A Maple prewar style bluegrass banjo made like the classic banjos of the 1930's with the same materials and the same weight, design and features, the Golden Era is one of the most popular banjos for traditional bluegrass bands. It is comparable with competitive banjos costing considerably more and far more accurate to the original models than other current production banjos. For the classic sound, appearance and feel of the prized banjos from the 1930's, at The Golden Era banjo is a unique model of the Deering line. It is designed to produce the most sought-after sound, a sound previously only achieved by five-string banjos of the pre-war era. This beautiful banjo has a Genuine Deering'06 20-hole bell bronze tone-ring, the drum assembly and neck shape are designed for the traditional crisp and strong bass notes as well as the distinct clear high tones of the cherished bluegrass sound.

The unique features of the Golden Era are the thicker neck shape which creates more sustain and the deeper resonator which provides that warm gutsy tone.  This banjo offers an ebony fingerboard, which was previously a custom option. The flame Eastern hard rock maple of the neck and resonator are stained with a cremona sunburst stain. Mother-of-pearl inlays are the traditional "Hearts and Flowers" pattern.  The Maple rim is turned to traditional dimensions and mounted with a zinc flange, twenty-hole virgin bell bronze tone-ring and presto style tailpiece with careful attention to original dimensions to recreate the sound and performance traditionalists desire.

This banjo has a huge sound that puts other banjos to shame.  The tone is clear, bright and punchy, without the brittle high end sometimes associated with banjos.  The highs are warm and bell like, with lots of sustain and resonation while maintaining outstanding clarity up and down the neck.  The low end is round and full.  Virtually unlimited power means you'll give even the loudest "banjo killers" a run for their money, as this banjo is definitely quite loud.  It's no wonder you hear these exact banjos on albums from Josh Williams, Herb Pederson, Byron Berline, etc.  This is the banjo you've been looking for!

This banjo has some slight rough spots around the binding that are not large enough to be photographed.  There is some discoloration on the head, viewable in the photograph.  Original hardshell case included.

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