C. 2008 Bales Mahogany 5-String Banjo Used

Ronnie Bales has retired from building, but as a luthier who worked alone, he never built many banjos. During his active years, though, an impressive selection of A-list pickers used his instruments, including Bela Fleck, Bill Evans and Noam Pikelny.

This mahogany was built in 2008 and has Bales’s own “Turbo Rim” shell, and his proprietary tone ring. Bales also uses a slightly deeper resonator, which adds some sustain and bottom to the tone. It’s in excellent condition but shows slight signs of use as it has been played. There are spikes at the 7th and 9th fret under the 5th string. You can find a ding or two to the finish on the back of the resonator, and a small spot on the neck barrel behind the 9th fret, probably from the neck rest on a stand.