Chuck Lee, 2008 Custom

Price: $2,100.00 USD

*** Just wanted to correct a couple of errors in the original version of this ad. It implied that earlier Chuck Lee banjos have more of Chuck's labor in them, but in fact his practice hasn't changed since he began building. Chuck's wife has always provided some help in general parts marking and some sanding between finishes, and that continues. Chuck has never had any employees or had anyone else do substantial work on a banjo. Also I had wrongly stated that Chuck has made about a dozen banjos over the last five years – in fact, Chuck has made about a dozen banjos in EACH of the last five years. Apologies for the misconceptions through poor fact-checking! ***

Anyhow – on with the description:

This is a superb, beautiful, banjo from one of the finest builders in the country. It's so easy to play, amazingly responsive, and capable of a range of exquisite tones. The Electric tone ring gets you a chiming, focused delicacy, but it can also easily cut through at high volume without harshness - and you can really dig in heavily without it becoming crashy! Really a super versatile banjo that does everything from melodics to Round Peak.

The build-quality is truly astonishing! And I love the unfussy, ageless, minimalist look. It's in wonderful almost new condition -- free of dings or scratches, with barely perceptible signs of being played. This is banjo #472, falling about halfway through Chuck's production, so made by an established builder who's mastered his craft. A great chance to acquire a fine instrument from a master luthier.

A close cousin of this banjo would be one of Chuck's current "stock" options, the Glen Rose.

FEATURES:

• 11" old-wood maple rim, made from Great Lakes sunken/recovered lumber

• Electric/White Laydie tone ring. (Per Chuck himself, the Electric is a "Whyte Laydie tone ring but without the scallop band inverted. The Electric tone ring came first, then the scallop band was inverted by David Day of Fairbanks while making the Whyte Laydie.")

• Walnut neck, with ebony lamination, truss rod

• Classic "Chuck Lee" heel, with ability to easily adjust action

• Ziricote fretboard & peghead overlay

• Waverly tuners

• 18 frets before the scoop

• Original frets, with no signs of wear

• Scalloped bone nut

• Side position pearl markers

• Railroad spike at 7th fret Sale includes: hard-shell bump case, Bart Veerman compensated bridge, two moon bridges of differing heights, mute, capo, tension wrench

I'm the second owner of this banjo, having acquired it from a Banjo Hangout member.


NB. I'm posting this banjo on other sites. I'll update this listing asap if it sells elsewhere, but just want to warn there is a very slight chance that I'll have to cancel a transaction on this site if there's an overlap.

Shipping: Local pick-up only, Brooklyn NY

Posted By: pepstepper
United States, Brooklyn, NY, 11238

Condition of Banjo: Used - Excellent Condition

Type: 5-String Openback, Brand: Custom Made

Ad Status: Active, #115117, viewed 836 times