2020s Koda (McNeela) Resonator Tenor Banjo (VIDEO! Fresh Work, Ready)

Quick notes:

• Most instruments I sell are consigned but some are my own.
• Repairs and adjustments have been done, if necessary, and this item is ready to go unless otherwise noted!
• I usually ship within 2-3 days to allow for me to inspect and adjust instruments if need-be before boxing. If you need faster shipping please get in touch right away!
• Buyer pays shipping expenses both ways on returns. I include shipping in my listing pricing but returns are not free. Please consider carefully and ask all questions before buying an item.
• Please read the following text for full details and specs -- it's borrowed from my original blog post on it...

Overview: The Koda brand is sold by McNeela in Ireland but it's an instrument that's most-likely made in Indonesia or China. This same one-piece aluminum rim+tonering design has been used on import banjos since the '60s but this current version of it seems to have had a tooling update because it's cut crisp and clean.

As you might expect, the necks and general build quality of this style of import is also greatly-improved over previous decades -- it has decent tuners, a well-functioning truss rod, and the neck on this is purpose-built for its intention to be used as a short-scale, GDAE-tuned, "Irish" tenor instrument. It sounds a lot better (more punchy, more crisp) than older iterations, too. I think most of that has to do with the better neck design, though, frankly.

So -- yes! -- a good, entry-level tenor for someone wanting to play Celtic tunes nice and fast and not deal with the longer, 23" scale of most resonator tenor offerings. It's got plenty of get-up-and-go to cut through in session work, too, while also not having too-bright or piercing a tone for those listening.

Repairs included: I gave it a good setup. I also installed two, smaller, "keeper" bolts through the rim and into the heel so that the neck does not want to twist off-axis which is a very common issue with this neck style and coordinator-rod setup style (it has one rod with a turnbuckle in the middle). It's playing spot-on, is nice and stable, and is ready to go.

• Weight: 6 lbs 0 oz
• Scale length: 19 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium-deeper C/V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.81"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.81"
• Head diameter: 11”
• Resonator diameter: 13 1/4"
• Depth overall at rim: 2 7/8"
• Rim wood: aluminum
• Tonering: integral
• Bridge: maple/ebony compensated
• Fretboard: rosewood-like
• Neck wood: mahogany-like
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 42w, 32w, 24w, 11 for GDAE tuning
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: This is basically a new instrument with just the lightest usewear.

It comes with: It has a branded gigbag.

Consignor tag: TISA