This is a 2021 Stelling Afton Star, serial number 7224, built by Stelling Banjo Works in Afton, Virginia. It is one of the last banjos made by Geoff Stelling during his illustrious career. The Afton Star is built without a metal tone ring, which makes it a much lighter banjo than a typical Stelling.

In the demo, Geoff Hohwald puts it plainly: "he made them without a tone ring, so they're a lot lighter. So if you're my age and have, you know, concerns about your back or something, this is definitely the banjo to buy, particularly if you want a Stelling." He also calls these "real rare," and says this one sounds great.

Instead of a metal tone ring, the Afton Star uses a Tony Pass rim, stamped inside the pot. As Geoff describes it, "it's got a wood tone ring, if you want to call it that. I believe the tone ring and the shell are one and the same."

The neck and resonator are mahogany, and the resonator is bound in black. The fingerboard and peghead overlay are ebony, with the Stelling name inlaid on the peghead and a pearl plaque engraved "Afton Star" on the fingerboard. Nickel hardware, including the Stelling engraved tailpiece. The label inside the rim reads "Product of Stelling Banjo Works, Ltd., Afton, Virginia, USA," and the serial number 7224 is written on the rim.

In Geoff's words, the banjo is "in extraordinarily good condition, and it sounds great." There are light surface marks on the plating of the bracket band and some dust inside the resonator, both visible in the photos.

Our banjo tech Tara sets up every instrument by hand before it leaves the shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It ships in its high quality hardshell case.

• 2021 Stelling Afton Star, serial 7224
• Built by Stelling Banjo Works, Afton, Virginia, USA
• One of the last banjos made by Geoff Stelling
• No metal tone ring, Tony Pass rim, lighter than a typical Stelling
• Mahogany neck and resonator, black resonator binding
• Ebony fingerboard and peghead overlay, pearl "Afton Star" plaque
• Nickel hardware, Stelling engraved tailpiece
• High quality hardshell case
• Right-handed. Made in the USA

Geoff Hohwald is the author of The Banjo Primer and has been selling fine banjos since 1980, now based in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Free shipping. 7-day satisfaction guarantee. Call or text Geoff at (404) 218-8580.