1970s Epiphone (Japan) Mastertone-Style Resonator 5-String Banjo (VIDEO! Lightweight, Fresh Repairs)

Quick notes: 1) I own this instrument. 2) I've done it all up and it's ready to go! 3) Please read the following text for full details and specs -- it's borrowed from my original blog post on it...

This banjo is really similar to Iida and Alvarez-branded banjos of the mid-'70s. It's made in Japan and features Mastertone-style construction complete with a flathead tonering and one-piece flange mated to a thicker, multi-ply maple rim. The trick, however, is that the tonering, flange, and tension hoop are all made from aluminum. This banjo weighs-in at 7 lbs on the dot -- compare that to the 10-14 lbs of a typical Mastertone-style setup -- and it sounds the business.

I've owned the Iida iteration of this banjo several times and enjoyed them a lot because they do the bluegrassy thing really well without killing your shoulder. The tone is not quite as "sharp" as a normal flathead tonering -- it's got a bit of a mellower "burr" rather than a "ping" or "pop" in the highest registers.

I bought this instrument from a friend of mine and while it did come with some nicer tuners (than factory-fit) installed, I did need to repair a little damage at the 5th peg area and reinstall it. I also replaced a black Remo head (non-original) with an older Remo head that looks more like what would have been on the banjo when new and has some neat wear on it.

There was a little more to do as well but post-repairs it plays spot-on -- quick and easy and fast.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, replacement head, replacement (compensated) bridge, restring, cleaning, 5th peg reinstall, setup, etc.

Weight: 7 lbs 0 oz

Scale length: 26 1/2"

Nut width: 1 3/16"

Neck shape: medium C/soft V

Board radius: flat

Head diameter: 11”

Resonator diameter: 13 3/4"

Depth overall at rim: 3 1/2"

Rim wood: multi-ply maple

Tonering: flathead (aluminum!)

Bridge: maple/ebony 2-fot Grover

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)

String gauges: 10, 22w, 14, 12, 10

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium vintage

Condition notes: aside from minor usewear (some scratches on the resonator, some discoloration to the hardware here and there, minor wear on the head) and a little repair to cracked finish/chip-out around the 5th peg on the side of the neck, it's actually in good order and has all of its original hardware (save bridge and head). Oops, there's also some old repair to minor chipout at the headstock from when the tuners were installed back in the day.

It comes with: a nice hard case.and a leather banjo strap.