the latest version of this high grade modern banjo from Saga, offered at an attractive price.
This model has an 11” x ¾” thick 3-ply maple rim with a heavy cast bronze flathead tone ring, cast one-piece flange & heavy-duty nickel-plated metalwork - 24 brackets and a Kerschner tailpiece. The plating is now pretty good. Fitted with a 5-Star head. The truss rodded mahogany neck is quite slim with a cream bound ebony fingerboard and Gibson-style (Wreath) inlaid position markers. The scale length is 26 ¼” with 22 frets. Modern banjo fretting , nicely done and hand-dressed in our workshop to give an excellent playing surface. The action is set-up low but is adjustable as required. Fitted with good quality planetary banjo tuners and a geared 5th string peg. The neck is finished in clear gloss lacquer which matches the body & resonator well - the finish is good. The resonator is the standard convex type with twin purfling rings attached with 4 "Gibson" style lugs/thumbscrews.
Overall, this banjo is well built and good value for money. It has a bright, loud tone suitable for any open chord tuning. A good bluegrass banjo which would suit a player of any standard and which compares well with other instruments costing a great deal more money.
In common with all the prices on this website, the figure shown is for the banjo alone. If required, the standard hard case can be supplied for £50. Delivery charge to most UK postcodes is only £10 making a total of £1255 delivered to your door - though, unlike most websites, you don't have to buy the case if you don't need it. This total includes all charges (Customs clearance, Import duty and VAT - about £210 in total) so that there is nothing further to pay.
You get a first class set-up job, a UK-based warranty, the benefit of the 14 day "exchange or refund" option - and all for a price which is competitive with a direct import from the USA!
This model has been favourably compared to many much more prestigious banjos on various consumer websites.