We use only the best, choicest tone timbers available. These include Maple, Curly Maple, Mahogany, and Walnut. Our necks are all quarter sawn or two piece laminate, for superior stability in all environments. Our standard resonator is veneered, 4 ply rock maple construction, with 3/8" thick back which gives superior tone. Our resonators feature solid maple, tapered side walls. Our standard rims are Mastertone style 3-ply hard rock maple. Block pots are available on request in a choice of hard woods.
Neck
Dimensions.
One of the unique and desirable features of a Bellbird banjo is our variety of neck widths, to suit your individual hand size. The standard Bellbird neck width is slightly wider than normal, at 33mm at the nut and 48mm at the 15th fret. The average size of people has increased markedly from 100 years ago, when "standard" mastertone dimensions were being formulated. Many banjo players find banjo necks too narrow, with chording and pull-offs difficult because of other fingers interfering with the strings. The Bellbird Banjo neck is incredibly comfortable and easy to play, and is highly recommended. We can make necks at Gibson "standard" (30mm and 45mm), or anywhere in between. We can even go wider again if you have really big fingers! Simply discuss your requirements with us, ans if possible send us a photcopy of your open hand. We will do the rest.
Tone
Rings.
The beating heart of a Bellbird banjo is our expertly and precision made
tone ring. We have 2 models, the "Classica" and the "New Heritage".
The Classica is a lighter weight tone ring, and it's unique design produces
the closest sound yet to the classic "Scruggs" sound that Earl was getting
in his 50's recordings. It is a deep, powerful clean tone, with a real
nice "juicy twang" as we like to describe it.
The New Heritage gives an incredibly rich, pure bell-like tone, producing
an exceptionally versatile sound, suiting both traditional Scruggs pickers
and modern melodic/jazz exponents alike.
Remember that combining
one of our tone rings with each of the different timbers will vary the
sound, and you need to consider when choosing timbers the tonal variation
each will produce. Here a general guide:
Curly Maple - Punchier, brighter tone, fast note off the fingers,
with slightly lesser sustain.
Mahogany - Warmer, more juicy "Crowe" like tone, slightly more
sustain.
Walnut - Somewhere in between these 2, very powerful yet still
with a warm "timbery" note. Very responsive under the fingers.
Each of these tone rings is a result of extensive research and trial, and features our own secret patented alloy and design, as devised by master craftsman and European trained bellmaker William Jacobs. These magnificent tone rings are only available in the Bellbird line of banjos.
Finish.
We take exceptional pride and care in our finish. All our instruments
are mirror-finished to perfection with nitrocellulose lacquer. The lacquer
can be tinted to almost any color imaginable, and one of the advantages
in a custom made instrument is the fact that you can choose the color.
Simply let us know what you want when ordering. For a little extra we
can also produce Sunburst finishes in colors and shades of your choice.
High quality gold plating is standard on Bellbird banjos. If you desired a "nickel" like finish, we plate in Hard Chrome. We do not use nickel plated parts because we believe nickel is a substandard finish, prone to unsightly corrosion. For many people, nickel has also proven reactive to the skin, and it has ceased being used in many instances. We prefer the safer, harder, corrosive resistant qualities of high quality chrome.
Inlays.
We have 2 standard inlay patterns. The "Custom
Flying Eagle", and the "Bellbird
Style 3". You are not limited to these however, and we
can provide any pattern that can be found in the First
Quality Musical Supplies banjo catalogue, including the Wreath, Hearts
and Flowers, Florentine and many other style patterns. We also utilize
pearl whiz Dennis Eastmure (click
here for example), one of the country's finest inlay experts who designs
and produces our custom work. You can have your very own and totally unique
design on request. Fancy vines and intricate patterns are no problem.
We will provide very competitive quotes on any customizing of your inlay
patterns.
>>> Click here to see Larger images of fingerboards and headstocks.
Extras.
We prefer to use and recommend these quality inclusions on our standard
lines -
- Price Straight Line Tailpiece for improved tone, intonation and volume.
- The Stockwell Moon Bridge also for superior tone, stability, volume and intonation.
- Schaller tuners.
- 5 Star banjo heads.
- Dual-action truss rods.
- Pearl Truss rod covers.
- 5 Star medium banjo strings.
- Railway spike 5th string capo system standard on all instruments at frets 7,8,9 and 10.
- Antique ivoroid binding
If you wished to have any different components than those listed above, please let us know when ordering.
Cases.
All Bellbird banjos come with a magnificent fibreglass travel case, designed
and made specifically for the exclusive Bellbird range. This unique, superior
case is valued at AUD$695.00 (US$470.00), and features a reinforced
shell, extra large accessories compartment, strap recess, plush velvet
lining, 4 sturdy hinges (other cases only have 2) and a perfectly balanced
full leather handle. The Bellbird case is comparable to the Calton in
every respect, and is around 30% cheaper.