Washburn Americana B16 5-String Maple Banjo, Tobacco Sunburst
The Washburn Americana B16 is a 5-string maple resonator banjo with flame maple back and sides, a bell brass tone ring and an ebony fingerboard, in a tobacco sunburst finish. It is for the bluegrass player who wants an adjustable instrument built for the stage and for demanding jams, supplied with its case.
What sets it apart
- Bell brass tone ring
- Maple resonator and rim, flame maple back and sides
- Ebony fingerboard with fancy inlays
- Five geared planetary tuners
- Two separate coordinator rods, case included
The sound of bell brass
Bell brass is the traditional alloy for the heavy tone rings on bluegrass banjos. Set under the head, it gives a powerful attack and a note that carries a long way in a room. On the B16, it sits on a maple rim, a dense wood that keeps the sound clear.
Adjustable by the player
Two coordinator rods run through the rim. They keep it round and allow fine adjustment of the neck angle, and therefore string height. The five planetary tuners, including the one on the 5th string, turn precisely while keeping the look of traditional pegs.
The clamshell tailpiece, chrome armrest and one-piece flange complete the pot.
On stage
The maple neck carries a 22-fret ebony fingerboard on a 26 3/8-inch scale, with fancy inlays. The gloss tobacco sunburst runs from honey to dark brown over the flame maple resonator, and the supplied case follows the banjo from one venue to the next.
Specifications
| Tone ring | Bell brass |
|---|---|
| Rim and resonator | Maple |
| Back and sides | Flame maple |
| Flange | One-piece |
| Tension hoop | Die-cast, 11 in |
| Neck | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Ebony, fancy inlays |
| Scale length | 26 3/8 in (670 mm) |
| Tuners | 5 geared planetary |
| Adjustment | Two separate coordinator rods |
| Finish | Gloss tobacco sunburst |
| Case | Included |
What it's for
- Bluegrass with a band, on stage and in jams
- Players who set their own string height
- Touring and frequent travel
- Recording where the clarity of every note counts
Compared with other manufacturers
Resonator banjos with a heavy tone ring from other manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Model | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Washburn | B16 | Flame maple, bell brass, ebony, case included |
| Gold Tone | OB-150 | Bell brass flat-top ring, 14-inch maple resonator |
| Recording King | RK-R35-BR | Cast bell brass, padauk fingerboard |
| Deering | Artisan Goodtime Special | Steel tone ring, poplar and maple resonator |
Frequently asked questions
- Bell brass or rolled brass: what's the difference?
- Bell brass is a hard alloy cast into a heavy ring: it gives a more powerful, longer-sustaining note, the bluegrass benchmark. Rolled brass is lighter, sounds brighter and decays faster.
- What are the two coordinator rods for?
- They keep the rim round and allow small adjustments to string height. For a larger change, it is better to adjust the neck angle or swap the bridge.
- Planetary or guitar-style tuners: which hold better?
- Planetary tuners keep the traditional banjo look and allow quick tuning changes. Guitar-style tuners, with a higher gear ratio, are finer, but they stick out from the sides of the headstock.
Avis clients
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.