The John Hartford model has two very special advantages. First, it is lighter in weight than most other banjos and second, it has an amazing tone. It sounds like a vintage, pre-war banjo. This banjo has a Grenadillo tone ring. Grenadillo (gren-ah-dee-yo) is the wood used in marimba keys because of its beautiful musicality. This tone ring is permanently bonded to our three-ply rock maple rim and fitted with our one piece cast zinc flange.

Like the very finest violins, the John Hartford banjo will mature with age, becoming richer, fuller and more powerful. While all banjos mature the more they are played, the John Harford banjo ages fast and quite dramatically.

A licensed river boat captain and author of the song, “Gentle on My Mind”, John Hartford requested inlays for this banjo inspired by river boat art. Combining the rock maple neck, rock maple resonator with tapered internal sidewalls, glued-in frets and a walnut stain with elegant satin finish, this banjo has a special place in music history.

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