Circa 2013 Mike Ramsey Custom Zebrawood Woody

The late Mike Ramsey was one of the best regarded of modern "vintage old time" banjo makers. He began building in 1986, and in 1990 went into full time banjo production in Lebanon, Ohio. In 1994 he moved his shop to Appomattox, Virginia, and again in 2005 to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Around 2010 he moved to Pittsboro, NC. where this banjo was made. Ramsey's banjos manifest more eccentricity than those of his nearest compatriot/competitor Bart Reiter, and if sometimes slightly less cleanly made are always interesting and worthy instruments.

This particular instrument, serial number 2516, looks like it was built yesterday. It has very little play wear and looks to have spent most of its life in it's Superior arch-top case. What makes this instrument unique is Mike's use of Zebrawood for the fretboard, headstock overlay, and heel and rim cap. Currently strung with Aquila Nylgut but could easily be switched back to steel strings.

Amazing instrument from the late, great Mike Ramsey. 

• 12" Walnut pot with rosewood tone ring and zebrawood cap
• Walnut neck with zebrawood fingerboard and headstock overlay
• 5 star tuning machines
• Kershner-style tailpiece
• Aquila Nylgut strings
• 25-7/8th's scale
• Superior arch-top case