At the Christie show today, I bought a junker 4-string banjo with a project in mind. When I get around to it (I’m going to finish the mountain banjo I’m working on and make a couple gourd banjos first), I’m going to fix it up and convert it to a 5 string open-back banjo. The rim is in good shape but could use refinishing. The head is maybe ok. Hardware should be replaced. I’ll build a new neck. I’ll decide later on if this one will be fretless or if it will be my first foray into fretting.

junker banjo