Starr Limited Edition 11" Tubaphone Tone Ring 5-String Openback Banjo

Starr Banjos represents exceptional value in handcrafted North American instrument craftsmanship. Constructed by luthier Chuck Ogsbury in Gold Hill, Colorado, this 11" 5-string openback features a tubaphone tone ring, a curly maple neck and cherry rim combined with abalone inlays. The hand-carved neck is individually shaped by Ogsbury for each instrument, ensuring consistent quality and playability. This banjo delivers the tonal characteristics and aesthetic refinement expected from a professionally made instrument, offering serious players access to superior craftsmanship at an accessible price point. This particular banjo exudes a warm tone with the notes providing a rounder and clear sound that is pleasing to the ears.  I truly love the sound of this one.  

Tubaphone Sound - The Tubaphone design was originated by the Vega Company at the turn of the 20th Century.  The key components comprise of a square brass tube with small holes drilled on its side to allow sound to pass into the banjo interior. On top of the square brass tube, is a rolled brass rod that makes contact to the banjo head.  Together they are held together with a thin sheet of brass.  In the end, the tonal result is a clear, bell-like tone with long sustaining, round notes that is pleasing to the ear. For an 11" rim, the overall tone is warm with great low end dominance.  We have a few other tubaphone banjos in stock and this one is a great banjo to add to your collection.  

If you don't know Chuck has been building banjos since the early 60's and is known for his other popular banjos companies of Ode and Ome Banjos.  Since his selling of Ome, he has been keeping himself busy creating these new banjos.  If you purchase a Starr Banjo, you are getting a banjo made with experience and dedication of a great builder of instruments.  

During my visit, I asked Chuck to go over the banjo's that we have picked out and you can review his video down below.  If you want to compare all three different sizes of the 11", 12" and 13" heads, scroll farther down and see a demo to hear the difference. 

This specific banjo has a maple neck and a cherry rim and not all maple as this video below discusses.