Deering Clawgrass No. 2

At Banjo Studio, we see a lot of incredible instruments, but every once in a while, a banjo comes along that completely rewrites the rules. The Deering Clawgrass No. 2 is one of those amazing instruments.

Created in collaboration with banjo visionary Mark Johnson—inventor of the "Clawgrass" style and recipient of the prestigious Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music—this instrument bridges two worlds. It delivers the warm, expressive character of an openback banjo with the explosive power, punch, and bell-like clarity of a full-scale bluegrass resonator model.

What Makes the Clawgrass No. 2 Unique?

1. The Pro-Level Tone Engine (In an Openback Body)

Traditional openback banjos often get drowned out in high-energy acoustic jams. The Clawgrass No. 2 solves this problem entirely. Built around Deering’s legendary -06- 20-Hole Bell Bronze Tone Ring mounted to a 3-ply violin-grade maple rim, this banjo produces an extraordinary amount of volume, crisp projection, and rich, lingering sustain normally reserved for top-tier bluegrass banjos.

2. The "Clawgrass" Wide Neck

Standard banjo necks can feel tight when you're executing intricate drop-thumbing or complex melodic runs. Mark Johnson specifically requested a slightly wider nut width (1.37" / 1-3/8") with a comfortable "D" profile. That subtle extra string spacing makes clean fretting, clawhammer strikes, and hybrid picking feel remarkably effortless and natural.

3. All the Sound of the Original Clawgrass

The original custom Deering Clawgrass banjo is an ornate, hand-engraved, 24K gold-plated work of art that costs upwards of $15,000. Mark Johnson approached Deering with a mission: keep 100% of the solid structural foundation, tone ring, wood grade, and playability, but streamline the aesthetics.

By utilizing sleek nickel hardware and pearloid inlays instead of gold leaf and intricate relief carving, Deering created the No. 2—a tour-ready workhorse that gives you identical pro-level tone and feel at a fraction of the price. In fact, Mark Johnson uses the Clawgrass No. 2 as his primary touring instrument!

4. California Walnut Craftsmanship

The neck is sculpted from rich, high-grade American/California Walnut, paired with a dark AA-grade ebony fingerboard and white/gold pearloid inlays (including a custom "Clawgrass No. 2" inlay at the 19th fret). It is as beautiful to look at as it is rewarding to play.

Why Banjo Studio loves the Clawgrass No. 2

• You'll Never Get Drowned Out Again: If you play clawhammer or old-time style but love joining fast bluegrass jams, this banjo ensures every note cuts cleanly through guitars, fiddles, and mandolins.

• Ergonomic Comfort: If you have larger hands or simply prefer roomier string spacing for clean picking, the custom 1.37" neck width is a game-changer for fatigue-free playing.

• Unmatched Versatility: Whether you play clawhammer, two-finger, melodic, or classic three-finger Scruggs style, the Clawgrass No. 2 responds with dynamic headroom and rich tonal depth across the entire fretboard.

• Handmade in the USA: Built by Deering's master craftsmen in Spring Valley, California, and backed by Deering’s Lifetime Warranty.