Custom Rickard Dobson 11" Banjo Walnut with North Star Tailpiece

Banjo Studio is a big fan of Rickard Banjo.  We love the details that go into making these fine instruments and it is a pleasure to offer you this lovely sounding Custom Rickard Dobson. The Rickard Custom 11" Walnut Dobson Openback Banjo is a spectacular blend of classic 19th-century traditional aesthetics and flawless modern precision engineering. Handcrafted by master machinist and legendary builder Bill Rickard in Ontario, Canada, this banjo is constructed from premium North American walnut and outfitted with a complete suite of custom-machined proprietary hardware. Its 11-inch pot delivers a punchy, focused, yet remarkably warm and earthy voice that is the holy grail for clawhammer and old-time players alike.

What Makes It Unique

Every square inch of this custom banjo showcases why Rickard instruments are widely considered the gold standard in boutique openbacks.

• Premium North Star Tailpiece Upgrade: Moving beyond the standard configuration, this specific model comes fully upgraded with a stunning North Star Tailpiece, optimizing down-pressure over the bridge and adding a gorgeous touch of artisan class to the backend of the instrument.
• Custom Rickard Bullseye Style Bracket Shoes & Belly Style Tension Nut: This gives the exterior of the rim a unique look. 
• Acoustic Upgrade & Custom Woodwork: The 1/2-inch thick walnut rim is beautifully detailed with an elegant rim cap and an exquisite purfling band. The walnut neck is super-smooth and features a traditional Dobson-style heel and a two-way adjustable truss rod for maximum stability.
• Legendary Dobson Tone: Equipped with a custom antiqued brass Dobson tone ring, this instrument sings with a resonant, plucky sustain that fills the room without ever sounding harsh or brassy.  This tone ring is made in-house.
• Effortless Clawhammer Playability: Designed specifically with the player in mind, the 25.5" scale ebony fretboard is inlayed with tasteful acrylic star and features a custom "S" curve frailing scoop. This allows your thumb to comfortably move up over the neck joint to pull out those deep, round, and mellow native tones.
• The Rickard Cyclone 10:1 Tuners: This custom build features Rickard’s patented Cyclone tuners with an incredible 10:1 turning ratio and is fitted with faux tortoise buttons. They offer unparalleled, ultra-smooth micro-adjustments and rock-solid tuning stability that will stay locked in pitch anywhere you play.

Why Banjo Studio Loves this Banjo

This Rickard Banjo is truly one-of-a-kind and do not stay on our shelves for long. Bill Rickard's unparalleled attention to mechanical tolerances ensures that this banjo isn't just an instrument—it's an heirloom-quality tool that will perform flawlessly for decades. Whether you are cutting tracks in a recording studio or sharing tunes around a late-night festival circle, its rich tonal depth and striking antiqued brass appearance will instantly turn heads.  The walnut rim isn't something you see on Rickard very often, as well as adding the purfling band around the rim.  This is something that you normally find on the Cherry Little Wonder.  

When you purchase from Banjo Studio, you aren't just getting an instrument dropped at your porch. This banjo is fully set up — meticulously inspected, tuned, and optimized so it is completely ready to play the second it arrives. To top it off, we are including Free Shipping within the U.S. to kickstart your journey with your new dream openback!