This banjo delivers warmth, volume, clarity with elegant workmanship.

Why We Love This

Players go back and forth over the effect that rim size has on a banjo's tone. Given that most of the 19th and early 20th century banjos were 11", that is the sound that many of us are accustomed to. In an effort to deliver a little more low end "bass" to the typically tight, crisp 11" tone, modern builders, and players, are turning more and more to the 12" rim. But the tone ring chosen for this size is critical. Not enough weight and mass and one ends up with a muddy tone without the clarity and definition most players are after. This lovely Walnut Whyte Laydie from Rickard Banjos gets the job done with a perfect mix of head size and mass. The Whyte Laydie tonering has long been a favorite among melodic banjo players for its volume and clarity and the walnut rim adds the necessary warmth that more traditional Old Time players enjoy. Put it all together and this Rickard delivers everything one could want in a banjo with elegance and polish to boot.