Buckbee banjos date back as far as 1860's Little is known about the company or the builder but we do know he bought parts from other manufactures such as H.B. Smith and Son. As with many of these often copied banjos they had few markings. The better quality of the Buckbee banjos had a stamp J.H.B on the end of the neck and/ or the dowel stick. This one in particular has the classic figure eight headstock shape and a beautifully carved mahogany neck that has a gorgeous even flame down the neck. The finish is light and almost feels like an old worn in handrail. It retains the friction pegs that work very well for tuning, the tone is bright poppy and clean with very few overtones. The rim is spun over with 38 brackets and a thin maple wood inner rim. The neck attachment is supported by a period correct bar that extends from the back of the heel to the end of the dowel stick and then wraps over the end of the rim. This is a fine sounding instrument form an early era of banjos. This really is a players collectors piece. Included is an Eastman double bump hard case. scale: 25 1/4" nut width: 1-5/8"