A rare and interesting banjo made by the famed Fred Van Eps. Van Eps helped pioneer the Rag Time and Jazz recordings in 1910-1920, and designed his own banjos for preferred sonic qualities for recording to wax cylinder. A spun over 12" figured maple rim, a simple rolled tone ring, these banjos famously feature the amplifying dish, making giving them a punchy high end tone that can cut through a recording and certainly in a group setting. A curved dowel rod, complete with Van Eps Patent plaque, helps seat the dish along with four additional shoe-screw mounted legs (see photos). Further, a single coordinating rod fine tunes neck angle adjustment at the heel. Original tailpiece present, with an added newer arm rest. The neck is made with a slightly flamed and birds-eyed maple profile with an ebony fingerboard. Simple diamond MOP inlay, the fingerboard features a small aluminum extension at the rim adding a few high helpful notes for the adventurous jazzer. The neck is built with a long 28.5" scale length. MOP Star inlay pattern adorns the peg head overlay. It comes equipped with original Planet tuners with ivoroid buttons, the fifth in ebony. Evidence of a past refret, the neck is nice and speedy with low action (currently setup nylon). Includes original hardshell case.