This is a rare Epiphone Black Gem banjo and possibly the one ever built. This could have been a prototype that was never launched into production. In 1925 Epiphone announced a new line of banjos consisting of White Beauty, Bluebud, Blackbird, and Golden Rod. Examples of the White Beauty and Golden Rod have been documented as well as Black Beauty. This banjo is built like the Black Beauty with the heavy cast bronze archtop tone ring and heavy brass flange similar to the early Recording flanges.
The banjo is setup for Irish trad playing and sounds as you would expect from a quality built Epiphone. New geared tuners, new Remo "cloudy" head, new bridge, and new strings were installed.
Neck - unknown wood with black painted finish
Rim - unknown wood with black painted finish, heavy tone ring and flange described above, black painted resonator.
Setup - GDAE
Case - Vintage, well fitting, possibly original
Notes - Some scratches to the finish, damage to side of armrest.
Specs:
- Scale length -23"
- Nut width - 1.10
- # of frets - 19
- Weight - 9lbs 2oz
- Action height - .080" at 12th fret
- Strings - nickel 12, 18w, 26w, 36w
- Bridge - maple/ebony 3 leg 5/8"
- Head - Remo Cloudy
- Serial number - no