SOLD SOLD PENDING! Deering 'Jens Kruger-Eagle II' Openback Banjo, Price Reduced to $1,849 + $175 Shipping

Price: $1,849.00 USD

SOLD!!! Pending Funds

NOW!!! PRICE REDUCED TO $1,849 FOR QUICK THANKSGIVING SALE!!!

***Custom Deering 'Jens Kruger-Eagle II' Hybrid Openback Banjo, Exc. Cond. -- $1,995 + $175 Shipping***

I am the original and sole owner of this custom made Jens Kruger-Eagle II banjo. I've had it for about ten years, and since I can no longer play due to medical reasons, it's time to pass this beautiful 5-string on to someone who can actually make music with it.

This banjo started out as a resonator banjo with the accompanying flange plates. When I first took possession of the banjo, I fiddled around with set ups, head changes, string gauge variations, bridges, etc., etc., etc... But it never really hit the nail on the head for the sound I was after. Oh, the sound? Well, it has a Deering Twenty-Ten tone ring in it. I love the sound of the Deering Eagle II, but I also love the look of Jens Kruger's expensive Deering banjo. So I got with the folks at Deering to see if they would make a Jens Kruger banjo but with the configuration of an Eagle II pot. Since it was Greg Deering and Jens Kruger who designed and worked on the Twenty-Ten tone ring, the "engine" that makes the Eagle II soar, Deering said no problem! And a hybrid was born.

As I stated earlier, this banjo started out as a resonator model, but after a couple of years I decided to configure it as an openback and, man, this is where this banjo REALLY shines! And I've kept it as an openback ever since.

Since this is technically a Jens Kruger-model banjo, all the stops were pulled and only the best of materials were used to build it. A gorgeous piece of AAA-grade curly maple was selected for the neck -- there are absolutely no flaws in this wood, it is just uniformly beautiful from tip of peghead to butt of heal.

Forgot to mention: this banjo is equipped with STAINLESS STEEL frets, hence, no fret wear... anywhere!

As with all Deering banjos, the three-ply rim is made from "violin-grade maple" wood.

Okay, now here is where my hand came into creating the final end product you see in the supplied photos:
--First, I removed the notched tension hoop in favor of a new, grooved tension hoop. I was trying to give the banjo the look and feel of an old turn-of-the-century masterpiece.
--Next, I removed the original L-bracket shoes in favor of nickel-plated brass ball shoes which further lent to the look of a 100-year-old five-string banjo.
--A "Deering" branded Skin Tone head was used to replace the original white frosted-top head. The Skin Tone is a cross between a Fiberskyn and Renaissance head which affords a mellower tone that has a bit less sustain but still with good clarity and note distinction, and without the soul-crushing, sound-killing attributes of those horrid Fiberskyn atrocities! (heh, sorry, I sort of got carried away there)
--A matching Deering maple-top armrest replaced the cold and impersonal look of the original (quick side note: these Deering wood-top armrests are GREAT!... very comfortable and they look terrific! "Hey, Greg, can I get my five bucks now?").
--Finally, to top it off, flat tension hooks were used to pull everything together... no, literally, they "pulled" everything together!
--Oh, almost forgot, and a brand new Deering gig bag to swaddle and cradle your banjo with tender loving care... or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

All in all, I believe this banjo has succeeded in being transformed into a strikingly visual throwback to bygone days when the banjo ruled supreme... or pretty darn close to it!

The sale price of this Jens Kruger hybrid banjo is NOW ONLY $1,849, plus an additional $175 for shipping, insurance and tracking via the US Postal Service (USPS). IMPORTANT NOTE: If the actual cost of shipping is less than $175, you will be reimbursed the balance via PayPal or personal check (your choice); however, if the cost is more than the stated $175, I will eat the difference and I HATE eating the difference.

Sorry, this sale is limited to the 48 contiguous United States (i.e., the Lower Forty-Eight). No sales to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, or any foreign destinations. :o(

If interested, please contact me through The Banjo Hangout. And as always, thanks for looking!

Shipping: $175 Shipping, Insurance & Tracking via US Postal Service (USPS)

Posted By: Stu D Baker-Hawk
United States, Henderson, NV, 89002

Condition of Banjo: Used - Excellent Condition

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Type: 5-String Openback, Brand: Deering

Ad Status: Sold, #102056, viewed 1032 times