Description
Excellent original condition. No fret wear.
Bob Rock was a long-time maker of banjos in Pennsylvania. He was known for a level of good-quality banjos that had powerful sound, has recently passed away. This banjo is unique in many ways, but is also typical of his craftsmanship in various models. Neck is 3-piece that appears to be Sycamore, or Sycamore maple. One signature feature is the large, “hawk-nosed” volute behind the nut. Many people joke that you can hang the banjo from this volute, but Bob always said he did it to make the banjos stronger in the weakest area of the neck. Gabon ebony flat fingerboard, and peghead veneer. Peghead and fingerboard are heavily inlayed with large abalone icons. Abalone banner with Rock inscribed at top of peghead, with a star above that and “Fleur de Lis” below, and more abalone around the bottom tuner posts. Fingerboard shows indian motif with arrowheads, tomahawks, totem bird, peace pipe, canoe, arrow etc. Fingerboard bound with grained Ivoroid, showing red wood layer below. Ebony heelcap with same red wood layer. Resonator has Ivoroid binding on top and back. Wooden marquetry inlet into side of wooden rim, and side wall of resonator. Beautiful mountain scene on back of banjo of bald eagle flying above bison herd, with one bison large in the foreground. All nickel hardware including 5 Schaller tuners.
Bob was famous for having his own tone-rings made from aluminum, he had them cast and machined. The design appears as an archtop, but they are not like a traditional archtop tonering. This is a very powerful banjo, and is perfect for late night jamming when you need to be heard.
