Sponsored By
 
Hawthorn Top Tension Banjo
 
Peghead Nation instructor Wes Corbett demonstrates his main banjo.
September 23, 2019

Introduced by Gibson in 1937, top-tension rims allow the player to adjust the head’s tension from the top, rather than requiring the removal of the resonator to gain access to the lug nuts. The design offered convenience and a modified tonality. But the design didn’t end up revolutionizing the banjo world as Gibson had hoped, and as a result, top-tension models (the RB-7, RB-12, and RB-18) were phased out again by 1943. But top-tension banjos still have a dedicated following of players. Among them is Peghead Nation’s Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo instructor Wes Corbett. While Wes was in the Peghead Nation studio shooting the first batch of lessons for his new course, he demonstrated his Hawthorn Top Tension banjo for us. 

Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Hawthorn instruments are built by Bradford & Company Fine Instruments, which was founded by Glenn Bradford and Mark Franzke in 2014. In addition to its line of banjos, the company also offers flattop guitars and A- and F-style mandolins. 

Built in the style of a Gibson RB-7, Wes’s Hawthorn has a maple neck, solid maple resonator with flat inside surface, and large peghead. The neck has a radiused fingerboard with fifth-string spikes installed. The instrument has a Price tailpiece, and Wes is currently using a Snuffy Smith bridge given to him by Ned Luberecki. An easily removable armrest allows full access to the adjustment nuts that allow tensioning of the head from the face of the banjo. Wes keeps the head of his banjo tuned fairly low, at about F#. “It’s where Béla Fleck has kept his banjo for a long time,” he explains. “It opens up more sustain and overtones, so that the tone is more complex. It may not have as much punch as a typical bluegrass banjo, but it’s part of my sound.” 

In this video, Wes plays a couple of tunes and discusses the banjo and why it works for his playing style. hawthornbmg.com

 

Related Fine Lutherie Posts
 

Riley Baugus Round Peak–Style Banjo

Peghead Nation instructor Bill Evans demonstrates a special open-back banjo.

Read More

 

Jim Hartel Minstrel Banjos

Bill Evans demonstrates two reproductions of 19th-century banjos.

Read More

 

Evie Ladin’s Open-Back Banjo

Peghead Nation Clawhammer Banjo instructor found her dream instrument by chance.

Read More

 

The Nashville Guitar Company

Fretboard Journal mini-documentary focuses on renowned luthier and musician Marty Lanham.

Read More

 

2008 Duff F-5

Mike Compton demonstrates his F-5 mandolin built by Australian luthier Paul Duff.

Read More

 

2004 Gilchrist Model 4

Mike Compton demonstrates his oval-soundhole, F-4-style Gilchrist.

Read More

 

2009 Gilchrist Model 1

John Reischman demonstrates his round soundhole Gilchrist.

Read More

Bruce Molsky  

2015 Ewen Thompson Fiddle

Bruce Molsky demonstrates one of his favorite fiddles.

Read More

 

Two Sexauer Violins

Luthier Bruce Sexauer demonstrates his latest violins.

Read More

 

Lawrence Smart A-Style Mandola

John Reischman demonstrates his mandola.

Read More

 
Sponsored By
 
 
 
Peghead Partners
 
Shubb Violet Sky C1vs 50th Anniversary Edition
A beautifully etched capo with a lush finish and iridescent hardware, celebrating 50 years of creating the worlds” finest capos.
 
 
 
 
 
  Follow Us:  
 
  About Us       Shop         Support         Contact Us         Email Sign up         Advertise         Sitemap         FAQ         Privacy         Terms         Subscribe   Sign In  
 
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
 
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
 
© Copyright 2020 PegheadNation.com
 
 
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
 
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
 
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
 
 
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
 
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
 
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
 
© Copyright 2020 PegheadNation.com