A Virtuoso Design
For the new B160, Washburn collaborated with banjo virtuoso Sonny Smith, winner of the 1998 National Banjo Championship. Sonny, who now performs full time in Dollywood, was eager to discuss his ideas for the instrument.
"Back in the day, banjos were mainly played by women. As a result, the instrument developed with a very narrow fretboard. We've given this instrument a wider fretboard to accommodate bigger fingers. We've also moved the 5th string nut between the 5th and 6th fret for improved tone, sustain and intonation."
Washburn also redesigned the headstock. It's a little smaller than the ones found on modern banjos and it's fully bound with old style inlays. "Banjo players just like that vintage look," Sonny explained.
Washburn Banjos
All Washburn Banjos come with a flat head design, tension tailpiece and Remo high tension head. Pick one now and pick forever. For traditionalists, you'll find all the tone & projection you'd expect from a world class instrument. From tone ring to Inlay, it's what a great banjo should be. All Washburn instruments are backed up with a limited lifetime warranty which pretty much guarantees that you will be performing now and for years to come.