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 "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special")
This one-of-a-kind, commemorative banjo was presented by ZEPP Country Music, Inc. to Kevin Fore, the winner of the Old Time Banjo Contest at the 3rd Annual Hoppin' John Fiddlers' Convention at Shakori Hills (near Pittsboro, NC) 18-19 September 2009.
The banjo was made by Mike Ramsey especially for ZEPP Country Music in celebration of this festival (note the 12th fret inlay!), and we presented it as our way of saying "congratulations" to the winner!
Note that another, similar, but slightly less ornate Ramsey banjo was presented to one of the contestants in this contest to be chosen at random. That is, he didn't even have to win the contest to win a Ramsey banjo!
See and hear this banjo (6.7mb)
L to R: Donald ZEPP, Kevin Fore, Marc Miller (Store Manager)
 "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special back") |
The Winner's banjo has a 3-piece maple neck mated to a 12-inch maple pot |  "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special fingerboard") |
The scooped ebony fingerboard has a distinctive inlay pattern.
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 "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special neck") |
The neck is nicely flamed. |  "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special heel") |
The maple pot is painted black, and the metal plating is all nickel.
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 "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special 12th") |
The Winner's banjo has a special 12th fret inlay commemorating the Hoppin' John Festival. |  "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special Award Inlay") |
The scooped ebony fingerboard has a special inlay in celebration of the contest winner's accomplishment!
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 "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special peghead") |
The peghead is a Mike's classic shape, and has a unique moon inlay in its ebony overlay. |  "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special tuners") |
Mike has used 5-Star planetary tuners on this one. | |
 "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special tone ring") |
The 12-inch maple pot has a rolled brass tonering. |  "Ramsey Hoppin' John Festival Winner's Special head") |
It's set up with a No-Knot tailpiece and a Renaissance brand head and has the classic "Ramsey" sound. |