RESONATORS: Jimmy Cox, at his shop in Maine, assembles the un-bound resonators. Mr. Cox is regarded as the very best resonator builder in the country. We hand select the very best of the best to become Sullivan banjo resonators.

WOOD RIMS: The wood rim is steam bent and assembled by Jimmy Cox. The maple used in these 3-ply rims is the slow growth, cold climate, rock maple, harvested on the Canadian border. We hand select each rim for perfection before precision lathe fitting to the tone ring and flange. We like the depth and clarity produced by these fine maple rims. Old recovered wood and the Tony Pass block rims are an extra cost option.

METAL HARDWARE: All metal hardware is nickel or gold plated. Brass is used with two exceptions; the flange is die cast like the old original Mastertone and the hooks are made of steel, as were the old originals. Prucha hardware is standard.

TONERING: The tonering used is a custom bell metal 20 hole flathead especially designed for the Sullivan banjo. The Sullivan logo is tastefully engraved on the skirt and this tonering is cryogenically treated to 300 degrees below zero for 12 hours to artificially age the metal. No need to have to wait 50 years to get the best sound your banjo can produce. An archtop tonering is available as a special order item.

TAILPIECE: The Sullivan banjo now comes standard with the old original style, double hump adjustable clamshell tailpiece found on some of the most desirable banjos ever built.

TUNERS: Old style, Grover type, Pavel 4:1 ratio pancake tuners fitted with ivory buttons are standard. These are a smooth and very accurate tuner.

HEAD: The Sullivan banjo head is produced by the Ludwig Company and sports the Sullivan logo. Frosted top is standard, smooth white and clear are available.

BRIDGE: Sullivan Old Growth 5/8  is standard.

INLAYS: The Sullivan peghead is tastefully inlaid with a custom torch with the Sullivan name positioned in a graceful arch over the torch. The peghead is bound in real mother of Pearl and a mother of pearl truss rod cover rounds out the peghead package. The fingerboard is black ebony with a stylish, 10-inlay pattern and a name block at the 21st fret.

NECK SHAPING: The neck is patterned from examples of old original Mastertone necks we have in our shop. Width at the nut is slightly under 1-1/4" and about 1-15/16" at the heel including binding. The neck at the first five frets has the pre-war Gibson slight "V" feel, which the professional players like. The frets are medium banjo, 18% hard nickel silver. The frets extend over the binding to give a bit of extra playing width without the neck being any wider. The Sullivan neck has the basic size of a modern Mastertone with minor refinements.

FINISH: Each Sullivan banjo has a depth of finish and richness of color rarely seen in a banjo at any price. Each piece is carefully sanded to perfection, stained and finished with high gloss lacquer. Again hand sanded and final polished to a brilliance, which will last for years. Even the wood rim is finished with the same care.

CASE: A custom, TKL American Vintage series, hard-shell case is included. Features include 5-ply wooden frame construction with arched top and reinforced structural seams.