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Personalised multi-point setup included

Before dispatch, your instrument will be treated to a full setup. That's not a quick tweak, but a full multi-point setup by an experienced guitar technician who will check and adjust every single thing on your guitar, bass, ukulele or banjo to ensure it is performing at its absolute best.

This is not a quick process but we believe every instrument should go through our process to acheive an exacting standard of playability.

Frets

We start with the frets on your instrument. All guitar necks move and change over time so we will make sure that your frets are nice and flat as we go up the neck. We don't want any high or low spots as this will mean your guitar will need a higher than optimum action and potentially suffer with fret buzz.

We check and properly profile the playing surface of the frets and then make sure the fret ends are finished off properly. The fret is then polished to ensure smooth string bending.

Truss Rod

Then it's on to the truss rod. This metal rod differs from guitar to guitar (some guitars such as classical guitars don't usually have a truss rod!) and basically controls the "relief" or curve of the neck. Not enough relief and your strings won't have enough clearance over the other frets when playing. Too much relief and you'll have a high action which gets worse as you go up the neck.

The heavier the strings then the more the truss rod needs to work. Proper adjustment in the workshop means that the action will be just right for the strings fitted to your guitar.

Top Nut

The top nut is super important and is one of the two open contact points of your guitar. The technician will check and cut each slot to make sure the strings both run freely but are not sitting in a slot that's too big.

The top nut also plays a big part in the action of your guitar so we'll hit that sweet spot between too low and too high.

Saddle(s)

Another really important part of your guitar!

On an acoustic, the saddle is cut to the correct height making sure the bottom is 100% flat and straight. This means the string can transfer its vibration properly into the body of your guitar.

For electric guitars, the saddles are adjusted to ensure your intonation is perfect. We will also match the saddles to the radius of your fretboard.

Bridge / Tremolo

The bridge affects the break angle and string height of your guitar and is also responsible for holding your saddles.

For a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo system or similar, the spring tension has to be just right to allow the tremolo to return to its "zero point" and keep everything in tune.

For guitars with standard tremolos, we can set it to float and be used both up or down like a true tremolo or we can lock the trem block back so the tremolo will only go downwards.... the choice is yours!

Intonation

Intonation is the measure of how in-tune the guitar string is across the length of the fretboard and a guitar with badly set intonation will get more and more out of tune as the string is shortened when you play.

Tiny adjustments are made to each string where applicable to adjust its length and ensure that the intonation is set just right.

Overall Action

Once all the above has been completed, the guitar is checked for playability and fine adjustments are made. This step brings everything together and means your guitar will be set up optimally.

Machine Heads

Every machine head is operated and checked for function. We need to ensure that the machine heads operate smoothly.

Electrics

All the functions of your guitar are checked to ensure everything is working as intended.

For acoustic guitars we will check the functions of the EQ system and controls as well as check the internal cabling and jack socket.

For electric guitars, all the pickups are checked for function and tonal response. All controls and switches are operated to ensure they are functioning properly. The jack socket is checked.

Other Parts

All other parts such as strap pins, bushings, tuning buttons etc are fully checked.

Dispatch

All our instruments get the same premium treatment whether you purchase online or instore.

If you have purchased online, your guitar will be carefully packed ready for dispatch. You will receive a tracking link via email.

Happy playing :)

Barnes And Mullins BJ400 Rathbone 5 String Banjo
Barnes and Mullins
Barnes And Mullins BJ400 Rathbone 5 String Banjo

Barnes And Mullins BJ400 Rathbone 5 String Banjo

Combines traditional mahogany warmth, powerful acoustic volume, and smooth playability

SKU: BJ400
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£356.00
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Description

The Barnes & Mullins Rathbone BJ400 5-string resonator banjo combines traditional mahogany warmth, powerful acoustic volume, and smooth playability for bluegrass picking, folk accompaniment, and multi-genre banjo performance. Named in tribute to Rathbone Place—the London base of Bowley Barnes and Albert Mullins in the early 1900s—this acoustic instrument pairs a solid mahogany neck, rim, and resonator with a rolled brass tone ring to ensure fast, articulate note attack and projecting acoustic presence.

Mahogany Resonator and Rolled Brass Tone Ring Construction

Crafted with a mahogany rim and a matching mahogany resonator, the Rathbone produces a warm, rich acoustic voice with deep mid-range resonance and smooth sustain. The resonator acts as an acoustic reflector, directing sound forward to deliver the bright, assertive volume needed for unamplified jam sessions and fast-tempo 'Scruggs' style bluegrass picking. Fitted with a rolled brass tone ring, a Remo Weatherking head, and 24 individual brackets, the pot assembly delivers balanced head tension, crisp transient response, and consistent tonal depth across all five strings.

Mahogany Neck and Ovangkol Fingerboard Ergonomics

The solid mahogany neck features a classic profile designed to prevent string energy absorption, allowing string vibrations to transfer efficiently from the bridge into the soundhead. Topped with a smooth ovangkol fingerboard housing 22 frets, a 30 mm nut width, and mother of pearl patterned inlays, the neck offers comfortable hand positioning for rapid scalar runs, position shifts, and complex chord shapes across an extended 27.4" (69.7 cm) scale length.

Chrome Hardware and Traditional Planetary Tuners

Adorned with chrome hardware throughout—including a polished flange, matching tailpiece, armrest, and tension hoop—the Rathbone provides long-term structural durability. Traditional planetary machineheads deliver smooth, direct-gear tuning control and authentic headstock alignment, keeping Open G and Drop C tunings stable during long performance sets and practice sessions. A maple bridge topped with an ovangkol tip completes the assembly, ensuring clear string spacing and precise intonation setup.

Barnes & Mullins Rathbone BJ400 5-String Banjo Specifications

  • Model Name - Rathbone.
  • Model Number - BJ400.
  • Instrument Type - 5-string resonator banjo.
  • Style - 5-string resonator.
  • Resonator Material - mahogany.
  • Rim Material - mahogany.
  • Tone Ring - rolled brass.
  • Head Type - Remo Weatherking.
  • Bracket Quantity - 24 brackets.
  • Neck Material - mahogany.
  • Fingerboard Material - ovangkol.
  • Number of Frets - 22.
  • Fingerboard Inlays - mother of pearl patterned inlays.
  • Scale Length - 27.4" (69.7 cm).
  • Nut Width - 30 mm.
  • Bridge - maple with ovangkol tip.
  • Tuners - traditional planetary machineheads.
  • Flange - chrome flange.
  • Tailpiece - chrome.
  • Armrest - chrome.
  • Hardware Finish - chrome.
  • Truss Rod Cover - 'Rathbone' script.
  • Overall Length / Dimensions - 69.7 cm scale length.
  • Instrument Weight - 5.0 kg.

A dependable choice for bluegrass players, folk performers, and acoustic musicians seeking authentic heritage design, warm mahogany resonance, and classic chrome hardware, the Barnes & Mullins Rathbone BJ400 earns its place on stage and in the studio.

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