The Barnes & Mullins Troubadour BJ500M 5-string resonator banjo delivers exceptionally bright, natural acoustic projection, rapid note response, and exquisite heritage aesthetics for bluegrass picking, folk accompaniment, and multi-genre banjo performance. Named in homage to the historic 1895 music publication founded by Bowley Barnes and Albert Mullins, this premium instrument pairs a dense hard maple neck with a rolled brass tone ring and a figured burl maple resonator to ensure every note cuts through live acoustic ensembles with volume and dynamic clarity.
Figured Burl Maple Resonator and Rolled Brass Tone Ring
Constructed with a maple rim and a striking figured burl maple resonator, the Troubadour is engineered for maximum volume, crisp high-end definition, and snappy note attack. The resonator acts as a natural sound reflector, directing sonic energy forward to create the bright, focused voice essential for three-finger 'Scruggs' style bluegrass picking, country leads, and lively folk rhythms. Fitted with a rolled brass tone ring, a Remo Weatherking soundhead, and 24 individual brackets, the pot assembly delivers exceptional acoustic projection, tight low-end resonance, and consistent head tension across the entire playing surface.
Hard Maple Neck and Ovangkol Fingerboard
The neck is crafted from solid hard maple, a dense tonewood chosen to prevent string energy from being absorbed into the wood grain. This rigid construction ensures efficient string vibration transfer directly from the bridge into the soundhead, enhancing overall volume, sustain, and acoustic response. Topped with a smooth ovangkol fingerboard housing 22 frets, a 31 mm nut width, and intricate mother of pearl patterned inlays, the neck provides comfortable, rapid navigation for fast-tempo scalar runs, position shifts, and complex chord shapes across a full 26.3" (67.0 cm) scale length.
Antique Gold Hardware and Traditional Planetary Tuners
Adorned with antique gold hardware throughout—including an engraved flange, matching tailpiece, armrest, and tension hoop—the Troubadour offers a distinctive vintage visual appeal. Traditional planetary machineheads provide smooth, direct-gear tuning control and authentic headstock alignment, keeping Open G, Drop C, and custom tunings stable during long performance sets and jam sessions. A maple bridge with an ovangkol tip completes the assembly, ensuring balanced string spacing and articulate tone transfer.
Barnes & Mullins Troubadour BJ500M 5-String Banjo Specifications
- Model Name - Troubadour.
- Model Number - BJ500M.
- Instrument Type - 5-string resonator banjo.
- Style - 5-string resonator.
- Resonator Material - figured burl maple.
- Rim Material - maple.
- Tone Ring - rolled brass.
- Head Type - Remo Weatherking.
- Bracket Quantity - 24 brackets.
- Neck Material - hard maple.
- Fingerboard Material - ovangkol.
- Number of Frets - 22.
- Fingerboard Inlays - mother of pearl patterned inlays.
- Scale Length - 26.3" (67.0 cm).
- Nut Width - 31 mm.
- Bridge - maple with ovangkol tip.
- Tuners - traditional planetary machineheads.
- Flange - antique gold engraved flange.
- Tailpiece - antique gold.
- Armrest - antique gold.
- Hardware Finish - antique gold.
- Truss Rod Cover - 'Troubadour' script.
- Overall Length / Dimensions - 67.0 cm scale length.
- Instrument Weight - 5.0 kg.
A dependable choice for bluegrass players, folk musicians, and discerning performers seeking authentic heritage craft, bright resonator volume, and classic antique gold appointments, the Barnes & Mullins Troubadour BJ500M earns its place on stage, in jam circles, and in recording studios.