Lo Gordon-era Cedar Mountain Banjos Diller Model. Delivered January 2001, am original owner.
Other than being the best of the Diller Models ever built (IMHO), this one distinguishes among its cohort with
-a custom peghead shape based on a Martin tenor guitar (at my request)
-no inlay fretboard front for an unadorned clean and minimal look (let that maple do the talking)
-curly maple neck and rim cap (upgrades at the time)
ca. 2011 I had a Hoffee carbon fiber case built with internal fit precisely sized to the Diller Model spec. In excellent condition with a couple of surface scuffs. carbonfibercases.com/product/banjo-cases/.
Ordered during a March 2000 Diller retreat hosted at Lo’s workshop. (I was a Diller enthusiast and banjo camp irregular 1999-2007). There is no SN burned in, but has all the other hallmarks and signatures of the Diller Model run, including rosewood tone rim and the diamond marquetry band.
Excellent condition, and remarkable condition for a 25 y.o. instrument - just some patina to the hoop and hook hardware, and sweat and tears to the frailing zone on the head. This has the "dry leather/cracking whip" sound. It also has a warmth, power, and articulation and energy to every note across the entire (and generous) fretboard. For a demonstration of all of the above (straight to iphone mic, and on an outdated recording app - but gets the point across): on.soundcloud.com/dkw9Zg4SZBuItYcvR7
I recall someone wrote a review of their later-generation Cedar Mountain banjo, and described the neck as swift as Stratocaster - which is an accurate comparison on this particular Diller Model as well.
Currently set up (and ships with) a 3/4” bridge and - while I experimented with a Ren head on this one - think the frosted top banjo head is in fact its best partner - and set the original one back on. Just restrung with Pisgah Banjo Strings - though this takes lights nicely as well. n.b. the fretboard is a total ice rink with a 1/2” bridge.
Please check out the ca. 2000 CMB website screenshots (courtesy of the Wayback Machine) for other standard specs for the model. What became the Diller Model in the late 90s is what Dwight played on his Just Banjo 99 recording - check it out (if you haven’t) for how these banjos sound in their most capable hands.
Thought I would take this banjo with me into my pharaoh’s tomb. Alas significantly downsizing, building a warchest for new life phases, all that. And I have a custom fretless CMB - the lesser sounding of the CMB banjos in the quiver, but has the virtue (for someone with trashed joints from long ago surfing and paratrooper injuries) of a custom short scale. That said, not looking for trades.
$1990 + shipping to CONUS addresses. Includes the Hoffee Case - they are a bonded pair, thanks for asking. Local pickup on offer in Austin TX 78745. For your back of the napkin carrier estimates package is ~20pnds, ~53” x 19” x 7” box.
