Trick or treat! Just in time for HALLOWEEN!
This is a first-generation Deering Goodtime Zombie Killer 5-string resonator banjo--a difficult instrument to find--with fantastic upgrades included. A date of 2016 written in marker on the inside of the neck assembly leads me to believe that that is likely when this banjo was originally put together.
This earliest version of the Deering Zombie Killer limited edition model features a blonde maple neck, a three-ply maple rim, a maple resonator with a black-and-red "blood spatter" design on it, and a red powder-coated saw blade/zombie flange, as well as wooden zombie inlays down the neck.
I have added the following upgrades, all of which are included with the banjo:
*Black Rickard 10:1 cyclone tuning pegs, a major upgrade from the stock guitar-style tuners--it's hard to go back to any other tuners after using Rickards ($220)
*Little Mountain "Black Corian" wooden armrest--much more comfortable than the original metal armrest, and it looks great with the black head and tuners ($75)
*Deering black matte head--just like the 2nd and 3rd generation Zombie Killer banjos came with from the factory, and better looking than the original white frosted head ($30)
*Deering Goodtime leather strap--the only cradle banjo strap I've found that really works well with Goodtime banjos ($30)
*Purcell bridge (5/8" height, Crowe spacing)--a top-notch banjo bridge, and no longer available for purchase, as Tim Purcell recently retired from making bridges ($30)
*Gator GL-BANJO XL padded cloth case--superior to any gig bag ($145)
*Railroad spikes installed at the 7th, 9th, and 10th frets
*Also included are the original Deering guitar-style tuners and original red powder-coated metal armrest
Condition: very light wear to the head, from normal use over the past year; has low action, plays beautifully. Case with some external wear, but nice inside.
