{"product_id":"barnes-mullins-bj500bw-empress-5string-banjo","title":"Barnes \u0026 Mullins BJ500BW Empress 5-String Banjo","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBarnes \u0026amp; Mullins BJ500BW Empress 5 String Banjo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNamed after the tragic ‘Empress of Ireland’ ocean liner, the Barnes \u0026amp; Mullins BJ500BW ‘Empress’ 5 string banjo combines outstanding quality with a unique and striking appearance. A low action and quick neck make this banjo a joy to play. It features a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eclosed back burl walnut resonator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e to deliver an authentic, punchy bluegrass tone with a genuine Remo Vellum head. Geared machine heads ensure \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eimproved tuning stability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e. The BJ500BW also features a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003erolled brass tone ring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e to improve the volume and projection of the instrument.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch4 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSPECIFICATIONS:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e  \u003cul class=\"ul1\"\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeck: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eWalnut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResonator: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eBurl Walnut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFingerboard: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eOvangkol\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li2\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRim: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eStained Maple Laminate\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTone Ring: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eRolled Brass\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrackets: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e24 \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardware: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eChrome\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li2\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHead: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eRemo Vellum\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli class=\"li2\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMachineheads: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eGeared, Planetary Style\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s4\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: Specifications are subject to change at any time.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch2 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBarnes \u0026amp; Mullins Origins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIn 1894, Mr Albert Mullins and Mr S. Bowley Barnes started “The Jo”, their famous musical instrument journal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSpecialising in all things banjo, they soon began manufacturing their own banjos as well as importing many other instruments. The original Barnes and Mullins banjos are still sought after today, with collectors seeking them out all over the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSadly in 1914 at the age of 40, Albert Mullins drowned when the ‘Empress of Ireland’ sank on the St Lawrence River. He was on the home leg of a 2 year sales trip.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBowley Barnes continued the business thereafter, and what he had started with his partner years earlier in Bournemouth now moved to Rathbone Place, London.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIn 1976, Mark Barnes – son of Bowley Barnes – moved the business to Grays Inn Road, Bloomsbury. Sadly in 1986, Mark Barnes died. He was greatly admired and respected by employees and customers alike who were quick to tell of his fair and generous nature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIn 1999, Bruce Perrin – a Director since 1986 – became Managing Director and moved the business from London to the current location – Grays Inn House – a modern 46000sqft warehouse and office facility in Oswestry, Shropshire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBruce Perrin says “We are excited about the future and are constantly looking at ways to innovate and evolve, yet Barnes and Mullins has always endeavoured to put the customer at the top of its priority list”.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Barnes \u0026 Mullins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42753134362708,"sku":"BJ500BW","price":1699.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0608\/9398\/6900\/files\/BJ500BW_f65919fe-532f-4a17-b697-ceb68b89dbf3.png?v=1765450876","url":"https:\/\/musiciansoasis.com.au\/products\/barnes-mullins-bj500bw-empress-5string-banjo","provider":"Musicians Oasis","version":"1.0","type":"link"}