Inspired by John Hartford’s love for low-tuned banjos Bela Fleck conceived the M-1 Missing Link Baritone Banjo. Bela’s previous experience with the Gold Tone cello banjo brought him to Wayne Rogers. The two collaborated in the design and after many months of experimentation and various challenges they now present the ML-1. To produce the lower tone with a traditional sound in the lower register they use a 12 3-ply maple rim with a bronze tone ring. After beta-testing a variety of neck and bridge options Bela signed off on the compound radius (5”-9”) ebony fingerboard attached to a hard rock Canadian maple neck and a cathedral-like radius bridge standing 7/8” over the signature black Remo head. Jumbo frets Gold Tone s exclusive “Terminator” tailpiece and their patented ZeroGlide system complete the perfect formula for the throaty ML-1. Bela’s nouveau inlay design courses the length of the fingerboard and finishes on their C-cut headstock. Black binding black tuner buttons and the black head create a bold autonomous look.