Terry Baucom Sullivan banjo

Terry Baucom with his Sullivan Banjo signature modelBack in February, Brance teased with news that one of Terry Baucom’s post-Quicksilver episode 2 endeavors would include a signature banjo model, noting that further details would be forthcoming.

Now comes the official announcement:

After much anticipation, it is being announced that Sullivan Banjo is the builder on the new Terry Baucom signature banjo. The mahogany banjo with nickel hardware has been being developed over the past several months and Baucom is happy about his association with Sullivan Banjo and First Quality Musical Supplies of Louisville, Kentucky.

“I have known Bill Sullivan and his sons, Jeff and Eric, a long time. Their passion is to provide the highest quality instruments and accessories to their customers. I couldn’t be more pleased that they asked me to be part of the development of this banjo. The Sullivans have high standards and this banjo model is no exception.”

Terry will be working closely with Ed Lowe (CEO of John Boy & Billy) and the folks at Sullivan. Ed and Terry will be involved in the final set up of each Baucom banjo. They will inspect and play each one, and none will ship until Baucom is fully satisfied with the sound and playability of each finished instrument.

One design specification that was important to Terry is the lower, wider frets popular in 1960s model banjos. Terry calls them “speed frets,” and became enamored of them while playing his 60s vintage Bow Tie banjos this past few years. He thinks modern players will enjoy the feel these frets provide.

He tells us that he is beyond delighted with his new banjo.

“After many hours playing my new Sullivan banjo, I have to say that it goes well beyond my expectations – which were high to begin with.”

Terry used his new signature model this week in recording a new banjo instructional DVD, which will be released later this summer on the John Boy & Billy label. He will also use it for an upcoming solo CD project, which unbelievably will be the first ever under his name alone.

At this time, there are no details or photos on the Sullivan Banjo site, but we have a list of the specifications for the Terry Baucom Signature model banjo which we obtained from Sullivan. Some photos of the banjo follow the specs.

NECK
Neck
Genuine Honduran Mahogany Pre-War 5-string specs
Fingerboard
Genuine Brazilian Rosewood
Peghead
Ebony
Scale
Pre-War replica scale
Inlay
Custom Sullivan Mother of Pearl
Block
Terry Baucom signature
Binding
.040 White with Black/White accent
Heel Cap
White/black/white
Tuners
Replica pancake tuners with ivoroid buttons
5th Tuner
Schaller with ivoroid button
Frets
60’s style .1015 wide by .049 tall sanded to 35 tall (standard frets optional)
Truss rod
Double 2-way truss rod
Finish
Nitro lacquer with Vintage toner over style 3 color very light
finish on back
RESONATOR
Construction
Mahogany/poplar construction
Binding
.060 White with Black/White accent
Rings
.125 White/Black/White
Finish
Nitro lacquer with Vintage toner over style 3 color
Neck Notch
Black felt
POT ASSEMBLY
Rim
Sullivan Historic Factory Floor with light nitro lacquer
Tone Ring
**New** Sullivan Pre-War replica engraved w/Terry Baucom
Flange
Light weight Die Cast
hoop
Light weight Die CAst
Head
Medium crown Remo top frosted
Tailpiece
Presto
Rods
Double rods with long nut
Bridge
11/16” Sullivan Factory Floor bridge Baucom Spacing (5/8” bridge optional)
HARDWARE
Finish
Nickel (gold optional)
STRINGS
Gauges
Custom Terry Baucom set – .011, .011, .013, .020, .011
CASE
Deluxe Hardshell

Terry Baucom Signature model Sullivan banjo   Terry Baucom Signature model Sullivan banjo   Terry Baucom Signature model Sullivan banjo

Contact Sullivan banjos for more information about when the Terry Baucom model will be available.

0 Comments
Leave a comment
Comments are open and unmoderated for our registered users, only your first comment will require approval before publication. Comments do not necessarily reflect the views of The Bluegrass Blog. Obscene, abusive, silly, or annoying remarks may be deleted, but the fact that particular comments remain on the site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their content by The Bluegrass Blog.

TrackBack URI

You must

  • Register
  • and Log in in to leave comments.

    The Baucoms on WWB

    Award-winning bluegrass power couple, Terry and Cindy Baucom, will both be interviewed over the next week on WorldWideBluegrass.com. Later today, Cindy will join WWB station manager Gracie Muldoon at 1:30 p.m. to talk about her own bluegrass radio show, Knee Deep In Bluegrass, which airs weekly on...

    Terry Baucom Deering banjo

    Deering Banjos has announced their newest model here at IBMA, the Terry Baucom signature banjo. This is a walnut banjo, and the first Deering model to be introduced with the new rim and lightweight tone ring designed by Greg Deering and Jens Kruger. Deering has also created a new inlay pattern for...

    Driving With The Duke

    Banjo icon Terry Baucom has recently released a new instructional DVD titled Driving With The Duke. The DVD is hosted by Terry's wife, and award winning DJ, Cindy Baucom. Cindy and Terry review his history with the banjo and the various bands he has played with over the years, then get right to the...

    Terry Baucom joins Dale Ann Bradley

    Terry Baucom is the new banjo player with Dale Ann Bradley. He has been doing most of her shows this past few months, and with a few exceptions, will be with her for all live appearances in the foreseeable future. Though they had been acquainted for some time, Terry had not performed with Dale Ann...

    Bill Sullivan – farewell to a giant

    Mike Bucayu of First Quality Musical Supply in Louisville, KY has announced that Bill Sullivan, who founded the company nearly 40 years ago, passed away this afternoon. Anyone who plays bluegrass music - at any level - has quite probably done business with First Quality. They have been strong supporters...

    Terry Baucom focuses on the banjo

    I just got a call from Cindy Baucom, asking me to share with you, our readers, some exciting news about the Duke of Drive himself, Terry Baucom. Terry has just announced his resignation from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, effective March 17, 2007, to pursue a number of banjo focused opportunities that...

    New from Recording King

    Recording King has introduced three new models - two new solid top guitars and a very special, limited edition banjo. The Bill Sullivan Tribute Banjo is being offered exclusively through First Quality Musical Supply, and is being offered as a legacy to First Quality founder Bill Sullivan. Bill was...

    Fretboard Journal #7 – Earl Scruggs

    The fall 2007 edition of Fretboard Journal is in the mail to subscribers and will soon be available at music dealers and Barnes & Noble. This edition features a cover story on banjo master Earl Scruggs. The story is appropriately titled "The Banjo That Changed The World." The article weighs in...

    Margie Sullivan update

    We heard this afternoon from Heidi Sullivan, granddaughter of Margie Sullivan, who we found out last week had been hospitalized on April 20. When she was admitted, it was thought that she had suffered a massive heart attack, though that diagnosis is now in doubt. Margie underwent 5 way cardiac bypass...

    Bill Sullivan Tribute on BanjoTalk.com

    Tonight's (11/18) edition of BanjoTalk will be a Bill Sullivan Tribute show. BanjoTalk is a live, online, call-in radio show hosted by Dave Pericone at BanjoTalk.com. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. (EST), with Eric Sullivan (Bill's son) joining David to remember the many contributions Bill Sullivan...

    Kenny & Amanda Smith reshuffle the deck

    As the festival season roars into full throttle, a few band members are changing hands as bands reshuffle once again. Kenny & Amanda Smith have brought on one new full time team member, and one temporary member. First let's talk banjo. With Joey Cox leaving the band at the end of June, banjo legend...

    Happy Birthday Baucom!

    We just wanted to send a shout out to our banjo playing pal Terry Baucom. Today, October 6th, is Terry's birthday. We hope you have a great day Terry!...