Dave Barnhart’s Very Special Banjo

This is a very special banjo.  Three things make it special:

First it is an SS Stewart Special Thoroughbred made in the 1896-1898 time frame.  I’ve always wanted one of these

Second this banjo belonged to my former banjo teacher and mentor, Joe Bethancourt. Joe passed away a little over a year ago, and his wife has begun selling a few of his instruments.  I’ve actually played this very banjo.  Joe brought it to one of our lessons and let me play it as much as I wanted.  Whenever Joe gave a performance this SS Stewart was one of the banjos he played.

Third, when I told my sweet lady wife that I must have this banjo she thought for a minute and then offered to buy it for me as an early 40th wedding anniversary present.