NOTE: "Prices subject to change in the event of the manufacturer's increase."
Huber - Jim Mills Model 5-String Banjo
•Like the pre war flathead on which it is based, the Huber Jim Mills model uses selected, high-grade mahogany for the neck and resonator.
•The resonator features twin concentric rings of white/black/white binding material.
•The stain is carefully matched with a natural, reddish-brown color on all but the back of the neck.
•Like all Huber Banjos, the Mills is assembled from the components that have set Hubers apart from all other modern banjos:
•Huber pre war replica alloy tone ring
•Huber 3 ply hide glue rim
•Huber 5 ply pre war style resonator
•Huber steel coordinator rods
•One piece zinc flange
•Presto sytle tailpiece
•One piece armrest
They sound so much like the pre wars, in part because they are made from such similar components.
The unique engraving pattern used on the Jim Mills model is also taken from Jim's pre war banjo - another aspect that sets this banjo apart from anything else currently being offered in the market. The tone ring, tailpiece and arm rest feature this engraving.
One of the more prominent features of the Jim Mills model is the V-shape of the neck. Many players (including Jim) find this subtle, V-shape to be more comfortable than a typically rounded profile - especially players who commonly allow the left thumb to ride along the upper edge of the neck.
This V-shaped neck profile is only available on the Jim Mills banjo.
The Mills is also made with the speed neck feature - an upcharge option on the other stock Huber models. The speed neck is one in which no lacquer is applied to the back of the neck during finishing. Lacquer finishes can feel sticky and tacky in warm humid weather - or under stage lights - and pro players demand this sort of feel to their necks in the great majority of cases.
The unfinished portion of the neck is coated with a wax "finish" to protect the wood, but the neck feels almost like bare wood - smooth and slick - and mighty quick!
The heavy gold plating used on all Huber Banjos offers a more durable gold finish. As much as three times the amount of gold is applied in this process as is the rule with plated banjo parts, meaning the high impact components will retain their gold far longer than in most cases.
The plating is done using a carefully-controlled immersion process, quite similar to the process used in the 1930s. Steve uses a gold which is also quite similar in appearance to the older banjos, as opposed to the bright, yellowish gold that is common on newer banjos. The Huber gold plating offers a richer gold color that is both more attractive and more durable.
The Jim Mills model is finished with what Steve Huber describes as a vintage finish. A yellowing toner is added to the lacquer, which gives the instrument the look of an older, vintage banjo. Steve carefully matched the appearance of Jim's banjo, with the concentric rings in the back of the resonator having an even more yelowed look than the edge binding - just like Jim's pre war.
Under close examination, you can see the slightly yellowed look in the finish and in the binding along the neck - a subtle rather than glaringly obvious effect.
HB-JM Huber Jim Mills Model 5-String Banjo$4950.00
Free Call 800-933-5362 for Credit Card Orders (24 hr.) Fax: (479) 855-0451 Information & Foreign: (479) 855-0700
The Banjo Store JDMC Janet Davis Music Company 13026 Highway 71 North
Bentonville, AR 72712
•Like the pre war flathead on which it is based, the Huber Jim Mills model uses selected, high-grade mahogany for the neck and resonator.
