Barnes & Mullins BJ500BW Empress 5-String Banjo

Barnes & Mullins BJ500BW Empress 5-String Banjo

An Excellent Choice For Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Jazz & Folk with a Loud & Bright Tone, Perfect As An Accompaniment Instrument 

The Barnes & Mullins BJ500BW Empress 5-String Banjo is an excellent choice for musicians looking to explore various genres, including bluegrass, country, gospel, jazz, and folk. This banjo is known for its loud and bright tone, making it a perfect accompaniment instrument for a wide range of musical styles.

The Empress banjo is named in memory of the 'RMS Empress of Ireland' steamship, which tragically sank in Canada's St. Lawrence River in May 1914, resulting in the loss of over 1000 lives. Mr. Albert Mullins, who was aboard the ship during his worldwide sales voyage, was among those lost that day.

This banjo features a visually stunning figured burl walnut resonator with a captivating marbled grain pattern. The combination of the walnut resonator, rim, and neck gives the Empress banjo a distinctive appearance that turns heads.

In terms of sound, the Empress banjo offers superb depth and a bright, articulate response. It is versatile and well-suited for different playing styles, encouraging musicians to explore and perform with confidence.

The banjo is complete with chrome hardware and fittings, an ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary machine heads. These features enhance playability and maintain the banjo's traditional aesthetics.

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Why Should I Buy a 5-String Banjo?

This B&M Empress 5-string resonator banjo is the standard for bluegrass playing but is also an excellent choice for other musical styles including country, gospel, jazz, folk, classical and rock. It's the go-to style of banjo for 'Scruggs' players who use three-fingers with fingerpicks on the index and middle fingers and a thumbpick for a fast-tempo and lively style.

Its resonator design means this banjo sounds naturally loud and bright and therefore makes for an excellent accompaniment instrument.

Common 5-String Banjo Tunings:

• G, D, G, B, D - Open G
• G, C, G, B, D - C Tuning / Drop C

Body & Construction Specifications:

• STYLE: 5-String Resonator
• RESONATOR: Figured Burl Walnut
• HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
• FLANGE: Chrome
• TONE RING: Rolled Brass
• BRACKET QTY: 24
• RIM: Walnut
• BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
• COORDINATOR RODS: 2
• HARDWARE: Chrome
• TAILPIECE: Chrome
• ARMREST: Chrome
• NECK: Walnut
• FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
• FRETS: 22
• INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned
• MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
• TRUSSROD COVER: 'Empress' Script
• NUT WIDTH: 31mm
• SCALE LENGTH: 670mm
• WEIGHT: 5kg

The Barnes & Mullins Story

In 1894, Mr Albert Mullins and Mr S. Bowley Barnes started “The Jo”, their famous musical instrument journal.

Specialising 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. Sadly 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.

Bowley Barnes continued the business thereafter, and what he had started with his partner years earlier in Bournemouth now moved to Rathbone Place, London. In 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.

In 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. Bruce 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”.