• Béla Fleck and Gold Tone President Wayne Rogers met at the summer NAMM show with the intent of discussing a new type of banjo. Béla had long been a fan of John Hartford and knew that John had a love for low-tuned banjos. Their collaboration eventually produced the Béla Fleck ML-1 “Missing Link” Baritone Banjo. It took many months of experimentation and various challenges, but the result was worth the effort. Now, LightSpeed Music is ecstatic to be one of a small group of dealers selected to present the ML-1.
  • The ML-1 is tuned halfway between a standard G-tuned banjo and an octave lower “Cello Banjo”. Tuning on this instrument is cGCEG, so it's a 5th lower than a standard G-tuned banjo.
  • To accurately produce these lower notes while preserving a traditional sound, they decided to use a 12-inch, 3-ply Maple Rim mated to a bronze tone ring. Side note...All strings on the ML-1 are wound, another Béla choice.
  • Because this instrument was designed by and for professionals, everything is top-notch. “Up top” you'll find smooth planetary tuners and a Zero-Glide nut. A jet-black ebony fretboard sits atop a rock maple neck. Béla chose jumbo frets and Gold Tone's exclusive “Terminator” tailpiece along with a maple resonator. Yeah...it's got the good stuff.
  • Other appointments include “classy, not flashy” Nouveau inlays, black bindings, flame maple headstock overlay, an engraved arm rest and a black Remo head.
  • Included with your new prized possession is the correct TKL hard case. This is an heirloom quality instrument and is likely to travel with you to countless gigs, sessions and rehearsals. A banjo this good deserves nothing less.

  • Why Buy From LightSpeed Music?

As always, the pictures shown in the listing are of the actual instrument you will receive. Every piece of wood is unique, and you deserve to see exactly what you are buying. We know that buying musical gear online is hard, so we welcome any questions you have. If you would like an "in hand" description or you need more details, please call weekdays at 618-719-2392. We are here to assist you from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM Central time. Or, feel free to visit our store online. It's a big internet, and we know you have many choices. As such, we are thankful for the thousands of musicians that have chosen us, and hope to be able to add you to our family.

LightSpeed Music Store
Columbia, IL

  • Gold Tone Béla Fleck ML-1 “Missing Link” Banjo Specifications:

Head: 12” MC Black Remo
Rim: 3-Ply Canadian Maple
Tension Hoop: Notched 24 Bracket
Fretboard: Ebony
Tone Ring: Bronze Bar Style
Tuners: GT Master Planets
Resonator: 14" Maple (Convertible)
Scale Length: 26-1/4"
Nut Width” 1-3/8”
Fretboard Radius: Compound, 5”-9”
Armrest: Gold Tone Engraved
Neck: Hard Rock Maple
Inlays: Nouveau Custom
Finish: Vintage Gloss Mahogany Brown
Plating: Chrome
Strings: .018” w, .040” w, .030” w, .022” w, .018”w
Case: TKL Hardshell Included