Bear Fork

The Bear Fork model is not just a banjo—it’s a heartfelt tribute to the Bear Fork Trading Post, the place where I have spent (and still spend) many weekends, immersing myself in the music that has become such a huge part of my life. Crafted with a blend of artistry and personal significance, this banjo showcases my finest workmanship yet, embodying the warmth and character of the place that inspired it.

Featuring a walnut neck and double-bound burled walnut resonator finished in a natural gloss, the Bear Fork model is not only designed as an ornate showcase of craftsmanship, but is also a modern, high-performance instrument. The ebony fretboard, inlaid with the Bears and Paws pattern and bound with tortoise shell binding, is cut to a comfortable 12-inch radius and extended to 24 frets, providing additional range and versatility for your playing. The tortoise-shell bound headstock is inlaid with a wooden bear head, a pearl bear paw, and a pearl Lemon logo, making it a striking centerpiece. Adding to its elegance, the ebony heel cap is also bound in tortoise shell and features a beautifully inlaid pearl bear paw.

Adding to the modern look and feel, the Bear Fork model also showcases black powder-coating on the flange, tension hoop, armrest, and tailpiece. These parts are accented by nickel-plated hooks and resonator thumbscrews. Further, the black Gotoh tuners with black buttons complete the modern aesthetic of this banjo.

This banjo also features a Torrefied Hard Maple Lemon Block Rim, designed for a Lemon EZ-Swap Argentine Osage Orange Wooden Tone Ring in the profile of your choice, ensuring a rich and resonant tone.

The Bear Fork model is assembled with the following components:

• An artistic mixture of Black Powder-coated and Nickel-plated hardware:

  • Flange, Tension Hoop, Tailpiece, and Armrest are black powder-coated;
  • Hooks, nuts, resonator hardware, and coordinator rods are nickel-plated.

• Top-frosted Remo Weatherking Head

• Black Powder-coated Prucha Presto Tailpiece

• Black Chrome Gotoh 4:1 Tuners with Tortoise-shell buttons

• Dual-Action Truss Rod (adjusting wrench included)

• Wide Nickel-Silver Frets (0.106"x0.039")

• 1 3/16" bone nut

• 5th String Spikes installed at the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th frets

• Cockrum Roasted Walnut 3/4" Bridge with 12" radius

All Lemon Banjos include a quality hard-shell case with purchase.

Please Note: The photos shown are meant to represent the Bear Fork model. The banjo you order may slightly differ from the photos.

All Lemon Master Series Banjos include a Limited 10 Year Warranty, detailed at https://lemonbanjosupply.com/pages/warranty.