Here's where I'm at with the next batch of open-back commissions. Rims, necks, fingerboards and peghead overlays are all glued, ready for working on over coming weeks.
From top left clockwise:
Rob's - Walnut neck, 12" Walnut rim, Ziricote fingerboard and peghead overlay
Ali's - Walnut neck, 12" Walnut rim, Ebony fingerboard and peghead overlay
Andrew's - Walnut neck, 11" Walnut rim, Ebony fingerboard and peghead overlay
Jon's - Honduras Mahogany neck, 12" Honduras Mahogany rim, Pau Ferro fingerboard and peghead overlay

Since I haven't posted anything in a while, I thought I'd better!
Below are some photos of the current batch of commissions, a varied selection, all coming along nicely.
Clockwise from top left:
Cherry, 11" rim with Dobson tonering, Cherry neck with Ziricote fingerboard and peghead overlay.
Walnut semi-fretless neck for 12" vintage pot, the fretless plate will be German silver.
Maple tackhead, with 12" pot.
Rosewood, Spruce and Ebony. A little project I've been planning for myself for several years, might get a chance to get stuck into it later in the year.
All Walnut openback, this one will be very similar to the Walnut 'stock' banjo that I recently sold.
Another Walnut banjo, this one will have Ziricote for the fingerboard and peghead overlay, and a Dobson tone ring.

As I said, these are all spoken for, but I do still have a few, very tasty banjos for sale on the 'banjos in stock' page.

I received a nice email from a customer, this week, along with some photos, which I truly appreciated.
It gave me the idea, that it would be really nice to have a 'rogues gallery'  page! If you have a photo of yourself, with your 'Ballard banjo/banjos' please send it over to me, don't be shy, it would be great to see :)

'Hi Leon, Thought you might like to see your banjo in it's new home with the proud owner.  Also in the photo are my custom Brook guitar made in Devon & an Eastman uke. Banjo takes pride of place!  Banjo sounds superb & so easy to play. The neck is beautiful & silky & the Walnut looks gorgeous.
Thanks again
Gary'

Just finished these two open backs, and listed them on the 'banjos in stock' page, check 'em out! 

Top:
12"Walnut rim
Rolled brass tone ring
Calf head
​Walnut neck
25.5" scale length

Bottom:
11" Ash rim
Integral Cherry tone ring
Renaissance head
Lightly flamed Maple neck
26 3/16" scale length

Number 2 of the 4 fretless banjos is now finished, and on the 'for sale' page, number 3 is currently on the oiling bench and will also be listed next week!

FOR SALE! Just finished this Walnut mountain banjo, a great little instrument, with a really nice mellow, woody tone. It has a 1930'sSixpence inset in the peghead, found whilst digging veggie beds in the back garden of our old cottage.
The cost is the same  as my base model mountain banjo (£825 + shipping), if commissioned it would cost over £100 more, as it is made from some beautiful American black walnut with Ebony trim, and also features a nice brass scoop plate!

Black Walnut 10" pot
6" goat head
Ash tone ring
One piece black Walnut neck
Ebony fingerboard & peghead overlay
Ebony violin friction pegs
Minstrel gauge nylon strings
Inset 1930s sixpence
​Brass no knot tailpiece

Finished this commissioned Minstrel banjo earlier in the week, possibly the prettiest Minstrel I've built!


If anyone is looking for a mountain banjo, I'll be finishing a nice Walnut one next week, which will be available to buy, keep an eye out for photos :)


Minstrel banjo
Maple neck
Rosewood fingerboard 27" scale
Rosewood peghead overlay & Walnut rear overlay
Mother of pearl Edelweiss flower
12" 2-ply Oak rim with Walnut cap
Goat skin head
Minstrel gauge nylon strings

Just finished the first of 4 similar banjos I currently have on the go, the other 3 will be finished in the coming weeks. I originally started these to use for a workshop I was asked to do, as this has now been cancelled, all 4 banjos will be available to buy.
This one has a thin, Walnut multi ply 12" rim and 1-piece Maple neck, it is very lightweight, sounds great and is very affordable.
​Full details are on the 'banjos in stock' page.