Slotted and shaped both fingerboards for the next two banjos this week, also turned the rims down to size ready for tone rings and rim caps. Going to be using something different to Ebony on Dave's Walnut rim, I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks!

A buddy of mine is looking to part with his Enoch tradesman banjo, number 278. I fitted a new Renaissance head on it today (the old one was split) and it is playing fine, although the action is very low as the bridge has been sanded down to about 1/2"! A 5/8" bridge would give it perfect playing height (I make some nice compensated bridges for £20!) 
Seller is Norfolk (UK) based, anyone interested can contact me and I'll pass on your details.
Asking price is £700 plus shipping.

Finished Richard's 'Liverbird' banjo earlier today so decided to shut up shop a bit early to have a play and take some photos, it turned out really nice, with a big, deep tone. Video will follow shortly. 
Specs are:
12" Black Walnut block rim with Rosewood/Brass rod tonering
Goat skin head
2-piece Black Walnut neck
25.5" scale Ebony fingerboard with inlaid stars
Ebony peghead overlay with Mother of Pearl inlay.
'Buckeye' tailpiece


Next week I'll be getting stuck into Dave's 'Greyhound' banjo and Les' long neck banjo!

Happy New Year to all of my customers, hope it's a good one for you! 
I'm super excited and thankful to have so many cool banjos to build this year, my order book is pretty much full up for 2018, I currently have one space left if anyone is interested.

Got the kids back to school this week, so it's back to business. Installed the frets, cut out and inlaid the MOP bird on Richard's banjo ready for engraving the details.  Should be ready for oiling the end of next week after several days shaping the neck, lots of sanding and final fret work.

Last month I mentioned that I would be increasing my prices this year, the new list is now up. It may seem quite a rise but there are now more features included in the base model open-back which would have previously cost extra, so the increase is only about £50 if you were ordering a banjo with Ebony fingerboard, peghead overlay, inlaid MOP fingerboard dots and more elaborate peghead shape.