Blog Posts

Two Fretless Banjos

7/3/2024

Check out the latest fretless banjos, the top one was a commission, but the bottom one is available.

11" Maple rim, flamed outer layer
Goat skin head
Maple neck
Ebony fingerboard
Rickard 'Cyclone' tuners
Heavy gauge nylon strings

12" Multi Birch Ply rim, sprayed black
Ash neck
Ebony friction tuners
Vintage hooks and shoes
Goat skin head
Heavy gauge nylon strings

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The latest fretless commission turned out pretty sweet!

12" European Ash, lightly figured 3-ply rim
Brazilian Mahogany rim cap
Calf skin head
Brazilian Mahogany neck
Pau Ferro fingerboard and peghead overlay
'Ballard' Sycamore bridge
Gotoh tuners
Aquila Nylgut 'Minstrel' strings

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Walnut Mountain Banjo

5/16/2024

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Just finished this flashy little mountain banjo. Haven't made one of these since early last year, so it was fun to build, turned out great too!

American black walnut 10" pot
Ebony rim cap
Walnut/Ash tone ring
6" Goat skin head
Walnut neck
Ebony fingerboard with Brass scoop plate
Ebony peghead overlay with inset 1945 penny farthing
LaBella nylon strings

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Walnut Dobson #203

5/10/2024

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Finished this one the end of last week, a replacement banjo for #188, which was stolen a few months back.
We decided to make a few changes/improvements to this one, most notably a 12" pot with additional Rosewood tonering, which sounds great, rather than the 11". An extra mother of pearl design was added to the peghead and 12th fret, and a Walnut rear peghead overlay with black pinstripe instead of Ebony.

12" Black walnut block rim
Rosewood/Dobson tone ring combination
Fibreskyn head
Black walnut neck
25.5" scale Ebony fingerboard
Hawktail tailpiece
D'Addario medium gauge strings

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6-String Brazilian Mahogany

4/12/2024

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The latest banjo #202, currently for sale, check out the 'banjos in stock' page for full specs and price.

12" Brazilian Mahogany block rim
Rolled brass tone ring
Renaissance head
Brazilian Mahogany neck
25.5" scale Ebony fingerboard
D'Addario medium strings, with a .032 Elixir acoustic guitar low G.

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2 x Walnut Open Backs

3/29/2024

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Finished two nice banjos this week, the top one was a commission, but the bottom one is available to purchase. Check 'em out!

12" Walnut block rim
Silver Bell tone ring
Calf skin head
25.5" scale fingerboard
Aged hardware
Medium gauge D'Addario strings

11" Bent Walnut rim
Brass rod tone ring
Renaissance head
25.5" scale

See 'banjos in stock' page for detailed specs and price.

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Ash Fretless

3/21/2024

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The latest fretless!
I've been using Ash as a wood choice since I my made first banjo around 15 years ago, it never fails to produce a fantastic tone.
11" Flamed Ash, 3-ply rim
2-Piece plain Ash neck
Indian Rosewood tone ring
Renaissance head
Nylon strings
Sycamore bridge

I should have a nice 25.5" scale, 11" pot, all black Walnut, fretted banjo available the end of next week (currently being oiled), so keep an eye out for that!

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Stolen Banjo #188 - update

2/22/2024

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Just discovered the stolen banjo on 'John Pye Auctions' website, it seems it was sold for £150 earlier this month. Both John (the original customer), and I, have requested buyer and seller information from the auction house, this will then be passed on to the police.
If you are the buyer who bought the banjo at auction, return the banjo to me and I will refund your £150 and no further action will be taken.

www.johnpyeauctions.co.uk/Event/LotDetails/193727913/LEON-BALLARD-5STRING-BANJO-WITH-MEDIUM-LOOP-END-IN-PHOSPHOR-BRONZE-EJ55-RRP-825-LOCATION-B1

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'Howlin' Wolf' Banjo and Mahogany short Scale Banjo

2/15/2024

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Finished these two banjos this week, both sound great, which goes to show that you don't necessarily need an elaborate metal tone ring!
The Mahogany short scale is a 'stock' banjo and available to purchase, ideal for playing A and double D tunes, with plenty of poke for sessions.

Howlin' Wolf

12" Black Walnut block rim
Ebony tone ring
Ebony rim cap
Skin head (stained)
Black Walnut neck
25.5" Scale Ebony fingerboard
Mother of Pearl inlay on peghead and heel
Medium D'Addario strings

Brazilian Mahogany Short Scale - FOR SALE!

11" Brazilian Mahogany block rim
Ebony rim cap
Renaissance head
One piece Brazilian Mahogany neck
23.25" scale length Ebony fingerboard
Light GHS Americana strings

Full specs and price on 'Banjos in stock' page

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Latest Brazilian Mahogany Banjo

1/18/2024

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The first banjo of 2024!
This one was commissioned, so not available, but I will have have a few 'stock' banjos coming soon, check the 'banjos in stock' page for more details.

11" Brazilian Mahogany block rim
Ebony rim cap
Dobson tone ring
Brazilian Mahogany neck
25.5" scale Ebony fingerboard
Rickard 'Cyclone' tuners
Renaissance head
Medium D'Addario strings