Chubby Possum Piccolo Banjo
This was one of my favorite custom projects of 2020. Made for talented hands Grace Van’t Hof of Sinner Friends and Chris Jones & the Night Drivers. This banjo started its life 100 years ago as a W.A. Cole mandolin banjo. Like many of these banjos, the neck was unsalvageable so it made a perfect candidate for a conversion banjo. When Grace approached me with a desire for a little 5 string banjo she could play like a ukulele but also as a 5 string banjo this rim was everything we needed to make that happen. Being a talented artist and graphic designer, Grace also had a really fun vision for the inlays. The inlays she came up with are based around classic style inlays of the turn of the century when the mandolin banjo was originally made. She took the classic Fairbanks “Chubby Dragon” inlay design and replaced it with a “Chubby Possum”. Complete with little possum babies on her back. A very fun whimsical design with a heavy nod to the classic banjo design we both love.
- 19″ Scale Length
- 8-5/8″ Spunover W.A. Cole Rim with Original Dowel Stick
- Mahogany Neck
- Ebony Fingerboard and Peghead Overlay
- Cole Boat Heel
- Nylgut Classic Banjo Strings
- Classic Style Banjo Bridge
- Gotoh Tuners
- Hand Engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays
- Published in Banjos
105 – 11″ Brass Spunover Slothead Dobson Banjo
This was a milestone project for me and is something I’ve looked forward to being able to make for many years. It’s the first fully ‘spunover’ rim I’ve made with a Dobson tone ring. Also known as a clad rim. I made my first full clad rim for #075 but this was the first to be fitted for a Dobson tone ring. It features elements of classic Dobson design with my modern twist and some lovely custom inlays inspired by the owners inspirations, a Kingfisher and Trilliums. The fifth string tuner being on the 7th fret is featured on a lot of original Dobson banjos which also makes neck below the slotted fifth string less cramped for your left hand.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 11″ Brass Spunover Rim
- Dobson Tone Ring
- Walnut Neck and Rim with Maple Accents
- 1-3/8″ Nut
- Radiused Fingerboard
- Engraved Mother of Pearl and Reconstone Inlays
- EVO Fretwire
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- Waverly Tuners with Black Mother of Pearl Knobs
- Seeders Violin Bridge
- Vintage Thin “Ultra-Low VOC” Waterbourne Lacquer Finish
- Published in Banjos
104 – 12″ Curly Maple Dobson Special 6 String Banjo
This banjo was built along side #100 as a pair. It was made for the talented hands of Allison De Groot. You can see her playing it in this great video. It’s essentially her standard Dobson Special model that she’s played for years with an extra low string. A really fun banjo to play that has a really big deep and rich sound with the added low string bass and overtones. This banjo also features a new tension hoop design that allows for more room around the scoop rim joint to avoid your thumb hitting the tension hoop while playing in that area.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 12″ Curly Maple Rim
- Dobson Special Tone Ring
- Curly Maple 6 String Neck
- Ebony Details
- Engraved Sea Snail Inlays
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- EVO Frets
- Gotoh Tuners
- Cole Boat Heel
- Flush Mount Truss Rod Cover
- Vintage Thin Waterbourne Low VOC Finish
- Published in Banjos
103 – 11″ Walnut and Brass Banjo
This banjo has the standard Seeders 11″ Walnut Style 1 specs. It features a simple look with a focus on play ability and tone. The rolled brass tone ring is an excellent choice for old-time playing. The neck is a modern C shape neck for a comfortable feel without being bulky in your hands.
This banjo was made for the talented hands of Rachel Baiman. Well known for her solo work as well as her playing in the 10 String Symphony.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 11″ Walnut Rim
- Rolled Brass Tone Ring
- Antiqued Raw Brass Hardware
- EVO Fretwire
- Ebony Fingerboard and Details
- Ivoroid Rim Binding
- 1-5/16″ Nut
- Seeders Violin Bridge
- Vintage Thin “Ultra-Low VOC” Waterbourne Lacquer Finish
- Published in Banjos
102 – 11″ Curly Maple Whyte Laydie Banjo
This banjo is a fun variation of a design I’ve made quite a bit. It features a lot of the standard appointments of my work but has a Grenadillo fingerboard along with red filler in the engravings which makes for a very different look than you typically find for a classic style banjo.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 11″ Curly Maple Rim
- Whyte Laydie Tone Ring
- Grenadillo Fingerboard and Peghead Overlay
- Black Mother of Pearl Engraved Inlays with Red Filler
- Van Eps Style Tension Hoop
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- EVO Fretwire
- Gotoh Tuners
- Reddish Brown Stain
- Flush Mount Truss Rod Cover
- Vintage Thin Waterbourne Low VOC Lacquer Finish
- Published in Banjos
101 – 12″ Curly Maple Dobson Special Fretless Banjo
This is a fretless variation of the Seeders Style 3 Dobson Special made with Curly Maple. This banjo has a powerful well rounded tone unique to the Dobson Special with a comfortable neck profile ideal for all hand sizes and comfort while playing all over the neck. The Dobson Special utilizes a Dobson tone ring mounted on a rolled brass ring to isolate the tone ring from the wooden rim giving it a unique and powerful Dobson sound with more balanced and a crisp overall tone. It’s simple but elegant inlays and overall design has a vintage inspired look while adding modern play ability and durability.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 12″ Curly Maple Rim
- Fretless Fingerboard
- Dobson Special Tone Ring
- Hand Engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- Striped Ebony Fingerboard
- Ivoroid Rim Binding
- EVO Fretwire
- 1-5/16″ Bone Nut
- Gotoh Tuners
- Cole Boat Heel
- Vintage Thin Waterbourne Finish
- Published in Banjos
100 – 12″ Curly Maple Dobson Special 6 String Banjo
This banjo was built along side #104 as a pair. Being #100 and always wanting a 6 string banjo I couldn’t resist to keep this one for myself. It’s essentially the standard Dobson Special model I make with an extra low string. A really fun banjo to play that has a really big deep and rich sound with the added low string bass and overtones. This banjo also features a new tension hoop design that allows for more room around the scoop rim joint to avoid your thumb hitting the tension hoop while playing in that area.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 12″ Curly Maple Rim
- Dobson Special Tone Ring
- Curly Maple 6 String Neck
- Ebony Details
- Engraved Sea Snail Inlays
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- EVO Frets
- Gotoh Tuners
- Cole Boat Heel
- Flush Mount Truss Rod Cover
- Vintage Thin Waterbourne Low VOC Finish
- Published in Banjos
099 – 11″ Cherry Dobson Special Banjo
This is a variation of the Seeders Style 3 Dobson Special made with Cherry instead of the usual Curly Maple. This banjo has a powerful well rounded tone unique to the Dobson Special with a comfortable neck profile ideal for all hand sizes and comfort while playing all over the neck. The Dobson Special utilizes a Dobson tone ring mounted on a rolled brass ring to isolate the tone ring from the wooden rim giving it a unique and powerful Dobson sound with more balanced and a crisp overall tone. It’s simple but elegant inlays and overall design has a vintage inspired look while adding modern play ability and durability.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 11″ Cherry Rim
- Dobson Special Tone Ring
- Hand Engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- Striped Ebony Fingerboard
- EVO Fretwire
- 1-5/16″ Bone Nut
- Black Rim Binding
- Gotoh Tuners
- Cole Boat Heel
- Vintage Thin Waterbourne Low VOC Finish
- Published in Banjos
098 – Buckbee Style 10″ Cherry Banjo
This project started as a replacement neck for an old rim. When the rim turned out to be not sturdy enough and not in good enough condition for a new neck the decision was made to just build a whole new banjo in the style of the classic banjo maker Buckbee with a few modern details instead. It’s a very fun little banjo and a great size for someone who’s looking for a smaller banjo.
- 24.5″ Scale Length
- 10″ Cherry Rim
- 1-5/16″ Nut
- Cherry and Ebony Neck
- Brass scoop plate with cutout
- Abalone Inlays
- Peghed Geared tuners
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- Vintage Thin Nitrocellulose Finish
- Calf Skin Head
- Published in Banjos
097 – 12″ Brass and Walnut Banjo
This banjo has the standard Seeders 12″ Walnut Style 1 specs. It features a simple look with a focus on play ability and tone. The rolled brass tone ring is an excellent choice for old-time playing and the 12″ rim gives it a rich deep sound. The neck is a modern C shape neck for a comfortable feel.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 12″ Walnut Rim
- Rolled Brass Tone Ring
- Antiqued Raw Brass Hardware
- EVO Fretwire
- Ebony Fingerboard and Details
- 1-5/16″ Nut
- Seeders Violin Bridge
- Vintage Thin “Ultra-Low VOC” Waterbourne Lacquer Finish
- Published in Banjos