068 – Tunneled Fifth String Whyte Laydie Banjo
This banjo was built in companion to #069 and both feature a tunneled fifth string and similar details to each other. They feature calligraphy inlays in the scoop designed by the owners talented friend Kathryn Darnell. Simple and elegant was our approach to this pair of instruments. The tunneled fifth string make them incredibly comfortable banjos to play while giving them a unique look. The rare Quilted Cuban Mahogany came from a good friends wood stash that he’s been sitting on for 50+ years that made for a beautiful accent. The wood choices and contrasts of this particular banjo made a very stunning and unique instrument.
- 11″ Curly Maple Rim
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 1-5/16″ Bone Nut
- Whyte Laydie Tone Ring
- Raw Brass Hardware
- Tunneled Fifth String
- Mother of Pearl Inlays
- Honduran Rosewood Fretboard, Heel, and Rim Cap
- Quilted Cuban Mahogany Peghead Overlay
- Birdseye Maple Neck
- Ivoroid Binding
- Gotoh Tuners
- Hard Oil Satin Finish
- Published in Banjos
067 – Curly Maple Whyte Laydie Compass Banjo
This banjo was custom built for a student at Berklee College of Music looking for a banjo with a strong voice and tone to fit playing clawhammer as well as to accompany songwriting and singing. The design was based on The Lion Head Model but simplified aesthetically. The Whyte Laydie tone ring is one of the staples of the old time banjo world and is an amazing versatile tone ring for many styles of playing. The compass inlay was inspired by a drawing that adorned the owners first banjo and they wanted to continue on the theme.
- 11″ Curly Maple Rim
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- Whyte Laydie Tone Ring
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- Engraved Abalone Compass Inlay
- Striped Ebony Fingerboard and Appointments
- Cole Boat Heel
- Gotoh Tuners
- Black Tusq Nuts
- Hard Oil Satin Finish
- Published in Banjos
060 – 12″ Engraved Lion Head Whyte Laydie Banjo
This banjo is loosely based on early the golden age of Fairbanks and Fairbanks and Cole banjos. I redesigned the classic lion head griffin giving it a more fierce and lion like head. Using the original inlay patterns I created my own engravings giving it a traditional but more refined look. The curly maple 12″ rim features a Whyte Laydie tone ring with ivoroid binding and antiqued raw brass hardware. The tone from the 12″ Whyte Laydie is deep and precise. Paired with the elegant looks this is one of the finest of banjos available from Seeders Instruments.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 12″ Curly Maple Rim
- Whyte Laydie Tone Ring
- Hand Engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- Striped Ebony Fingerboard
- EVO Fretwire
- Seeders Pointed Nuts
- 1-5/16″ Nut
- Ivoroid Binding
- Gotoh Tuners
- Red Amber Stain
- Cole Boat Heel
- Seeders Violin Bridge
- Hard Oil Satin Finish
- Published in Banjos
1923 Vega Whyte Laydie No. 2 Banjo
This 1923 Vega Whyte Laydie rim features a faithful recreation of a No. 2 Griffin style neck. The large 12″ Whyte Laydie rim is one of the most sought after of all original Vega rims from this era and the sound does not disappoint. The classic inlays and engravings compliment the sound that comes along with these rims making a perfect match for any vintage banjo fan. The PegHed tuners used on this banjo are an excellent tuner that give you a vintage look with the ease of a modern geared tuner. The neck shape is a slightly modified original Vega neck profile for excellent comfort and playability.
- 1923 11-15/16″ Vega Whyte Laydie Rim
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- Hand Engraved Inlays
- PegHed Geared Friction Style Tuners
- Vintage Toned Hard Oil Finish
- Ivoroid Neck Binding
- Vega Stacked Heel Cap
- 1-1/4″ Nut
- Graphtech Tusq XL Nut
- EVO Fretwire
- Published in Banjos
052 – 12″ Engraved Lion Head Whyte Laydie Banjo
This banjo is loosely based on early the golden age of Fairbanks and Fairbanks and Cole banjos. I redesigned the classic lion head griffin giving it a more fierce and lion like head. Using the original inlay patterns I created my own engravings giving it a traditional but more refined look. The curly maple 12″ rim features a Whyte Laydie tone ring with ivoroid binding and antiqued raw brass hardware. The tone from the 12″ Whyte Laydie is deep and precise. Paired with the elegant looks this is one of the finest of banjos available from Seeders Instruments.
- 25.5″ Scale Length
- 12″ Curly Maple Rim
- Whyte Laydie Tone Ring
- Hand Engraved Mother of Pearl Inlays
- Antiqued Brass Hardware
- Striped Ebony Fingerboard
- EVO Fretwire
- Seeders Pointed Nuts
- 1-5/16″ Nut
- Ivoroid Binding
- Gotoh Tuners
- Red Amber Stain
- Cole Boat Heel
- Seeders Violin Bridge
- Hard Oil Finish
- Published in Banjos
020 – Half Fretless Whyte Laydie Banjo
This Vega pot most likely started out as a Vega Whyte Laydie tenor or banjolin. The owner of the pot and I put our heads together and from his vision and love of contrasting woods we came up with this unique neck. The woods we used were a lightly figured soft maple for the neck, Ironwood for the fretless overlay and dot inlays, an ebony fingerboard, curly claro walnut for binding, peruvian walnut, ebony and maple for the center lamination of the neck, ebony and maple for the nautical star peghead inlay and fumed english oak for the peghead and heel overlay. The combinations create a very unique looking neck with woods that compliment each other nicely while creating an eye catching contrast. The completely bound coffin peghead shape was inspired by a mid to late 19th century minstrel banjo peghead with marquetry inlays that had binding continuing across the peghead above the nut, a small but challenging detail that created a unique look.
- 10 1/16″ Vega Whyte Laydie Pot
- 24 1/2″ Scale Length
- 1-3/8″ Nut Width
- Vermont Ironwood Half Fretless Fingerboard Overlay
- Ironwood Dot Inlays
- Medium Width EVO Fretwire
- 9 Piece Neck Lamination
- Coffin Peghead Shape with Nautical Star Inlay
- Raw Brass ABM Tuners
- Frailing Scoop
- Volute
- Published in Banjos