As an experiment I thought it would be fun to make an electric banjo. Inspired by a stainless steel headed guitar a friend (and former professor) shared with me, I made a cast aluminum head for the banjo. A friend of mine sent me this cigar box sometime ago thinking I might enjoy making a …
I thought it would be an interesting experiment to make a Gourd style banjo with a ceramic bottom rather than a gourd. The neck of this banjo is made from Kentucky Osage Orange with the pegs made of local cherry. I put two different color side dots that act as fret marker guides. White ones …
Bowshot: I will come for you if you just stay where you are When my wife and I were trying to start a family we had a series of miscarriages including something called a tetraploidy. This is where an embryo has double the amount of chromosomes needed. My wife’s body was trying to keep something …
This banjo was a joy and wonderful challenge to design and make. It was a commission from someone that wanted to let someone else know how much they are valued. I could work on projects like that all day. From what I have learned of Keith Nance he is a selfless father and mentor. I …
Glass Bottom Banjo: This banjo began as all good things do… as an idea that you can’t let go of. It was (and still is) an experiment. I didn’t know that some banjo heads are clear. As soon as I saw one I knew I had to print something in the back of it. A …
My wife was interested in learning to play the dulcimer so this is the one I made for her. We are in central Kentucky and Dulcimers were designed and made around the region since the early 1800’s. This one is made of out of book matched Walnut for the back, Walnut sides, and an Ambrosia …
This banjo is one I made for myself. The fretboard image is made from selected frames of Eadweard Muybridge’s “Woman Jumping Over a Stool”. It is made by inlaying acrylic mother of pearl into Richlite (an ebony alternative). I have seen a number of instruments with heavy adornment but never one with a whole image …
This Banjo was custom made for John Ryster. John was expecting a daughter they were naming Rose at the time of the build. This is the reason for the inlayed rose in the peg head and for her name in the bridge. To here John play this custom fretless banjo click HERE. Fingerboard: Brass and …
I was in need of a desk lamp for my office. The top of the desk I made a couple years back from some very interesting cherry. Cherry is very sensitive to light and I didn’t want to have anything sit on top to leave a mark from blocking the sun. The desk is a …
Last summer I went to visit my Grandfather at the old family farm in Collins, Mississippi. I never grew up there but always visited, and it holds special memories for me. I always heard stories from my father of his time as a young lad and teen working on the Collins farm. A …