My aim is to build period correct early banjos based on designs of those made in the 19th century. There was no standard design at this time and banjos came in many scale lengths and wildly varying styles.

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I usually make my rims from single ply steam bent hardwood, but occasionally I use maple drum shells and my grain measure banjos are made using readymade objects like Victorian sieves. These banjos are design to be used with nylon / gut strings. Low tension instruments with few tensioners (occasionally tack heads) and no truss rod.

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I can either make a historically sympathetic banjo or something entirely personal to you.

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Minstrel Prices start from £950

This includes a steam bent single ply pot (11"or 12"), your choice of timber (within reason), any peghead shape, any neck shape, any scale. Hooks and brackets 6 or 8  of any design, calf skin vellum, fiddle style friction tuners, Aquila Nylgut strings.

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Tackheads £700

Includes a choice of steam bent pot, drum shell or an antique found object (Victorian bentwood sieve for example), paddle peg head, fiddle tuners, calf skin vellum.