Pictures of banjos & bluegrass stuff
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| UPDATED MAY 17, 2008 |
My first home built (parts) arch top banjo. Started in August 2002, Finished May, 2006.
This banjo is now owned by Don New of Risco, MO.
The pot consists of a Sullivan 40 hole arch top tone ring, a 3 ply rock maple rim, one piece flange. The neck
is presentation curley maple, rosewood fretboard, wreath inlay on the peg head and florentine on the fret
board, custom built for me by First Quality Music. I just can't say enough about Bill Sullivan and the rest of
the folks at First Quality. Their name says it all about the workmanship and customer service, it's first
class all the way. Besides that, they are just plain old good people too. They also did a fine job of matching
the finish to that of the Steve Gill Resonator. An old style Kershner tail piece and a Hatfield bridge finish it
off. It has that Stanley sound that I love so much. Now if I could just pick as good as Dr. Ralph does............
Click on the images for a larger view
This banjo is now owned by Don New of Risco, MO.
The pot consists of a Sullivan 40 hole arch top tone ring, a 3 ply rock maple rim, one piece flange. The neck
is presentation curley maple, rosewood fretboard, wreath inlay on the peg head and florentine on the fret
board, custom built for me by First Quality Music. I just can't say enough about Bill Sullivan and the rest of
the folks at First Quality. Their name says it all about the workmanship and customer service, it's first
class all the way. Besides that, they are just plain old good people too. They also did a fine job of matching
the finish to that of the Steve Gill Resonator. An old style Kershner tail piece and a Hatfield bridge finish it
off. It has that Stanley sound that I love so much. Now if I could just pick as good as Dr. Ralph does............
Click on the images for a larger view
The pictures just below are of my second home build (parts) banjo. This one has a no hole Sullivan
flathead conversion tone ring in it. Man, that is one powerful tone ring. It's got that dry hollow
sound with lots of punch and is clear as a bell up the neck. It has a cooperman 3 ply rock maple
rim, a straight grain maple neck and a maple resonator. It's the perfect contrast to my arch top
above.
This banjo is now owned by my good friend Doug Ball.
flathead conversion tone ring in it. Man, that is one powerful tone ring. It's got that dry hollow
sound with lots of punch and is clear as a bell up the neck. It has a cooperman 3 ply rock maple
rim, a straight grain maple neck and a maple resonator. It's the perfect contrast to my arch top
above.
This banjo is now owned by my good friend Doug Ball.
| Click the images for a full size view |
This is my old Harmony long neck from the '60s that I found on E-bay and did a little
re-designing on. The peg head is reshaped and re finished. I changed the pot out to a
Stew Mac aluminum arch top. Changed the tuners from the old guitar style to planetary
type and a geared 5th string peg. Added an engraved arm rest and Presto tail piece.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.
re-designing on. The peg head is reshaped and re finished. I changed the pot out to a
Stew Mac aluminum arch top. Changed the tuners from the old guitar style to planetary
type and a geared 5th string peg. Added an engraved arm rest and Presto tail piece.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.
This is Coyote Ridge. A bluegrass and acoustic music band from
Chatham county, North Carolina. They are my favorite local bluegrass group.
Aside from the fact that they are good friends, their music is GOOD!!
They are, from left: Len Camp, Spencer Mobley, Stacey Stuart, Doug Stuart,
Greg Henkle, and Eddie Ingram.
Mostly they play around the central and piedmont North Carolina area, but
you can catch them occasionally at Raymond Fairchild's Maggie Valley Opry
House. If you ever get an opportunity to see and hear them, Don't miss it!
Click Here to visit the Coyote Ridge web site.
Click on the photo to see a full size view
Chatham county, North Carolina. They are my favorite local bluegrass group.
Aside from the fact that they are good friends, their music is GOOD!!
They are, from left: Len Camp, Spencer Mobley, Stacey Stuart, Doug Stuart,
Greg Henkle, and Eddie Ingram.
Mostly they play around the central and piedmont North Carolina area, but
you can catch them occasionally at Raymond Fairchild's Maggie Valley Opry
House. If you ever get an opportunity to see and hear them, Don't miss it!
Click Here to visit the Coyote Ridge web site.
Click on the photo to see a full size view
Pickin with Doug Ball, George Riddle
and Frank Buchanan
and Frank Buchanan
| Me and Raymond Fairchild |
Pickin at the office Christmas party.
L-R: Me, Howard Bumgardner,
Donnie Bumgardner, and Doug Ball
L-R: Me, Howard Bumgardner,
Donnie Bumgardner, and Doug Ball
This an old guitar that I picked
up and re-shaped the neck to a 5
string.
I tune it and play it like a banjo.
click the image for large view
up and re-shaped the neck to a 5
string.
I tune it and play it like a banjo.
click the image for large view
This is some pictures of my banjo that I took
to concerts with me and had them autographed.
The autographs are from left to right:
Steve Sparkman, Jim Mills, and Dr. Ralph
Stanley.
Click the image for large view.
to concerts with me and had them autographed.
The autographs are from left to right:
Steve Sparkman, Jim Mills, and Dr. Ralph
Stanley.
Click the image for large view.
This is my latest project just finished Nov. of 2009. Unplated Sullivan 40 hole
raised head tone ring. Tube & plate flange with mahagony neck and resonator
Modified style 1 inlays. Click the thumbnails for larger views.
raised head tone ring. Tube & plate flange with mahagony neck and resonator
Modified style 1 inlays. Click the thumbnails for larger views.
This is a mixed breed. Gold Star GF-100 pot with a maple neck and resonator.
I guess it's a hybrid GF200. Sounds pretty good if you like flat heads.
Click the thumbnail for a larger view.
I guess it's a hybrid GF200. Sounds pretty good if you like flat heads.
Click the thumbnail for a larger view.