Built in December 2009. 5-string Standard model, Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard with abalone dots, checkered purfling and rosette, flamed koa binding, ebony buttoned Gotoh tuners, Brazilian rosewood headplate and bridge. The Sitka/East Indian combination gives this banjola a particularly loud and clear sound.
“I’ve had some time to play the banjola, and I must say that I’m very happy. 1) it’s a beautiful instrument- I love the fact that it’s clearly handmade, yet is built impeccably well. 2) tone- I love the tone- very bell like, and that lower bass string gives some added low end. I enjoy playing it both with and without picks. 3) I find myself playing stuff I’ve never tried before- the combination of the lower bass string with the high g string allows me to play very guitar- like passages on the 5 long strings, and then throw in a banjoesque lick using the high g. Blues, folk, old timey, bluegrasssy and celtic sounds seem to all work well.”
John Anderson, Congers N.Y.
Listen to this banjola: