Open-Back Banjos
You'll find that my "Standard" banjos include many features that are options on other makers' instruments. That's a deliberate choice I make. Everything that goes into my banjos contributes to the sound, playability, and aesthetic that make them a unique heirloom-quality Ashoka banjo. I find that taking things away to save money in the short run is not worth it in the long run. Once you've played a radiused fingerboard, you'll wonder why they're not all radiused, for instance. Once you realize how much stiffer a headstock is when you laminate the front and back, resulting in more volume and sustain, you'll wonder why they're not all laminated. The list goes on...
(Not so) Standard Specs:
* indicates items which are often only offered at additional cost with other makers
- 11" or 12" bent Hardwood 1/2" Rim - maple, cherry, or walnut
- Cast Bronze Tailpiece
- *Aged Brass Hardware
- Gotoh Tuners (1:4 ratio)
- *Handcrafted Intonated Halfmoon Bridge, Eastern Maple and Ebony
- *Real Wood Bindings and Purflings
- *Bound fingerboard (wood)
- *Back peghead overlay with volute for strength, stability, and beauty
- Two-way adjustable truss rod
- High crown frets for better volume, tone, and cleaner slides and hammer-ons
- *Frailing "S" Scoop
- Fyberskin or Renaissance Head (calf or goat skin available for $150)
- 1/4" Rolled Brass Tonering
- 25 5/8" and 25" scale lengths are standard - others available
- 1 3/8" nut width
- 1 7/8" bridge spacing
- Polyurethane finish for durability and natural feel
- Hardshell Case or Gig Bag
- Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original owner
* indicates items which are often only offered at additional cost with other makers
Cast Bronze Tailpiece:
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Half Moon Bridge:
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Base Price: US$3900
Ordering: To secure uour place on my build list, I will accept a $500 non-refundable deposit. Payment can be made via check, cash, or PayPal. You don't have to decide on every detail right up front. When comes time to start your banjo, we will discuss all the details and work out the final cost, 50% of which (less the deposit) will be due once I start construction. The final balance is due when complete and prior to shipping. I would love to deliver your banjo to you in person at my shop in Ladysmith, or we can arrange for shipping.
Options:
Optional features are too numerous to fully list here. Suffice it to say, if you can dream it, I can probably build it. One of the great joys of my craft is developing a personal relationship with my clients that elevates the process of building banjos from transaction to trust. So if you have ideas for designs, inlays, onlays, hardware, or wood choices, please let me know!
Some Option Prices:
cast bronze bracket shoes: $400
calfskin or goatskin head: $150
Rickard Cyclone 10:1 tuners: $250
wood armrest: $125
Optional features are too numerous to fully list here. Suffice it to say, if you can dream it, I can probably build it. One of the great joys of my craft is developing a personal relationship with my clients that elevates the process of building banjos from transaction to trust. So if you have ideas for designs, inlays, onlays, hardware, or wood choices, please let me know!
Some Option Prices:
cast bronze bracket shoes: $400
calfskin or goatskin head: $150
Rickard Cyclone 10:1 tuners: $250
wood armrest: $125
Cast Bronze Bracket Shoes:
