I have known Lil Rev for many years and have built several instruments for him in the past. He is a hard working folk musician, a talented multi instrumentalist, a prolific author and an A+ human. He also is the first person I ever saw play an ukulele!

He has been playing baritone ukulele a lot lately and asked for a banjo with the same scale and strings. We chose an 11” walnut block rim and a walnut and pistachio neck with my custom string set. He also suggested darkening the brass hardware, which was a fun project that I hope to use again in the future. He asked for a wooden arm rest, just as one of our suppliers, Balsam Banjo Works, released their new model. I was happy to use hooks, nuts and rim bolts from my friend Brooks Masten, whose elegant hardware is always a joy to use. This instrument is dark and rich, but very loud and resonant. I can’t wait to hear it in Rev’s hands! The walnut is from my friend Cath on Vashon island and the pistachio is from California orchards.