I have spent years stockpiling nice maple to use for banjos, but customers rarely ask for it. Maybe they already have a maple banjo and are ordering from me to get a less common wood. I’m always happy to use it, though. I like the look, the feel and the tone. In this case, the non steel strings combine with the maple for a crisp but mellow tone with a round sustain. The maple is from the Carpenter Ant stash in Portland and the Pistachio is from California Orchards.
