I have been thinking about making some banjos with the same philosophy as my Scout ukuleles: lighter weight, humble designs, cheerful tone and made from whatever scraps are floating through the shop. The main thing that has been holding me back is producing thin, lightweight, laminated rims. These are made much differently than my normal block rims, they are steamed, bent and glued together from two oak layers. I was going for an old timey, chipper tone and it worked. I also learned a lot about steam bending rims and look forward to producing more.

I paired this rim with a Myrtle neck, oak fretboard and some walnut trim. It has less brass hardware than normal, a flat fretboard, a skin head, geared tuners, fluorocarbon strings and comes in a gig bag.

“Hallo again, Keims. :-)
Pictures and your video were great, but still didn’t quite capture the overall golden hue of this one, and how well the oak and myrtle go together (as is typical, more muted/blended in person than in images which tend to highlight grain and contrast that the eye doesn’t typically see.)

Plus, your finish combo + these woods = smells like brewed black tea. :-)

And, what a perfect instrument *for me*. Meaning, my instincts from afar are more than confirmed now that I have this in hand, strumming and plinking and plucking, which is a great feeling in and of itself.

The size, weight, balance and minimal appointments (with those great brass fittings still an abundance, relative to any other instrument I own!) suit me so very well, and boy howdy what great tone. I don’t know if I can get away with calling it (or any banjo!) mellifluous— hah — but it’s just so... smooth— plenty of twing and the twang and some spank when wanted, but without the harshness(?) I’ve encountered in others.
I’m going to have a *lot* of fun with this one. :-)

It’s different and it’s great and I love that you made it, and that it’s mine.

Thanks again!
- S. S.
”