Following the banjos are a mandolin, fiddles and a guitar--made to flesh out a complete bluegrass band. Not offered but shown as sample of elaborate inlaying in case someone wanted something incredible!!! Page on oh ye men of faith!
Banjos
A
This is of all aluminum. Obviously very light and has a good punchy sound. Has an arched top but sounds like crap with a flathead. Once used by Don Reno. Available with abalone, mother-of-pearl, aluminum or bronze.
D
Actually a very complicated unified head design. Inlays repeat every three positions until the bottom. As they widen out they change character but are actually the same.
W
Nice bound headstock design with wheat straw of abalone and mother-of-pearl. As the inlay progresses down the neck and opens up things get really tight.
G
Named for good friend Bob Gaddis who liked this design. Lots of inlay and engraving.
M
Devil's Banjo made entirely of ebony to reflect home and hearth of Mephistopheles. Stylized devil motif with red eyes down fingerboard. Has a devil's head on the resonator and back of the headstock with red abalone eyes.
H
Tree of Life. Red clear abalone in this example. One of the finest headstock designs ever. Headstock and resonator inlaid with rubies. This one is engraved--that is not standard but an option.
B
One of the three fanciest banjos ever made. Fingerboard of solid yellow pearl with butterfly inlay in multiple pearl. Headboard also solid pearl with one front on butterfly in multiple abalone. Two side views in multiple abalone, with very complicated butterfly in back. This one beautifully engraved and gold plated. Will never be replicated.
C
The Hummer Banjo. Solid mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlaid with gold vine coming out of abalone foliage with assorted hummers in multiple abalone and pearl in action. Headstock also of solid pearl with no seams with three hummers, leaves and a butterfly. Makers name in gold. Back very fancy with hummer in action with flower and leaves. All feathers on wings and tails engraved. Special resonator flange with hummer profiles. All bindings in solid gold. Will be engraved and gold-plated this spring. Never to be replicated.
Mandolin, Fiddles and Guitar
The following instruments were made to flesh out an entire bluegrass band, and are shown to demonstrate the beautiful quality of satinwood. All are inlaid to a fare-the-well.
The mandolin has a solid pearl fingerboard with inlays of pink gold, yellow gold and green gold. All are highly engraved. Headstock of gold pearl and abalone. Name in platinum. Top, back and sides inlaid with green abalone. Back inlaid with engraved-mother-of pearl. Entire instrument except spruce top made of bee's wing satinwood and finished in varnish.
Fiddles made with traditional spruce with top, backs and sides of matched satinwood. All the heads are on tapered dovetails and can be removed.
Traditional fiddle with inlaid fingerboard. Tops and back purfled with abalone.
The oriental fiddle has two heads: both of ivory. One of Hotei (the laughing one when one wants to play joyous music) and one of Jurojin for serious music. Inlaid in the back with three gentlemen in a discussion.
Ivory HeadFiddle with detachable ivory volute. Has nicely figured satinwood and less fancy inlay than the above and purfled with abalone.
The Devil's Fiddle with detachable head of ebony with red abalone eyes. Also devil inlaid in back. Purfling in pure gold. Satinwood for back and neck.
Guitar with fancy fingerboard inlaid on neck and in back. Bee's wing satin wood for backs and sides. Mahogany neck. Scheduled for more top and back inlay this year.
Shown together are four instruments that would superbly equip a bluegrass band.