Features | Wood | Castings | Build and Finish | Warranty and Service
Wood
I use only superior quality rim blanks and resonator blanks steam bent for me by Mr Jim Cox of Maine USA. The rim and resonator blanks are without doubt the very best made in the world today. The rims are made from Acer Saccharum (North American hard rock maple) and are a steam bent 3 ply construction.
The steam bent resonators are also constructed using plies of Acer Saccharum but also have a very highly figured cosmetic veneer of Acer Macrophyllum (big leaf maple) on the rear of the resonator. Walnut and mahogany are also available.
For the necks I use the highest figured and prettiest curly maple I can lay my hands on at the time of production. I shape the necks to my own standard profile or to that of the customer's liking.
Castings
Tone Ring
I call this tone ring the F34 which means formula 1934. The F34 formula is cast to the exact specifications as the result of spectrometer tests conducted on the tone ring in Mr Paul Hopkins 1934 RB4 #9639-9. Machinist Mr John Stanley also cuts the tone rings to the same dimensions for shape and weight as in Paul's banjo.
There have been many tone ring alloy variables produced over many years. However, we know that our findings matched one of those variables as in a 1934 RB4 #9639-9 from the golden era of banjos. This is the banjo once owned by Earl Scruggs and used on the legendary recording of his instrumental, Ground Speed.
Flange and Tension Hoop
The Flange and tension hoop is cast from the same F34 alloy formula as the tone ring and machined to my personal specifications. The flange slots are centralized between the rim and the resonator and therefore the flange is a little wider and will fit snugly into the resonator. The tension hoop is machined to allow for a slightly more rounded top edge and is thicker than standard.
Build and Finish
The shaping and profiling of the necks, fretting, machining of rim for tone ring and flange fit, resonator machining and fit up, bindings, neck to rim fit staining and lacquer finishing and overall detailing and quality control etc is performed by me at my Banjo Work shop at Roberts Creek Road Porepunkah Victoria 3740 Australia.
I use only the very best products available to me and I have chosen highly skilled craftsmen to undertake the specialised areas involved with my banjo production. Eg: steam bending, inlays and alloy sand casting and electro plating. I fit all parts precisely to ensure maximum transmission of vibrations through the instrument for clear projection of tone and volume and ease of playing.
I have put many years of experience, experimentation and thought into the detailing of my banjos and each one receives my personal and undivided attention from start to finish and is not delivered until it is as good as it can be. I am fortunate to have such dedicated contributions in my production from John Stanley and Denis Eastmure these craftsmen are perfectionists and understand my goals and objectives in producing the highest quality banjo that can possibly be made. I can confidently and proudly say that my Flint River Banjos are second to none because of their input.
The Flint River runs behind the home of my friend and fiddler Max Tillman of Bainbridge Georgia USA. Max taught me the culture of bluegrass music, its timing, phrasing, drive and lonesomeness. Bluegrass Music has been good to me and I have the Flint River inlay block at the nineteenth fret in honour and appreciation of Max.
Plating
24 carat Gold and Nickel plating is done by Specialised Electroplaters of Nunawading Victoria Australia. They do a superb job for me. They are also the platers used by Steve Gilchrist for the metal parts on the Gilchrist mandolin.
Inlays
Denis Eastmure of Laverton Victoria Australia can only be described as an 'inlay genius'. Denis makes my banjos look great. He has undertaken all the hand crafted pearl and abalone inlay orders on my banjo work over the years. His ability to meet the requests of customers is outstanding. Denis has a phenomenal ability to replicate photo images etc into beautiful shell inlay work.
Warranty and Service
I have an after sales service available in the USA through my representative and associate Lonnie Hoppers, who will immediately respond to any issues relating to repairs and warranty work. Alternatively, for enquires and after sales service requests in any other part of the world, I can be contacted directly. All enquires and after sales work will be attended to promptly.