Custom Banjo Models
I build a line of four banjo models, each with a distinct voice shaped by rim size and design. While the models differ, every banjo is built with the same care and attention to detail.
The sound draws from the flavor of a dark fiddle and the mood of a warm mandolin, with an emphasis on warmth and wood over metal. Here in the shop, I like to use an integral block hardwood tone ring and hand-selected goat skin heads to help move these banjos in that direction.
Here’s a quick look at the four core models, each with its own feel and personality:
- The Cumberland, features a full and generous 12-inch rim.
- The Broadway, features a traditional 11-inch rim and standard 25.5″ scale neck
- The Tennessee Belle features a thinner 11″ rim and a short-scale 23.5″ neck
- The Governor, features a resounding and memorable 13-inch rim.
12″ Cumberland
The Cumberland is my most popular model, and for good reason. Built around a full 12-inch rim, it offers a deeper, warmer voice with plenty of air and sustain — the kind of sound that invites you to slow down and settle in.
Most Cumberlands are built from walnut with a goatskin head, bringing out a rich, woody warmth and an open, resonant response. It responds well to a lighter touch, but has plenty of horsepower when you lean into it — a banjo that resonates inward as much as it projects outward, equally at home in a jam or a quiet evening on the porch, chasing your own tune.
11″ Broadway
The Broadway is a great all-purpose banjo, equally at home at downtown gigs or living-room jams. Built around a traditional 11-inch rim, its extended rim depth and slightly narrowed rim wall produce surprising depth and resonance, with plenty of snap when you need it.
With a standard 25.5” scale, the reach feels comfortable and solid. Paired with a goatskin head, the Broadway projects clear and warm. Add a built-in pickup and it’s ready for the stage.
11″ Tennessee BELLE
The Tennessee Belle is built around an 11-inch rim with a thinner rim wall, making it lighter in weight while still delivering the clear, resonant voice you expect from an 11-inch banjo. Paired with a shorter 23.5” scale neck, it feels immediately comfortable in the hands — easier on the arm, with a shorter reach and closer fret spacing that makes long playing sessions feel relaxed and natural.
That shorter scale also makes the Tennessee Belle especially happy living in A or Double D tuning. It tunes up easily and confidently, making it a natural fit for jams with fiddle players — and a handy option when you don’t want to worry too much about where your capo wandered off to. At the same time, it performs just as well down in standard G or Double C, holding together with a balanced, musical response across the range.
Light, responsive, and inviting, the Tennessee Belle is a banjo you can curl up with on the couch and play for hours. It sits easily in the hands and feels just as natural played quietly on your own as it does leaning into tunes with friends.
13″ Governor
The Governor is the most distinctive voice in my line. Built around a spacious 13-inch rim, it reaches deep into the low end and simply won’t let go. That depth doesn’t come at the expense of balance—the Governor treats the entire fingerboard evenly, allowing even the highest notes to ring with a width and clarity you’ll long remember.
Warm and weighty, the Governor leans toward depth, sustain, and a broad, enveloping tone. It’s especially well suited to players who favor low-end authority and a wide response, and it performs beautifully in studio settings, where its strong fundamentals translate into a clear, grounded sound.
Help me decide
If you’re not quite sure which model fits you best, that’s completely normal. Most folks end up with a favorite once we talk things through — a short conversation usually brings things into focus pretty quickly. Here are a few broad starting points to help you get oriented:
- The Governor (13”) – Offers a wide, open voice with strong low notes and a sense of space across the fingerboard — distinctive, deep, and memorable.
- The Broadway (11”) – A balanced, all-around banjo with a clear, focused voice that works equally well for solo playing, small gatherings, or time on stage.
- The Tennessee Belle (11”, short scale) – Lighter in weight and easier on the arm, especially comfortable in A or Double D, while still holding together well in G or Double C.
- The Cumberland (12”) – Leans toward depth and warmth, with a fuller, more resonant sound that rewards a relaxed, unhurried hand.
Whether you’re ready to move ahead, have a few questions, or just want to talk through ideas, I’m happy to help.
“Dave builds banjos that invite you to slow down and listen. This one won’t leave my lap.” – Steve