Handmade Guitars by Bob Gramann

The Banjo


I like plunky open-back banjos.  These sound exactly like I want a banjo to sound.  They are made block or laminated walnut or cherry with integral hard wood tone rings.  The block rim makes a very solid foundation for the banjo's sound and tuning.  #137 has a rolled brass Dobson tone ring on a Black Cherry 3-ply rim. The armrests can be easily detached.  These are solid open-backed instruments. 


The Open Back Banjo




Banjo108  
139 - 12" Walnut 3-ply pot and walnut neck.  Walnut peghead veneer.  Metal Vega-style armrest.  Persimmon tone ring and fretless fingerboard. Fiberskyn head.  Brass Gotoh tuners. All-American woods.

It's easier to play than you might expect.  All of the chord shapes still work--the fingerboard dots are at the intonation points rather than the middle of the fret positions.  More a melody instrument than a chording one, it has a primitive, plunky sound.

On display at The House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD.

$1800
148 - 12" Black Walnut block rim with integral Osage Orange tone ring and fingerboard.  Black Walnut neck and armrest. All-American woods.  EVO frets.  Fiberskyn head.  1 3/8" nut

On display at The House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD.

$2000
 
108 - 12" walnut block pot with integral Black Locust tone ring.  Fiberskyn head, nice wide neck (1 3/8" nut).
Walnut neck.  Macassar Ebony fingerboard.

On display at Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg, VA

$2000




Bob Gramann
122 Laurel Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

(540) 898-0611
bob@bobgramann.com

1/27/23