THUMPY BANJOS

If you’d like to get on the notification list for a Thumpy Banjo, use the contact form to get in touch. You’ll be contacted via e-mail as new Thumpy Banjos become available. If you’d like to pre-order a banjo or discuss a custom build, please get in touch and we can talk about a deposit.

Thumpy Banjo Models

Thumpy Banjos currently come in two varieties, the Ogee and the Ultra-light. Both are short-scale fretless nylon strung instruments. The Ogee model is a lot like the one pictured here…

The Ultra-light model is a lot like the one shown below. They are made to be light.

Both models are hand-crafted, so variations on the basic theme is the norm. Other variations, such as short-scale steel-strung fretted banjos and flush-fret banjos can be found among recent builds. Please browse the site to see recent explorations! Get in touch and let me know what strikes your fancy.

*** Try this banjo in person at Fretmill Music in Roanoke, Virginia ***

Five string banjo, short-scale STEEL strung fretless. Has flush frets and fret markers to aid in way finding around the fingerboard. Great for clawhammer and finger-style parlor music. Plays well in common old-time tunings like A, C, D, and G. This particular Thumpy Banjo features a 12″ rim with a renaissance head. Rim features a bearing edge, no tone-ring.

• Walnut neck, non-adjustable carbon fiber reinforced
• Flush fret
• Gotoh 2-band tuners
• 12″ maple rim
• 22.25″ scale length
• Indian Laurel fingerboard

Ultra-Light – Short-Scale – Fretless – Nylon-Strung

Five string banjo, short-scale, nylon strung, fretless. This banjo has position markers on the fingerboard and on the side of the neck. Great for clawhammer and finger-style parlor music. Plays well in common old-time tunings like A, C, D, and G. Will also go down further than G, plays well in F and B-flat. This particular Thumpy Banjo features an 11″ rim with a renaissance head. Has hard tension nylon strings. Very articulate for a fretless nylon strung banjo. Rim features a 45° bearing edge, no tone-ring. Includes new gig-bag.

Hand-Crafted in Radford, Virginia.

• Weighs in at 3 pounds 10.8 ounces
• Walnut neck, non-adjustable carbon fiber reinforced
• Gotoh 2-band tuners with geared Gotoh fifth peg
• 11″ multi-ply maple rim with bearing edge
• 22.25″ scale length
• Indian Laurel fingerboard and peghead overlay
• Nickel hardware
• Thumb scoop
• Strings through the rim at the tail

Five-string, short-scale, flush-fret, steel-strung banjo. Great for clawhammer and finger-style parlor music. Plays well in common old-time tunings like A, C, D, and G.

Free shipping in the lower 48 states. All others please reach out to make arrangements.

Includes new gig-bag. Hand-Crafted in Radford, Virginia.

• Walnut neck – Carbon fiber reinforced (non-adjustable)
• Fretless fingerboard – Indian Laurel, flush-fret, 16″ radius, scoop & thumb scoop
• 22.25″ scale length
• 11″ Multi-ply Maple Rim – rolled brass tone ring, string through
• Gotoh tuners in nickel
• Custom 5-hole bridge with wide string spacing and offset 5th string
• Weight: about 4 pounds & 1 ounce

Try this banjo in person at the Floyd Country Store

Five string banjo, short-scale nylon strung fretless. Has very, very subtle fret markers to aid in way finding around the fingerboard. Fret markers may be tough to see in the photos. Great for clawhammer and finger-style parlor music. Plays well in common old-time tunings like A, C, D, and G. Will also go down further than G, plays well in F and B-flat. This particular Thumpy Banjo features a 12″ rim with a renaissance head. Has extra hard tension nylon strings. Very articulate for a fretless nylon strung banjo. Rim features a bearing edge, no tone-ring.

• Walnut neck, non-adjustable carbon fiber reinforced
• Gotoh 2-band tuners
• 12″ maple rim
• 22.25″ scale length
• Indian Laurel fingerboard