A Thumpy Banjo is an instrument capable of inspiring a person (dancer, listener, or player) to pat their feet, foot, or other part of their being in such a way as to create a thumping sound in the physical environment or within their own mind or body.
A celebration of music, Thumpy Banjos are built to be played, shared, and enjoyed. These instruments make a fine companion for a summer festival or a rainy day around the house. Great for old-time, clawhammer, and various fingerstyles. Built in Southwestern Virginia.
About the Builder
My name is Bob Browder. The banjo is a long-time source of comfort, inspiration, and joy for me. Early on in my exploration of playing music, the banjo seemed to me to be an instrument that loves a person for who they are. The music just falls out of it. It sounds good the first time you strum across it. The banjo has brought me a lot of joy and has allowed to share a lot of joy with others.
I have a life-long fascination with sound. My love of music stems from this love of sound. Sound and music happen in the present moment. Living in the moment yields a wide variety of special experiences. The banjo and its music are a wonderful way to to connect with the here and now.
I started building banjos around 2004. I studied banjo building with Mac Traynham for about four years, building banjos that were largely Vega inspired steel strung banjos. Then, I explored gourd banjos exclusively for a few years. I love the simplicity and Earthiness of the gourd banjo. In this building experience I learned about nylon strung, short-scale, fretless banjos. I love how flexible, dynamic, and comfortable this banjo format can be. Taking what I learned from Mac and blending it with the experience gained in working with nylon strung, short-scale, fretless gourd banjos, the result is a banjo with many contemporary build features, but also some of the simplicity offered by the short-scale fretless format.
Recently, my builds have been trending more contemporary, incorporating steel strings and frets. The exploration of the banjo continues and is a great adventure to me.
Like any contemporary creative, my work rests on a foundation prepared by those who have come before me. I send out my gratitude to all those who have supported me in my experiment of learning about the banjo and its sounds through the creative process. I also send out my gratitude to the innumerable people of the past who have given time and energy from their lives to make the banjo an enduring vehicle for self-expression, community building, comfort, and in the moment experiences.