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.
Sharing banjo knowledge is also a big part of my work. The banjo is an excellent entry point to building stringed instruments. I’ve been really fortunate to receive guidance in banjo making from my friend and banjo building mentor, Mac Traynham. I’m pleased to be able to share some of what I’ve learned from working with Mac in our book and website, BanjoCraft. I also give banjo lessons.
