Will's List of Banjo Makers, Builders & Manufacturers

This is a list of builders of 5-string banjos, both Bluegrass (5-string resonator) and Traditional (open back) models. These builders may make other types as well. Inclusion on the list is entirely at Will's discretion but no compensation or gratuity is required or accepted.

Want to get on this list? Have a problem with this list? Find an error?

Click the bar to view more details about the maker. Click the blue globe to visit the maker's Web site.

  • American Made Banjo Co.

    Kel Kroydon banjos.

    P.O. Box 8190
    North Port, FL USA 34290
    +1 (339) 219-3047
    www.americanmadebanjo.com

    Made in USA

  • Ballard Banjers

    Ballard Banjers

    Leon Ballard
    www.ballardbanjers.com

    Made in UK

    Last updated: August 18, 2024

  • Bishline Banjos

    Rob Bishline
    1739 South Sheridan Rd.
    Tulsa, OK USA 74112
    +1 (918) 551-6419
    www.bishlinebanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Brooks Banjos

    Peghead

    Custom open back 5-string banjos for traditional old-time music.

    Brooks Masten
    Portland, OR USA
    +1 (503) 568-3044
    www.brooksbanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Buckeye Banjos

    Buckeye Banjos

    The Custom Banjo order list is currently closed for the foreseeable future while Buckeye works through its backlog of orders. Check the site for the first Standard model, the B100.

    Greg Galbreath
    P.O. Box 132
    Eggleston, VA USA 24086
    +1 (540) 230-0085
    www.buckeyebanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 28, 2024

  • Capek Bluegrass & Jazz Instruments

    Rostislav ?apek
    Zubatého 9, 150 00
    PRAGUE, 5 Czech Republic
    +420-603-868120
    www.capek.us

    Made in Czech Republic

  • CB Guitars

    Peghead

    Unusual among small luthiers for building both banjos and guitars.

    Sadly, Chris Bozung passed away on July 20, 2024.

    Chris Bozung
    7151 New Hope Road
    Fairview, TN USA
    +1 (615) 799-9217
    www.cbguitars.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 18, 2024

  • Cedar Mountain Banjos

    Peghead

    Founded by Lo Gordon, now in the hands of his son.

    Tim Gardner
    Cedar Mountain, NC USA
    www.cedarmtnbanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 21, 2024

  • Chuck Lee

    Peghead

    Chuck Lee Banjo Company, Inc.
    112 Silverwood Drive
    Ovilla, TX USA 75154
    +1 (972) 617-5576
    www.chuckleeinc.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Clareen Banjos   Updated!

    Clareen Banjos

    As might be expected from the location, the majority of the business is in 4-string banjos. Some 5-strings are made each year.

    Tom & Fintan Cussen
    Clarinbridge, Co. Galway IRL H91 Yp28
    +353 91 796156
    www.banjo.ie

    Made in Ireland

    Last updated: September 27, 2024

  • Cloverlick Banjos

    Peghead

    Oldtime openback banjos.

    Jeffrey P. Kramer
    249 South Kane Street
    Burlington, WI USA 53105
    +1 (262) 492-9883
    www.cloverlickbanjoshop.com

    Made in USA

  • Deanocraft Custom Banjos

    Dean O. Robinson
    Bryson City, SC USA
    www.deanocraft.com

    Made in USA

  • Deering

    Peghead

    Home of Tenbrooks, Vega, and the ubiquitous Goodtime models. An impressive list of artists.

    3733 Kenora Drive
    Spring Valley, CA USA 91977
    +1 (619) 464-8252
    www.deeringbanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • DP Hopkins

    Two brands, DP Hopkins and Louzee, from the same builders.

    DP Hopkins, Inc.
    3563 Highway 231 North
    Shelbyville, TN USA 37160
    +1 (931) 580-5742
    dphopkinsbanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Epiphone

    Epiphone

    Banjos are once again available from Epiphone. Sadly, Earl Scruggs has been demoted from Gibson to Epiphone.

    209 10th Ave South, Suite 460
    Nashville, TN USA 37203
    +1 (800) 444-2766
    www.epiphone.com

    Made in Japan?

    Last updated: August 18, 2024

  • Gibson Banjos

    What is arguably the most famous banjo brand in the world ceased manufacturing following Nashville's 2010 flood. Astonishing.

    However, Epiphone now has several models of Bluegrass banjos, including an Earl Scruggs signature model. At the Gibson site under the menu "Acoustic," you will find an entry beneath "Mandolins" titled "Epiphone Bluegrass Collection." It will take you to the Epiphone website.

    Also, check my Epiphone listing above.

    Editorial Note: How can the brand that defined the instrument just vanish overnight? It's not that there aren't truly excellent alternatives - there are less expensive instruments that are better than the run-of-the-mill Gibsons made in 2012. But what of the tradition, the history? Sad. Tragic.

    209 10th Ave S, Suite 460
    Nashville, TN USA 7203
    +1 (615) 871-4500
    www.gibson.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Gold Star

    Solid banjos from the company that gave us the legendary Gold Stars of the '70s & '80s.

    Saga Musical Instruments
    137 Utah Avenue
    South San Francisco, CA USA 94080
    +1 (650) 588-5558
    www.sagamusic.com

    Made in China

  • Gold Tone

    Peghead

    One of the most comprehensive lines of banjos of all types from any company.

    3656 Hopkins Avenue
    Titusville, FL USA 32780
    +1 (800) 826-5482
    www.goldtone.com

    Made in USA, parts from Korea

  • Grundy Banjos

    Moved from Australia to Missouri!

    Laurie Grundy
    Eminence, MS USA
    +1 (417) 839-5951
    www.grundybanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 18, 2024

  • Hatfield

    Arthur Hatfield
    791 Burton Ridge Road
    Glasgow, KY USA 42141
    +1 (270) 646-5219
    www.hatfieldbanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Hendricks Banjos

    Allen & Monte Hendricks
    PO Box 1197
    Pollock Pines, CA USA 95726
    www.hendricksbanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Hickler Banjos

    Hickler Banjos is a custom shop specializing in reproduction necks and rim tone research. Saving the world one banjo at a time!

    Mark Hickler
    1026 W. 6th Place
    Mesa, AZ USA 85201
    www.hicklerbanjo.com

    Made in USA

  • Hoyt Banjos

    Open back banjos and other folk instruments built in the Adirondacks.

    Zachary Hoyt
    P.O. Box 168 (354 Main St)
    Piercefield, NY USA 12973
    +1 (315) 405-1901
    hoytbanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 21, 2024

  • Huber

    118 M Mid Town Court
    Hendersonville, TN USA 37075
    +1 (615) 264-4959
    www.huberbanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Huss and Dalton

    420 Bridge Street
    Staunton, VA USA 24401
    +1 (540) 887-2313
    www.hussanddalton.com

    Made in USA

  • J. Romero Banjos

    Peghead

    Lovely banjos, beautifully crafted.

    Box 124
    Horsefly, BC CAN V0L 1L0
    +1 (250) 620-0592
    www.romerobanjos.com

    Made in Canada

  • LeVan Banjos

    Peghead

    Openback and bluegrass banjos, entirely hand made; Standard “New Vintage” and custom.

    In February, 2024, Ken LeVan passed away.

    Ken LeVan
    Shunk, PA USA
    +1 (570) 924-4080
    www.levanbanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 18, 2024

  • Louzee

    Two brands, DP Hopkins and Louzee, from the same builders.

    DP Hopkins, Inc.
    3563 Highway 231 North
    Shelbyville, TN USA 37160
    +1 (931) 580-5742
    www.louzee.com

    Made in USA

  • Morgan Monroe

    Peghead

    SHS International, the holding company for Morgan Monroe, was sold to Chesbro. Only two banjos are currently in the lineup. I know nothing about them, but they are low cost.

    Chesbro Music Co.
    327 W. Broadway St
    Idaho Falls, ID USA 83402
    +1 (208) 522-8691
    www.chesbroretail.com

    Made in China?

    Last updated: August 20, 2024

  • Neat Custom Banjos

    Legendary neck maker.

    Frank Neat
    84 Womack Street
    Russell Springs, KY USA 42642
    +1 (270) 866-4515
    www.frankneat.com

    Made in USA

  • Nechville

    Unique. An entirely different approach to pot construction.

    9700 Humboldt Avenue South
    Bloomington, MN USA 55431
    +1 (747) 222-6567
    www.nechville.com

    Made in USA

  • Ome

    Now a division of Gold Tone. Formerly by the inimitable Chuck Ogsbury.

    5680 Valmont Road
    Boulder, CO USA 80301
    +1 (303) 449-0041
    www.omebanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Pisgah Banjo Company   Updated!

    Open-back banjos, hand-made in the Appalachian mountains with native hardwoods.

    Patrick Sawyer
    Asheville, NC USA
    (828) 338-3488
    pisgahbanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: September 12, 2024

  • Prucha Bluegrass Banjos

    Jaroslav Prucha
    Prague CZ
    +420 241 760 704
    www.pruchabanjos.cz

    Made in Czech Republic

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Quail Creek Banjos

    Peghead

    A lifelong guitarist, tinkerer and learner, I became interested in building open-back banjos while learning clawhammer-style banjo.

    Lindsay Lewellen
    Charlotte, NC USA
    +1 (303) 324-6732
    www.quailcreekbanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: September 25, 2021

  • Recording King

    A division of TML, The Music Link.

    www.recordingking.com

    Made in China

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Rickard Banjos

    Rickard Banjos

    The one-armed banjo maker. Open-back models, plus an interesting resophonic model. Home of the Rickard "Cyclone" 10:1 tuners.

    Bill Rickard
    245 Industrial Pkwy S.
    Aurora, ON CAN L4G 3V5
    (905) 727-8686
    rickardbanjos.com

    Made in Canada

    Last updated: August 21, 2024

  • Saga Musical Instruments

    A comprehensive lineup including Gold Star, Flinthill, Saga and Rover models. No direct sales; through dealers only. Don't buy the DIY banjo kits; you'll never get satisfaction if something is wrong.

    137 Utah Avenue
    South San Francisco, CA USA 94080
    +1 (650) 588-5558
    www.sagamusic.com

    Made in China

  • Seeders Instruments

    Mostly open-back models. Began building full time in 2014.

    William Seeders Mosheim
    23 Goodwood Lane, PO Box 442
    Dorset, VT USA 5251
    802-829-7317
    www.seedersinstruments.com

    Made in USA

  • Sloan Banjos

    Formerly J. A. Sloan & Son. Founded in 1959 by John Sloan, continued by Peter Sloan, and in 2012 acquired by the Allisons.

    Philip Allison
    League City, TX USA 77573
    www.sloanbanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Stealth

    Unique.

    Scott Vestal
    Greenbrier, TN USA 37073
    +1 (615) 429-6835
    www.stealthbanjo.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Stelling Banjo Works

    Peghead

    7258 Banjo Lane
    Afton, VA USA 22920
    +1 (800) 5-STRING
    www.stellingbanjo.com

    Made in USA

  • Stone Banjo Company

    Stone Banjo Company

    Custom, affordable open-back banjos.

    Steve Gerritsen
    133 Marion Drive
    McMurray, PA USA 15317
    (412) 303-8461
    www.stonebanjo.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Sullivan Banjo Company

    From the Sullivans of First Quality Music fame.

    However, I'm not sure what's going on with the business, as the site seems static since 2012.

    Louisville, KY USA
    www.sullivanbanjo.com

    Made in USA

  • Sylvan Banjos

    Fine, traditional, open-back banjos

    Danny Moloney
    183 Cloverdale Dr.
    Glasgow, KY USA 42141
    www.sylvanbanjos.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: June 19, 2022

  • Tranjo

    The ultimate travel banjo by Sam Farris. Unique, clever, a must-see. Gold Tone has licensed one model.

    Farris Travel Banjo Company
    409 Benton Lane
    Franklin, TN USA
    +1 (615) 456-5486
    www.tranjo.com

    Made in USA

    Last updated: August 19, 2024

  • Vance Banjos

    Custom, old-time banjos.

    Colin J. Vance
    PO Box 89
    Blue Lake, CA USA 95525
    +1 (707) 845-9524
    www.vancebanjos.com

    Made in USA

  • Washburn Guitars

    A division of U.S. Music.

    1000 Corporate Grove Drive
    Buffalo Grove, IL USA 60089
    +1 (800) 877-6863
    www.washburn.com

At its peak, this list had 79 active entries. As of today, there are 48. This is surely a disturbing trend. Sadly, some builders passed away. But many of the defunct listings were for old-time, open-back banjos and most of these were from one-man shops; perhaps competition in this segment was severe and the loss of companies represents a thinning of the herd.

If you know of any builders not on this list, please let me know.

The images used in this list are usually provided by their respective builders and are the copyrighted property of those builders. The images may have been edited by me for placement or size.

section divider

How to Get On This List

The following are my criteria for inclusion in this list.

  • The banjos must be available for sale in the United States.
  • The builder must make and sell at least 12 banjos per year or have a history of having done so.
  • The builder must have a Web site. Folks come here for research purposes and without a site, there is little value in the listing.
  • The builder must provide me with a contact email address. The address can be kept private if desired, or the builder can provide one public and one private address.
  • I request one image to be used as a thumbnail for your listing. Please submit a PNG or maximum resolution JPG that is square. Suggested size is 800px; larger accepted.

I reserve the right to remove a listing without notice if the maker's Web site goes offline or I am unable to get in touch with a builder within a reasonable amount of time.

No compensation or gratuity is accepted for inclusion on this list. Inclusion is at my sole discretion.

Please use my contact form to get in touch.