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PyrPups - Posted - 08/04/2009: 16:53:37
If you want a banjo made in America to the exacting standards of the prewar era, Kel Kroydon has met that goal. All of the hardware has it's point of origin within the continental USA. It is nice to see some others striving to meet that goal as well but as of date, American Made Banjo Company's machine shop is the only one that has succeeded in turning the clock back over eighty years with their reproduction hoops, hooks and nuts, tailpieces, resonator lugs and all the related brackets. Quite frankly, everything metal that goes into a banjo. Even the plating process is done in the manner of that golden era with the chemicals that were available at the time. Not content with making a new part look "Vintage", AMB took the initiative to make a vintage part the way they used to be made using new materials. Big difference there! No more of buying someone else's parts of questionable origin and marketing it as their own. That includes the exceptional tone rings that have that have caught the "ear" of the most discerning professional players in the world during the last few years.
Not one to remain idle in his quest for a true reproduction, Tom Mirisola's research has been raising "sawdust" in the past year or so in rim technology, which is so vital to the tone. Today's rims are good and actually are too good in comparison to the way they were made way back when. We are soon going to see some "Reverse Engineered" rims and resonators that are sure to raise the eyebrows of lots of connoisseurs! Robin Smith has been the key component in the "sawdust shop." The future holds some great times for the banjo enthusiast! Not only will all the metal parts be available to the builder or hobbyist, I understand that the Style 10 and 11 true prewar era replica resonators are also in the offering. Touch base with Robin Smith for the straight "skinny" on some breakthroughs that are truly remarkable. Speaking of Robin, his Heartland tone ring that has been so successful for so many years now has gotten it's "degree" from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Casting processes garnered through the developmental stages of the Dannick tone ring have now been applied to Robin's tone ring. His Heartland II tone ring won't take a back seat to anything on the market. Watch for it very soon. Again, Robin can give you the straight "skinny". With his building skills and add Charlie Cushman in there tweaking the set up, what more could a picker ask for? Thanks a million Tom Mirisola, for providing the catalyst for a superb instrument. Now, all we need is "Bottled Earl" to bring out the best of the best! (I think Charlie Cushman has found that potion!) 
Kerry
Yes Sir! He''s my "blankety-blank" Buddy! You Betcha!
Edited by - PyrPups on 08/06/2009 02:55:30
Bill Rogers - Posted - 08/04/2009: 17:11:08
Well, I think Mirasola is producing Gibson-style parts, correct? So it's not quite "everything metal that goes into a banjo," since there are many other fine pre-war banjos besides the Gibson-made ones. The other shop turning out excellent pre-war style parts, though not Gibson-type, and not all precise replicas, but in Canada, not the U.S., is Bill Rickard's Banjo Workshop. Kudos to all doing this work: Bill Rickard, Hugh Hunter, Tom Mirasola and Robin Smith.
Bill
PyrPups - Posted - 08/04/2009: 17:32:27
Kudos is right Bill! Great to see this and especially in today's economy. Ya' gotta add Steve Huber in there making some fine parts as well!  
Kerry
Yes Sir! He''s my "blankety-blank" Buddy! You Betcha!
vtyankee5 - Posted - 08/05/2009: 04:35:21
I've been fortunate enough to see some of these Gibson parts over the past couple of years off and on as they evolved. From what I have seen they are first class all the way. If you ever get a chance to talk to Tom he is quite proud of what he and a slew of his friends have accomplished making all the authentic prewar Gibson style parts.
Bill; I saw a box of Gibson brass bracket shoes Tom made at a show he was a vendor at. So, he might be making other parts besides Gibson stuff. I don't think he advertises everything he makes. You would have to ask. I have no interest in other than Gibson parts, so I don't ask.
The last I heard Tom was playing around making the old diamond shape flanges in potmetal.
RB11 Player - Posted - 08/08/2009: 10:21:21
I have a flange that Tom helped me out with for my 11.
vtyankee5 - Posted - 08/10/2009: 06:50:50
Oh so right Tom. Who knows what he is working on next. Like he say's, He's having fun doing all this.
vtyankee5 - Posted - 08/12/2009: 04:18:01
Did anybody else receive the AMB flyer or catalog in the mail yet? I received mine yesterday. There's some new stuff available. Interesting turn
Gomer - Posted - 08/12/2009: 08:12:36
I am a little surprised and hurt that the luthiery of Mike Gregory has not been acknowledged. The rumors that he smuggles his parts from across the Mexican Border using the tunnels frequented by illegal immigrants has never been totally proven and I believe this gossip to be 100% false.
"ever searching for that special post-war / pre-submerged sound"
( )=====’==::
Edited by - Gomer on 08/12/2009 09:23:30
PyrPups - Posted - 08/12/2009: 14:41:32
Nice flyer and some top quality stuff!
Kerry
Yes Sir! He''s my "blankety-blank" Buddy! You Betcha!
mainejohn - Posted - 08/12/2009: 14:56:23
The fact that Jimmy Cox makes all his own parts, both metal and wood (with the exception of tuners) in his shop in Topsham, Maine, should not be overlooked.
Cheers,
John Coleman
Scarborough, Maine
PyrPups - Posted - 08/12/2009: 17:44:03
That's true John...Jimmy makes excellent parts. What the thread is about though is reproduction 20's and 30's hardware centered around Gibson banjos. Jimmy's hardware is not reproduction. Nice to see it made in the States!
Kerry
Yes Sir! He''s my "blankety-blank" Buddy! You Betcha!
DJMorgan - Posted - 08/12/2009: 18:32:07
Let's not forget Jim Burlile. Made the old school way. Made at his shop by his own hands. His tonerings were just the teaser. Can't wait for his banjos.
vtyankee5 - Posted - 08/13/2009: 05:17:12
Is it true that Burlile made all the top tension parts for Gibson at one time? AMB is taking a different route by making true replica's of 30's hardware. Does anybody else in the US make exact copies?
david64 - Posted - 08/13/2009: 06:47:18
I think that it is fantastic that you can purchase an American made banjo. I just wished there were some models that were more affordable for the average Joe Citizen. Most people have a hard time spending 3,000+ for a banjo.
mainejohn - Posted - 08/13/2009: 11:27:21
quote:
Originally posted by PyrPups
That's true John...Jimmy makes excellent parts. What the thread is about though is reproduction 20's and 30's hardware centered around Gibson banjos. Jimmy's hardware is not reproduction. Nice to see it made in the States!
Kerry
Yes Sir! He''s my "blankety-blank" Buddy! You Betcha!
...yet another example of me shooting me mouth off when I don't know what I'm talking about!  Cheers, John Coleman Scarborough, Maine
Pitts - Posted - 08/13/2009: 12:07:28
quote:
Originally posted by david64
I think that it is fantastic that you can purchase an American made banjo. I just wished there were some models that were more affordable for the average Joe Citizen. Most people have a hard time spending 3,000+ for a banjo.
The Deering Goodtime is made in the U.S.A, and can be bought for about $380. Hot Dog!
vtyankee5 - Posted - 08/13/2009: 12:35:29
quote:
Posted - 08/13/2009 : 06:47:18
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I think that it is fantastic that you can purchase an American made banjo. I just wished there were some models that were more affordable for the average Joe Citizen. Most people have a hard time spending 3,000+ for a banjo.
I think this is the ultimate goal of American Made Banjo Company. Having the cake and eat it to.
david64 - Posted - 08/13/2009: 14:26:58
quote:
The Deering Goodtime is made in the U.S.A, and can be bought for about $380.
I guess I should have said...It would be nice if there was an American made banjo that has great tone & good looks for a reasonable price. Deering Goodtimes might sound good but let's face it....They ain't the best looking ones on the block.
The Pope - Posted - 08/13/2009: 15:58:26
Steve Huber & Jim Rae are doing a new tone ring that should be a good one as well (the HR-30 ?)...
The Pope
KI #9
2 parts Masterclones
"Learn a few chords on the banjo, it''s the key to life."
Vince Gill
banjoronny - Posted - 08/17/2009: 05:54:46
quote:
Posted - 08/12/2009 : 04:18:01
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Did anybody else receive the AMB flyer or catalog in the mail yet? I received mine yesterday. There's some new stuff available. Interesting turn
I received my catalog in saturdays mail. Very nice. Banjos, parts & prices all in hand. Ron Wells
Couchie - Posted - 08/17/2009: 07:23:49
quote:
Originally posted by Gomer
I am a little surprised and hurt that the luthiery of Mike Gregory has not been acknowledged.
__________________________________________________________ I am bewildered, shocked, and quite frankly, outraged, that Mike's luthiery has received little mention. His instruments use no foreign parts at all, except the parts that are foreign to luthiery...... Don. O==''=(::} http://www.doncouchie.com
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