Slingerland - Posted - 11/04/2011:  11:13:37

Earlier in the year, I asked Charlie Glenn of Banner Elk, NC about making short scale Watauga County "mountain banjos" for my two young kids. He took time to design a functional instrument that would be fitting for a young child. He settled on a 29'' overall length, 7 3/4'' rim diamter, and a 20'' "scale" length. 

After much anticipation, they arrived today! They play and sound great. The shipping box is cool too (I sent him the computerized label).

Charlie made the one of the left for my son. He signed and dated the banjo as being "Handcrafted by Charlie Glenn for Oscar". The rim and neck are made of black walnut and the pegs are locust.

Charlie made the one of the right for my daughter. He signed and dated the banjo as being "Handcrafted by Charlie Glenn for Lucy". The rim and neck are made of cherry and the pegs are rosewood.

Charlie is a wonderful maker and a great person. I've spent hours talking and visiting with him, discussing Watauga County instruments and just about anything else. For those who don't know him, this site gives a brief bio.

watauga-arts.org/2006_instrume...arlie.htm

He's been making instruments for over 40 years, but does not want to turn it into a job. He learned from his wife's great uncle, Stanley Hicks. Money is not a motivation. He is a perfectionist and it can be seen in his work. He makes mountain banjos, bracket banjos of his own design, multiple dulcimer shapes and sizes, violins, and guitars (all from scratch). He doesn't advertise or sell through the internet. 

I also have a full size curly maple mountain banjo and a dulcimer  both built by Charlie. We've been talking about him making a dreadnought guitar made of all locally grown NC woods for me. He also is friends with Wayne Henderson, not a bad friend to have!

Curly maple mountain banjo by Charlie Glenn

Charlie working on the curly maple banjo with a banjo built by his grandfather on the right.

Charlie's "everyday car".  A 1950 Plymouth that he rebuilt. It goes up the dirt mountain roads without hesitation.

Edited by - Slingerland on 11/04/2011 11:33:05

jbalch - Posted - 11/04/2011:  14:21:24

Very Cool.  Congratulations to Oscar & Lucy.  I hope both play the banjos and pass it on....

henwaddle - Posted - 11/04/2011:  14:37:43

Our family car growing up was a 50 Plymouth. My parents drove it till it expired! You could drive it into a rock wall at 20 mph and the only damage would be to the rock wall. My brother and I were so embarassed to ride in it that we slid down in the seat so we couldn't be seen. Now both of us would give our 1st born to have it back. Nice banjers too!

erikforgod - Posted - 11/04/2011:  14:44:09

awesome these are some of the best Mtn banjos I have seen in my opinion...like the peghead and wooden fiddle pegs

R Buck - Posted - 11/04/2011:  16:19:11

I've got one of those banjos, it is maple and walnut and sweet, sweet, sweet.

Slingerland - Posted - 11/04/2011:  21:54:53

John- Thanks! I hope they like them. I know you like the modern, small shop builders. Charlie is a unknown goldmine and has ties to the "real" old timers of the region. I'd recommend his instruments to anyone, eventhough I want them all to myself.



henwaddle- Thanks! It is a fun car to tour the countryside in.



erikforgod- Thanks! Charlie's work is exception.



R Buck- I'd love to document your banjo for the Watauga County database. I know you have one of the Leonard or Clifford Glenn's banjos, but I don't know which one. Do you have any photos?

Edited by - Slingerland on 11/04/2011 21:57:24

TwoTrax - Posted - 11/11/2011:  21:04:47

Those are beauties Paul.  They really show what a craftsman he is.  It's not easy to make a miniature. I'll bet they sound great.

Number one thing on my old bucket list is to personally ask Charlie to make me a banjo.  I should have done so in June when Paul and I visited him and he chauffeured us up this mountain road and down that mountain road all afternoon in that old Plymouth.  I could slap myself for not taking the opportunity to ask him then, but then I didn't have the resources.

I chose the back seat for the whole day and loved every second and word spoken with Charlie Glenn.  He is a national treasure. I felt like a king in the backseat of that Dodge, alone to stretch out and driving to Charlie's house and to Sliding Rock, where the locals cool off.  It was around 100 degrees that day but was a good 20 degrees cooler at Sliding Rock.  The water temp was about 60 and it was shaded.  It was Mother Natures AC.  Plus we had the 440 air on all that day, you know, roll down all four windows an drive 40 mph.  All in all a very good trip to Beech Mountain and Watauga County, NC.  BTW, that picture of the old Dodge was taken on the side of the road next to Sliding Rock.  

I only ask one thing, please don't order anything until I can get him to agree to make me one.  There is no substitute for his instruments.  Gotta have one no matter what it takes.

Edited by - TwoTrax on 11/11/2011 21:08:38

Slingerland - Posted - 11/16/2011:  09:58:31

Great memories for sure! Thanks for sharing.

Get writing that letter to Charlie!

frailinrebel - Posted - 12/22/2011:  08:38:13

how much does he charge?

Slingerland - Posted - 12/22/2011:  08:49:24

I don't want to speak for him, so I won't. All aspects of his instruments are handmade by him (with the exception of the strings, head, and screws). He uses high quality locally sourced woods. They are premium instruments. That being said, I think his instruments are a great bargain considering the time he spends on each one. Price varies by wood choice, finish choice, and other variables.



The curly maple banjo in my initial post took him 63 hours to complete (of actual work time). The two little banjos each took longer than 63 hours to complete. He spends in excess of 200 hours on his violins. His guitars and dulcimers are also very time consuming.



He doesn't make that many instruments by choice. You will not be disappointed by his instruments. I'd give him a call. If nothing else, he is a really great guy to talk to! If you wouldn't ming and you end up calling, tell him that Paul from Ohio sent you.



Charlie Glenn

405 Wiley Harmon Rd.

Banner Elk, NC 28604

828-297-3432

Edited by - Slingerland on 12/22/2011 08:57:06

XXXris - Posted - 12/22/2011:  09:58:38

Thanks for posting these....I want one!