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esullivan - Posted - 11/09/2019: 19:31:08
I would like to begin by thanking all of our loyal banjo family for the continued support over the last 49 years. Working in a family business has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. My father Bill Sullivan started First Quality Banjo back in 1970 with the idea of supplying high quality banjo parts and accessories to builders and players. First Quality Banjo was located in Dad's home for 28 years until we moved the operation to our local industrial park and changed the name to First Quality Musical Supplies. With continued growth our name changed again to reflect our ever expanding offerings and we became First Quality Music. What started as a banjo parts supply company had grown into one of the regions largest high end music stores carrying everything from banjo side dot material to high end electric guitars. We always ran a banjo parts manufacturing side helping both the small individual builder and large manufacturers but to many we had grown away from our roots.
With next year marking our 50th year in business it seems we have come full circle. What started with Mom and Dad working from a shop at home and then moving to the industrial park is now coming back home. My wife Marsha and I are now the sole owners and we have a new name and new location. First Quality Music is now officially Sullivan Banjo Co. and we are moving the entire operation down south to our new home in Silverhill, Alabama. We will still be offering everything banjo related you are used to getting from us in the past but with many new offerings and services in the works.
We are currently having a new shop built right behind our home and should be fully operational again by the end of the year. We are still open every day and many items will still be able to ship right out but custom shop orders may see some additional lead times as we shut down our old shop and get machines on line at the new one. Just gives us a call and we can fill you in on what we can do. We have kept our shop number 502-365-5022, but it is now on a cell phone so we can get text messages and pictures too.
We are very excited about the new Sullivan Banjo Co. and the direction we are going and I have included a few pics of the new shop going up.
Your friend,
Eric Sullivan
RioStat - Posted - 11/09/2019: 19:41:14
Congratulations, Eric, to you and Marsha !
Looks like a beautiful setting for a banjo shop !
Blackjaxe47 - Posted - 11/09/2019: 19:54:00
This great news Eric & Marsha, congratulations on the new location. I really like the layout of the new shop, one question....whats going into the little mezzanine loft. Also can you send us some photo's of the shop when it's all finished with the equipment sent up and ready for production.
Again congratulations on the new shop.....say hello to Marsha for me.
banjoy - Posted - 11/09/2019: 19:57:23
That does look like it's going to be a great facility for you guys to work and keep doing what you do.
To be honest when I saw the thread title and who wrote the thread I thought the worst, that you might be closing up shop. You can't imagine how happy to find myself to be so wrong about that.
Bill made me a banjo neck to my specs waaay bank in 1978 when he made it in his home shop. Then I had a replacement neck made by Bill back in the late 1990's or so and I drove to Louisville to pick it up then and got to meet Bill and tour the huge facility there and hang out with him for part of the day before I had to drive back to Andersonville, TN where I lived. I'll never forget how kind and gracious he was, and how proud he was of his shop, staff and facility. It left an impression on me I'll never forget.
Although I have not met you personally I'll also never forget how you were willing to help me out as a supplier of TKL cases when I owned and operated finecases.com in the early 2000's. Although it never really worked out as a practical thing for either of us, the fact that you were willing to help an up and coming entrepreneur, when there was no real need to do so other than kindness, also will never be forgotten.
The Sullivan name has become synonymous with banjos and banjo world. Your dad and family have IMHO boosted high quality work and banjo enthusiasm worldwide. Thanks for doing what you're doing to keep this going ... to keep such a positive influence alive, there can be no real words to express the depth and breadth your future may hold as your past keeps you moving forward ... except ... Thank You ... for everything.
I'm sure I'm not alone in these sentiments.
Happy 50th Anniversary!
Edited by - banjoy on 11/09/2019 20:08:43
esullivan - Posted - 11/09/2019: 20:35:31
Scott,
Silverhill is a great place. A small town, just under 1000 residents but still only 19 miles from Orange beach. It was almost 70 degrees today.
Eric
RevD - Posted - 11/09/2019: 20:40:43
That's awesome, looks like nice space. Congrats on the space and growth. As the fruit jar money grows, its not if but when I do some business your way. Best of luck!
esullivan - Posted - 11/09/2019: 20:41:27
Ken,
Marsha says hi too. She still loves the bluebird painting. It made the move with us! We are in a pretty nice area so any “out buildings” have to look similar to the house. So minimum 9 foot ceilings and roof pitch similarities. That left a lot of room for a second floor so I think the loft will turn into the design area. I will definitely post pics of the completed shop with the new equipment. We will have right at 3000 sq. ft.
Also I would still love to do the banjo project I was speaking with you about. I do believe with the move we will have more time to devote to custom banjos.
Eric
esullivan - Posted - 11/09/2019: 20:46:38
Frank,
Thank you so much for the kind words. I cannot tell you how many people Dad’s kindness and generosity touched. I feel truly blessed to have spent 38 years in the shop with him. We definitely do this for our love of the music and people now and couldn’t really imagine life without it. Our new shop and location should allow us to focus our efforts in helping the builder community even more.
Again, thanks for the kind words and please call if we could be of any help.
Eric
esullivan - Posted - 11/09/2019: 20:48:06
Don,
We would be honored to help in any way. If you ever make it down to lower Alabama please stop by the shop.
Eric
From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 11/09/2019: 20:50:10
Well Eric,
For selfish reasons I hate to see Sullivan leave the area. I always think of you when I cross the Ohio River and I remember the BHO cookout you all did there and it was great. But 70 degrees compared to what we have coming here? Not a hard choice to make. Best wishes for continued success and a good life down in the deep south. Glad to see the Sullivan name more prominent.
ken
Bill Byler - Posted - 11/09/2019: 21:34:50
Looks Good Eric. I'm happy for you. Even though you'll be a lot farther from me in Mt. Juliet, TN. Good luck. May the move go smooth.
wildbanjobill@hotmail.com
Edited by - Bill Byler on 11/09/2019 21:36:18
Tractor1 - Posted - 11/10/2019: 02:30:54
It is good that you are still happy with this Eric. Yes I was at Bill's blue sky address many times. Sullivan has always been my go to place. I have one more build in mind and will be needing a roughed out neck ,about a stage 4. Another big curiosity is the possibility of a torrified spruce rim,since block rims are now in the line up. I have a regular ring bill sold to me at a discount once,he said it was a used'' shop ring"
I hope your brother Jeff is doing well.
Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 11/10/2019: 03:09:13
Good luck to you! You do good work.
And a fine looking shop shaping up.
But now, all of us are going to want one . . .
Helix - Posted - 11/10/2019: 03:37:47
Eric told me over the phone: "We cut oranges right off the tree."
We can travel near and far, but no matter where you are
The home is where the heart is where you are
You can travel all around, but whenever you lie down
You're dreamin' of your heart away back home.
or Take me home to the place where I first saw the light
To my sweet sunny South take me home
Where the mockingbird sings me to sleep every night
Oh Why was I tempted to roam.
The giant swallowtail was in my Tangelo tree. Expect a few boxes after the new year. Enjoy the ride.
Edited by - Helix on 11/10/2019 03:45:12
dbrooks - Posted - 11/10/2019: 04:08:12
Like Ken Hydinger, I have selfish reasons for feeling just a little sadness over your great news. As a Louisville resident, I was only an occasional customer, but Eric went out of his way to exceed my expectations. I also took a lot of pride that the Sullivans were associated with Louisville. I too remember the cookout at the First Quality Music store where I met a lot of fine BHO people. If anyone has earned the privilege of moving to a new dream location, it is Eric and Marsha. All the best!
David
lightgauge - Posted - 11/10/2019: 04:39:36
Eric,
Congratulations on Sullivan Banjo Company and a new facility as well. You have been very helpful on my banjo projects many times over the years and are very much appreciated. Clearly, many others have experienced the same kindness as me.
I wish you continued success and hope to continue doing business as we all pursue "That Sound" !!
And if I ever make it to LA, will look for you.
Bobby
Possum Fat - Posted - 11/10/2019: 06:58:22
Good luck Eric and thanks for the best banjo I have ever owned--V35.
James Bernet
Clancy, MT
eseaman - Posted - 11/10/2019: 09:07:28
Can’t wait to see the new shop when it’s up and running! Did you get my email by the way Eric?
Blackjaxe47 - Posted - 11/10/2019: 09:25:01
Thanks for the compliment Eric, whenever you have time give me a phone call and we will discuss the upcoming banjo project. I still get lots of comments on the resonator painting I did for your "Give-Away Banjo". Tell Marsha that down the road she can expect another Bluebird painting from me.....not kidding.
rbfour5 - Posted - 11/10/2019: 13:30:17
Congratulations on your new home, new shop and continuing to support the banjo world. It's a long drive for me to Silverhill, AL. but I am sure I can find my way!
Best of luck to you and the new Sullivan Banjo Company!
Tim Purcell - Posted - 11/10/2019: 16:39:27
Congratulations Eric & Marsha!! Wow!! You made the move!! I remember talking to you on the phone about you guys wanting to move south. That's fantastic!! I'm really happy for you guys! Goodbye to the winter weather and cold temps, and hello to humidity!! Haha!! Just kidding. I know you guys are happy about the move. Best of luck to you both!
Tim
okbluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 11/10/2019: 20:22:51
Congratulations and happy anniversary on the business!
Your tone rings and everything banjos, are fabulous to say the least!
Hip, hip, hooray!
Hip, hip, hooray!
Hip, hip, HOORAY!
banjoman56 - Posted - 11/10/2019: 20:39:58
Congratulations on the move Eric, although like some others have stated, I hate to see you move out of Ky for selfish reasons of my own. That being said, whatever is best for you and makes it easier for you to continue making those great Sullivan banjos is what's important. I'll forever be indebted to you for the V-35 that I won through the hangout. Of all the banjos I have played, it's my favorite. I wish the best for you and Marsha as you settle in to your new home and new shop. May God Bless you and your family!
alprice - Posted - 11/11/2019: 07:02:11
Great news, Eric! My best to you all as you move forward. Like so many others, I have fond memories of ordering from FQ over the years. Let the good times roll!
QuivverWV - Posted - 11/11/2019: 07:43:05
I will have to say that you will have a hard time finding anyone nicer than Eric. I messaged Eric about a rim last month for my RB-250 and he offered if I wanted to make the drive from Charleston WV he would meet me at the shop, on Sunday to get it changed before they made the move to Alabama. I’m fairly certain not many (if any) business owners would even offer that. To me, that is world class customer service! I enjoyed spending the afternoon with Eric at his shop, watching a true craftsman do his thing. Louisville is losing a great family, but Alabama is gaining a top notch guy and business. I wish Eric and his family many blessings and prosperity in their new endeavors!!
I hope to someday make it to your new shop!!
David E BOSTIC - Posted - 11/11/2019: 07:52:54
Great outstanding products the vintage 35 tone ring is a powerhouse and the block rim is awesome and their craftsmanship is number 1. Eric and Marsha are great people will still order all my banjo needs with them. Hate to see them move so far away but mail still runs my way. Good luck on your new place. Dave bostic
Banjowen - Posted - 11/12/2019: 00:35:39
Hope everything goes well Eric.....wouldn't swap my Greenbrier for anything...
jlsorbit - Posted - 11/13/2019: 07:35:55
Congratulations and good luck, Eric!
Will1717 - Posted - 11/15/2019: 16:47:02
Eric:
Really great news! We talked about this coming move for awhile now and congratulations that its now a reality. I'm just heading to the airport to catch a flight back east from British Columbia, and will give you a call on my return. Lots happening here and at your new place. Man that 70 degree weather sure sounds good! We're heading back to freezing weather plus a foot of snow!
Again congratulations,
Bill Rickard
PS: does you old phone number still get to you?
stanleytone - Posted - 11/15/2019: 17:37:27
may you have continued success. who needs Gibson when we got Sullivan?
banjovet - Posted - 11/15/2019: 20:31:30
Good luck with the new location Eric!
My first purchase from First Quality was a rim, way back in ( I think) 1975. Many years later I visited your home on Galaxy Drive in Louisville and met your Dad. Terrific guy. He showed me some old items he got from the old Gibson factory including a headstock template. You were quite young back then.....machining a large stack of maple rims for tone rings during my visit.
So glad to read that you are carrying on the tradition that your Mom and Dad started.
gatordome - Posted - 02/13/2020: 15:05:48
Hey Eric - I just heard about your move to LA. Welcome to Dixieland, where the temperature is hot and fish are scared! I hope that you catch a bunch when you aren't building banjos.
esullivan - Posted - 02/13/2020: 15:21:41
Lloyd,
Thank you my friend. Glad to call a warm place our home base. Just leaving Kentucky with another truck load of shop supplies. It is going to be 15 degrees in the morning. The new shop is taking a bit longer to get setup be when it is it will be nice. We have been blessed with a very patient and understanding banjo community and I cannot express how much that has helped. When we are fully set up expect a lot more banjo specific offerings than ever before.
Eric
Silvio Ferretti - Posted - 03/10/2020: 05:41:38
Hi Eric,
glad to hear about your new shop being almost ready... When do you think I can place an order?
mikehalloran - Posted - 03/18/2020: 19:50:26
I’ve done a bit of business with First Quality over the years but have referred quite a bit more. Glad to see you moving forward while giving us the heads-up that there may be a few growing pains.
This is all good and gives us confidence that we can continue to give us your business.
Good luck and continue to keep us in the loop!
Edited by - mikehalloran on 03/18/2020 19:50:55
Helix - Posted - 03/25/2020: 05:05:45
Tangelo Blvd. Project in full swing, tomorrow delivery, I predict. WE had none last year, these are better for juicing. No pushing or shoving.
Regardless of the plague, pestilence, flood or famine, this is 2020, and a new golden year.
My dog Jack is on duty.
