pfalzgrass - Posted - 06/28/2026:  03:38:17

Found this great article about steampunk banjo:
fretboardjournal.com/columns/c...nk-banjo/

Inspires me for my next banjo build. Anyone has done something similar?
Please share pics and ideas.

eagleisland - Posted - 06/28/2026:  04:39:39

My banjo already weighs quite enough, thank you very much. 

localhost - Posted - 06/28/2026:  05:51:26

It's quirky. I like looking at it.

banjered - Posted - 06/28/2026:  06:32:07

At the Centralia Campout that happens every year in Central Washington in August, a few years back I encountered another "luthier." His speciality? Going to the junk yard and making musical "instrument" out of every piece of throw-away junk you can think of. I suspect he was inspired by what we think of as a "normal banjo." After all, if a banjo is allowed to exist, why not fix up that old vacuum cleaner and wed it to a washing machine along with a few door knobs hither and thither? Who is to say one is better or lesser than the other. Ha! Different strokes for different folks! banjered

Joel Hooks - Posted - 06/28/2026:  07:25:33

“ Original vibrato tailpiece is one of only two known to have survived Europe’s so-called Great Banjo Scare in the late 19th Century.”

I’ve never heard the term “Great Banjo Scare” before. I’ve seen other examples of those tailpieces so, more than two.

revellfa - Posted - 06/28/2026:  08:26:32

I’m a fan of the steampunk genre.

Realbluegrassfan - Posted - 06/28/2026:  09:07:17

The late Ron Landis could have added a few of his pieces to that banjo. if you are not familiar with his work, look up his website.

dbrooks - Posted - 06/28/2026:  09:24:15

I remember the fine artist and luthier, Dan Knowles, creating a steampunk banjo years ago, but I can't find any hint of it today.

Dan had a lengthy series on the Hangout he called "Luthier's Life," where he documented his work on various banjo projects, his teaching luthiery skills and some of his performance,  There are 64 pages of links to that series.  Since the posts are archived, some photos don't show up, but quite a few are visible and very impressive.

A LUTHIERS LIFE - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout

I miss Dan.

David

lazlototh - Posted - 06/28/2026:  15:42:43

I think this was on BH about 5 years ago. It sounded really good.

Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 06/29/2026:  05:21:23

I enjoy original artwork in any form and the Steampunk Banjo exemplifies limitless imagination coupled with excellent execution all with an eye toward functionality. Great work by the artist creator!

woodchips - Posted - 06/29/2026:  15:23:22

I dress up in steampunk and go to comic cons playing my banjo. I've been able to play it for quite a few famous people including Weird Al Yankovic. I think they make a great marriage of style.