DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
R. Blakeslee Gilpin |
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad 'Big Banjo Lot - Resonators, Rims, Flanges' 7 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad '3 Import Flathead Rings - Chrome' 7 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad 'Vintage Bacon & Day Soft Pedal Mute' 15 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad 'Neck for Two-Piece Flange' 19 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad 'Used JLS 12' 20 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad 'Gold Kroll 5th String Tuner' 24 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad '2 Shubb Sliding 5th String Capos' 24 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad '(2) Vega-Pittman Capos' 24 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad '(untitled)' 26 days
R. Blakeslee Gilpin posted a classified ad 'Prucha Double bracket Armrest' 26 days
I own many many many [TOO MANY!] custom instruments. I love custom instruments, even ones that weren't initially built for me.
The first quality banjo I ever bought was built for me by Wyatt Fawley and it's been a steady descent into BAS-madness ever since. Anyway, I could write long missives about all the builders I have worked with (Fawley, Romero, Delfield, Vance, Ball, Fielding, Carson, Anderson, Lewis) but I figured I'd at least start things off with the person whose work and style I am most familiar with: Douglas Unger. I've been aware of Doug at least as long as I've been obsessed with the banjo - running across his stunning creations at Bernunzio's in the early 2000s while internet browsing. I was a bluegrasser then but even so, I'd still stop for a long minute to marvel at how such things were made - heel carvings, engraved pearl and all around impeccable craftsmanship. Even then, I secretly liked that old time bling. Fast forward a decade to my being corrupted by Bill Anderson's pictures of his collection and an email discussion about Chubby Dragons. Bill suggested that if I didn't want to foot the bill for a vintage Bacon FF (10K or so) I should contact Doug. For some reason, I figured Doug only worked with fancy folks who were in the inner circle, but Bill encouraged me. So I called Doug and told him I had a Bacon FF pot and I wanted a Chubby Dragon neck. Doug was immediately a thrill to talk to - stories about my favorite players, festivals, and of course, banjo geekery. He also seemed enthused (or at least pleasantly willing) about all my specs. The results of that banjo are here:
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/photos.asp?id=6055&albumid=7054
Here is the thing about luthiers, they get a bad (and somewhat deserved, if my experience serves) reputation, for not working on a tight schedule or on much of a well documented financial basis. I had a guitar builder visiting last week and he responded with the excuse of 'artistic temperament'. Well, whatever it is, it can be very frustrating. Doug must be the exception that proves the rule then. He works frighteningly quickly and has never ceased to exceed the timeframe he'll roughly estimate at the outset of a project. How does he do it? Well, Doug is more expensive than the others in his realm (that small group of folks who know how to engrave pearl and craft instruments as well as or exceeding the turn of the century Boston masters). But as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for and when you have Doug do work for you, you get the very best and you get it not just in a reasonable time but FAST. So far, he's converted the Bacon FF, an 11 13/16" Tubaphone, an 11 13/16 Whyte Laydie, a Fairbanks Piccolo, a Dobson, and 11" Tubaphone and he's got an SSS Pot right now! I must like something about this guy's work!
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/photos.asp?id=6055&albumid=9712
These banjos don't just look pretty. Doug builds necks that are as alive as his inlays. They jump and shout and kick out those notes. Responsive and musical. Not every neck builder knows how to do it. Check out this album to see how long (40 + years) that Doug's been at it.
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/photos.asp?id=6055&albumid=9716
I am also proud to call Doug a friend. He and his amazing wife Lois have welcomed my entire family into their home for a visit to Peninsula. I could have spent a year there! Picking Doug's brain, seeing all the incredible things (instruments, art, birthday 'cards') that Doug creates - it was a real highlight of my banjo life. One of the things that I love and respect Doug for most is his willingness to help other builders. A Japanese Uke builder had just spent a long weekend in Peninsula - one of so many mini-apprentice workshops that Doug does for people. Did I mention that of the hundreds of banjos and necks that Doug has built (not to mention mandolins, pocket mandolins, guitars, etc) Doug as a painting professor for 30 + years?!! Inexhaustible. Anyway, I'm exhausted after writing this. Even if you like plain banjos built in the spirit and with the quality of Fairbanks - Doug is without peer. He's a ridiculous pleasure to work with and a great guy to boot. He's not just a banjo builder, he truly is an artist of the highest caliber.
10 commentsR. Blakeslee Gilpin has 53 friends. View entire friends list.
![]() Dan Knowles |
![]() frailin ![]() |
![]() the-fish |
![]() John Bowlin |
![]() mrphysics55 |
![]() Dwayne Elix ![]() |
![]() GerryH ![]() |
![]() wallnutsbanjo |
maryzcox replied to topic 'The sound of Dock Boggs - Turkey in the Straw' 7 hrs
frailin replied to topic 'Vega Tubaphone 11 13/16" pot with new Carl Arcand neck' 14 hrs
frailin posted a forum topic 'Can't upload pics in classifieds. Ad is for a Vega 11 13/16" hybrid banjo' 1 day
frailin posted a forum topic 'Vega Tubaphone 11 13/16" pot with new Carl Arcand neck' 1 day
frailin posted a classified ad '1920s Vega 11 13/16" Tubaphone w/New Arcand Neck (hybrid)' 1 day
Ks_5-picker replied to topic 'Buying a banjo advice, Contessa and ibanez' 2 days
Texican65 replied to topic 'Happy International Polar Bear Day' 2 days
Texican65 replied to topic 'Potato Head' 2 days
maryzcox replied to topic 'Unique/ modern clawhammer style' 3 days
maryzcox replied to topic 'How to not freeze up while taping a banjo video :)' 3 days
mrphysics55 posted a classified ad '2006 Lebron Beaty Fiddle #57' 3 days
maryzcox replied to topic 'The sound of Dock Boggs - Turkey in the Straw' 3 days
maryzcox replied to topic 'TOTW 02/12/20 Mole in the ground' 3 days
maryzcox replied to topic 'Unique/ modern clawhammer style' 3 days
maryzcox replied to topic 'I guess it's easier to break the normal clawhammer mode sometimes' 3 days
Genre: Traditional
Playing Style: Clawhammer and Old-Time
Genre: Traditional
Playing Style: Clawhammer and Old-Time
Genre: Traditional
Playing Style: Clawhammer and Old-Time
Genre: Traditional
Playing Style: Clawhammer and Old-Time
thehighlonesomesound.wordpress
.com/
Playing Since: 1999
Experience Level: Purty Good
R. Blakeslee Gilpin has made 59 recent additions to Banjo Hangout
Occupation: History Professor
Gender: Male
Age: 42
My Instruments:
Will Fielding/Glenn Carson 11" Dobson
Doug Unger 12" Style X Tubaphone Conversion
Doug Unger 12" Whyte Laydie Conversion
Doug Unger 11" Bacon FF Conversion
Doug Unger 7" Fairbanks Piccolo Conversion
Dave Ball 12" Internal Resonator
Bunch of others in various stages of restoration/disrepair
Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Fred Cockerham, Tommy Jarrell, Dan Gellert, John Herrmann, Dirk Powell, Roscoe Holcomb, Reed Martin, R.D. Lunceford, Richie Stearns, Nancy Sluys
Classified Rating: (+61)
Rate this Member
Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 2/17/2005
Last Visit 3/1/2021
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2021 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
Newest Posts
'Flat 2nd string' 37 min
'Hoppers Cam D-Tuners' 49 min
'Hoppers Cam Tuners' 52 min
'Gibson Banjo Case' 1 hr