erikforgod Says:
Saturday, December 3, 2011 @1:12:19 PM

Nice banjo...looks like Kirk Sutphins Cockerham Round-Peak banjo.

Strumelia Says:
Saturday, December 3, 2011 @1:55:07 PM

Thanks Erik!
This banjo was made around 1997, around 15 years ago. Ray used to visit Tommy and Fred regularly many years ago, and he told me he was able to personally examine Fred's formica banjo a few times. Ray designed I believe less than 10 of these "Cockerham" banjos during the 1990's, some of which had custom Corian overlays rather than formica. I'm lucky to have one of the first few DeCava-made ones with real formica and the heavy Dobson-shaped heel.
I'm guessing that RoundPeak banjo maker Kevin Fore (who's been making banjos since 2007) made Kirk's white banjo- I believe they are cousins.

billi-ken Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @5:10:48 AM

I think Kirk's banjo was made by Riley Baugus. Formica he used was from Kyle Creed left over that Tom Mylet kept it.

Strumelia Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @5:13:35 AM

That's cool billi, where did you hear that from?

billi-ken Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @5:26:07 AM

When I saw Kirk's that banjo,Kevin didn't start making banjo yet. And Riley has told he made a Fred's style banjo. I have two Riley's banjos. with frets and without.

billi-ken Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @5:27:31 AM

Are you coming to Mt Airy Fiddlers Convention?

Strumelia Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @8:13:50 AM

So it's not really certain about who made Kirk's then. We'd have to ask Kirk.
No, I seldom make the 14 hour drive to Mt Airy or Clifftop anymore- too durned far, and we have more OT gatherings now in our NE area than we used to have 10 yrs ago. Have fun though! :)

billi-ken Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @1:36:36 PM

I'm pretty sure that he made it. I have even asked him to make Fred's style banjo.He said everybody know Ray made Fred's replica.So Riley made only one Fred' style banjo. I lived in NYC 17years ago. had bands with David Bass, Harry Bolick, Shlomo Pescoe.

Strumelia Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @1:49:17 PM

I know Harry. What do your Baugus banjos look like? they aren't the one with bees on it are they?

billi-ken Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @2:38:25 PM

NO inlay at all. You can look it. youtube.com/watch?v=HCWKLOuTZH0

Strumelia Says:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @3:07:17 PM

Cool!