Since first posting, I thought the choice of "Lemon Banjos" was a bad one given the negative connotations associated with "a lemon". Also, given the number of excellent American builders these days, I would think it would be a very difficult market to get into. My suggestion would be to set up a booth in bluegrass festivals. I would think that would be the best way to get your banjos exposed to the most players. I wouldn't wait for them to come to you.

I think you get some young stud banjo player to be a partner or endorsed artist. As he or she play big gigs and posts on YouTube, people will learn of you and want one. Wonder if you could make the sacrifice and give one to the winner of the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention? Also, get a famous YouTuber to review it. Thinking Eli Gilbert, Jim Pankey, Mike Hedding, etc

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Originally posted by Foote

Since first posting, I thought the choice of "Lemon Banjos" was a bad one given the negative connotations associated with "a lemon". Also, given the number of excellent American builders these days, I would think it would be a very difficult market to get into. My suggestion would be to set up a booth in bluegrass festivals. I would think that would be the best way to get your banjos exposed to the most players. I wouldn't wait for them to come to you.

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Make name change is a great idea. Lemon and banjo don’t work well together

Ask yourself: Who do I want to buy my banjos. Pros? Retirees with disposable income? Then ask, how do I get one in their hands? When you started out, you advertised with computer drawings of your designs. That proved you were handy with a computer, but it didn't prove that you could build a banjo that sounds great. Now you have built some and people tell you that they sound great. That's excellent, but it alone will not build the buzz you need. Have you posted some for sale here with videos? If you have, I haven't seen them. Maybe trying a consignment or two just to get them out where people can play them. Getting Jim Britton to play one would not be a bad thing either. Builders like Geoff Stelling, Steve Huber, and Tim Davis spent years lugging their banjos to events like SPGMA so play would play them. A pro endorsement or two also helps.

I think you also need a way to differentiate yourself. Gibson clones are quite common. How do you get someone to want yours over others? There are really only two variables: (1) Price; and (2) Quality. Why should I buy Lemon rather than that Sullivan V35 that is in the classifieds?

Finally, you probably need a good mentor. In any business, find the person you want to be (business wise). Call and visit them. I promise you that you'll be surprised how many established builders would want to help a young guy like you.

As you already have learned, these are not easy answers. This is a tough business. There are a lot of boutique builders that do a great job. You're smart to continue school. Regardless of what path you take, that will serve you well. A lot of builders started part time and grew the business over years into a full time gig. I don't know how many started it full time.

What you have already done in a short period is impressive.

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Originally posted by Foote

Since first posting, I thought the choice of "Lemon Banjos" was a bad one given the negative connotations associated with "a lemon". Also, given the number of excellent American builders these days, I would think it would be a very difficult market to get into. My suggestion would be to set up a booth in bluegrass festivals. I would think that would be the best way to get your banjos exposed to the most players. I wouldn't wait for them to come to you.

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I've given a lot of thought to setting up a booth at Pickin' in Parsons, and as soon as I get enough funds set aside to buy a table and tent and to pay their set-up fee, I plan to do just that. Thanks!

As for the name change, I understand that my last name holds some negative connotation when it comes to buyers of products. However, I'm very proud to have my grandpa's last name, and he is very proud that I've chosen our last name as the name of my banjo business. While it may hurt me, that is one thing I'm willing to take a bit of hurt for. Thanks for the suggestion nonetheless though.

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Originally posted by Quigg

I think you get some young stud banjo player to be a partner or endorsed artist. As he or she play big gigs and posts on YouTube, people will learn of you and want one. Wonder if you could make the sacrifice and give one to the winner of the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention? Also, get a famous YouTuber to review it. Thinking Eli Gilbert, Jim Pankey, Mike Hedding, etc

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Something of that nature is something I would absolutely LOVE to do, and plan to as soon as I get these two sold. I'll have enough set aside by then to fund building a "giveaway banjo".

I've also given that consideration, and would love to do that as well. I wonder how I might be able to go about that? I'd probably need to be willing to give up another banjo, which I can't afford at this time, but I'll keep it tucked in my thoughts. Thanks!

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Originally posted by Brian Murphy

Ask yourself: Who do I want to buy my banjos. Pros? Retirees with disposable income? Then ask, how do I get one in their hands? When you started out, you advertised with computer drawings of your designs. That proved you were handy with a computer, but it didn't prove that you could build a banjo that sounds great. Now you have built some and people tell you that they sound great. That's excellent, but it alone will not build the buzz you need. Have you posted some for sale here with videos? If you have, I haven't seen them. Maybe trying a consignment or two just to get them out where people can play them. Getting Jim Britton to play one would not be a bad thing either. Builders like Geoff Stelling, Steve Huber, and Tim Davis spent years lugging their banjos to events like SPGMA so play would play them. A pro endorsement or two also helps.

I think you also need a way to differentiate yourself. Gibson clones are quite common. How do you get someone to want yours over others? There are really only two variables: (1) Price; and (2) Quality. Why should I buy Lemon rather than that Sullivan V35 that is in the classifieds?

Finally, you probably need a good mentor. In any business, find the person you want to be (business wise). Call and visit them. I promise you that you'll be surprised how many established builders would want to help a young guy like you.

As you already have learned, these are not easy answers. This is a tough business. There are a lot of boutique builders that do a great job. You're smart to continue school. Regardless of what path you take, that will serve you well. A lot of builders started part time and grew the business over years into a full time gig. I don't know how many started it full time.

What you have already done in a short period is impressive.

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Honestly, I just want "anyone" to buy my banjos. I'm not necessarily aiming at the beginner market (since most beginners aren't going to buy a $2,500+ banjo), but if a beginner is willing to buy my banjos knowing they're a lot more banjo than they'll need for a while, that's perfectly fine with me.

I have indeed posted these two for sale on the Hangout, both with videos:

https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/94814

https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/100345

I've given Jim a lot of consideration, and I plan on staying in touch with him so I'll know when he comes to WV next - he usually comes up once in a while.

I admit, I HAVE been cloning Gibson designs, not because of a lack of creativity, but because I had a mindset of "well, someone would be more likely to buy something that has a familiar look", but perhaps that's been a bad idea? I have one banjo model designed, completely of my own creation, just haven't "bit the bullet" yet.

Eric Sullivan has been a fantastic mentor. I've never been to his shop (like 18 hours away or something), but I've made many a phone call to him and he has been an absolute blessing to my learning of this trade. 

I am glad you think that what I've accomplished thus far is impressive!

There are 3 main reasons I havent considered your banjos.

1. Lemon on the headstock is a total no go. When I first saw it I thought it was a joke. But then i read some of your posts and see you r serious. But it is not serious for the rest of us. If it was a 150 dollar amazon banjo, maybe as a joke Id buy it. But yours are serious money just to have bandmates and the audience giggle is too Much to ask for me.

2. There are better options with higher resale value. I bought prewars for much less recently. I can buy Stellings, Hatfields used and get my money back for less.

3. They dont differentiate themselves from better known brands. I would expect something more pop culture, unique, brightly colored and\or themed from the next gen. Not more scruggs from 100 years ago. Think bishline custom finish and fretboards. Innovation like Nechville.

I didnt feel right typing this so I hope it helps.

I will also add companion banjos might be a good business model.  They are really busy without being a big name so to speak.

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Originally posted by NotABanjoYoda

There are 3 main reasons I havent considered your banjos.

1. Lemon on the headstock is a total no go. When I first saw it I thought it was a joke. But then i read some of your posts and see you r serious. But it is not serious for the rest of us. If it was a 150 dollar amazon banjo, maybe as a joke Id buy it. But yours are serious money just to have bandmates and the audience giggle is too Much to ask for me.

2. There are better options with higher resale value. I bought prewars for much less recently. I can buy Stellings, Hatfields used and get my money back for less.

3. They dont differentiate themselves from better known brands. I would expect something more pop culture, unique, brightly colored and\or themed from the next gen. Not more scruggs from 100 years ago. Think bishline custom finish and fretboards. Innovation like Nechville.

I didnt feel right typing this so I hope it helps.

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1. I get it, some people think my last name is not suitable to go on a banjo's headstock - and some think it's a joke. But as I addressed earlier, I am proud to market with my last name, because it's my name, my grandfather's name, my great-grandfather's name, and so forth. My grandpa is proud that I've chosen to use our name for my business, and although it might hurt my business, that is one hurt I am willing to accept.

2. You're right about all of this. But considering I'm a nobody in the banjo world, it's not surprising. Lemon Banjos are not a known name, at least not yet. Gibson wasn't a household name until Scruggs, Reno, etc. Go back 100 years from now, a few years before the Mastertone was introduced in the form of the ball-bearing tone ring system, and I'll bet that a B&D will have a better resale value than a Gibson. Just speculation, mind you, probably not fact.

3. Again, absolutely correct. My designs are completely based on 30's and 50's Gibson styles. My reasoning for this was "someone would be more likely to buy something that looks familiar" but I now realize I need to create my own designs. 

Thanks for your input, it's appreciated.

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Originally posted by NotABanjoYoda

I will also add companion banjos might be a good business model.  They are really busy without being a big name so to speak.

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I will keep that in mind, thank you!

Not looking for a banjo at the moment, and don’t have any advise, but I really like the name Lemon on the banjos.

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Originally posted by Sunrise Lee

Not looking for a banjo at the moment, and don’t have any advise, but I really like the name Lemon on the banjos.

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Thank you! I appreciate it!

More up the neck playing in the videos may help, since anyone paying good money for a banjo is definitely going to want to hear it both up and down the neck.

Don't give up. It's going to take time ...and with good quality, playability, feel of the neck, and tone it'll just be a matter of time...and you have time.

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Originally posted by DRL777

More up the neck playing in the videos may help, since anyone paying good money for a banjo is definitely going to want to hear it both up and down the neck.

Don't give up. It's going to take time ...and with good quality, playability, feel of the neck, and tone it'll just be a matter of time...and you have time.

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Ah yeah that makes sense. That's something I struggle a bit with, which is why I've kinda avoided it. I'll be sure to do more from now on, maybe do two new videos of these two banjos I have currently. Thanks!

Since you are committed to retaining the name, I think you need to consider a redesign of the logo. The "L" is weak to my eyes and the incorrect cursive for "on" makes the name appear to be Iemjun. See the "on" in Gibson's script. Here are a few examples from the fonts on my computer

Name is fine.  Anyone interested in your banjos already knows Hunter Lemon is making them and that's his name.   
 

Note that the criticisms are along the lines of "Well, I understand, but your potential customers are blockheads and they won't understand."  No. You're selling banjos to serious players and they will understand the name. 

Hunter, I am somewhat in the same boat. I haven't sold but one instrument since the pandemic began. I'm aware of your school situation and I applaud your decision to finish college. I can also appreciate the lack of funds needed to move forward. It's not an ideal situation for any builder and I'm sure it seems quite discouraging to you. But you have been determined to have your own business as a banjo maker and you seem to be doing a decent job of it so far. You are still young so things may seem a bit overwhelming right now, but they won't seem that way forever.
I think you are right to use your own name on your banjos even though some people think it's a joke. Between Harper Valley PTA, Mama's Family, and Three and a Half Men, my last name has been dragged through the mud and made into a joke for years, but it's my name and my heritage. So is yours.
I would suggest coming up with your own designs. Gibson clones are all too common these days so why make the same thing everyone else does? Tom Nechville had a good idea with his design and has made a pretty big impact on the market.
That's enough rambling. I hope some of it made sense.

Nobody has mentioned it, so I will. If I was in the market for a banjo I’d want a tone ring in It. I understand that your banjos are lighter, and there is a market for that, but I believe that has limited your market some. You say they are loud, and that may be so, but until I can’t lift one with a tone ring I’m going to want a banjo with one.

Of course I may be totally wrong. I’d be interested in what others think.

I wouldn’t worry about the name. If Lemon banjos are quality instruments the reputation will change any negative impressions. I would have no problem with a banjo with “Lemon” on the headstock if it was a great banjo.

i think your question isn't how can you get your banjos in peoples hands,
it's how can you get their money.
my guess is it takes most builders more than 7 banjos to succeed.
and til then you will lose money but your banjos will be in peoples hands.
a real paradox.

I too like the Lemon name. There will always be criticisms and you can't please everybody.

If I was you, I would start advertising not for the banjos that you have already made and are trying to sell, but rather that you are willing to make banjos to order. I don't know if you're set up for that type of thing, however, I see regular posts on the hangout from people who are either looking to buy a particular type of banjo, or are trying to have a custom banjo made. This way you know you have a sale right from the start. For example: I would love to have a custom mastertone style banjo in walnut made someday. If I had the money to do it today and I saw a post from the Lemon banjo company saying they could build it for me, that would be a highly motivating factor. It would probably just take regular posts on the hangout to remind folks that you're around and ready get your product in their hands.

The open back banjo world is probably different, but it's where I have been. My first several banjos I only made about twice the cost in parts when I sold them, and even then it took a while to sell them. I used to sell them for $600, and it cost about $300 for the materials from Stew-Mac at that time. My reasoning was that low price was the only reason someone would have an incentive to buy from me, as a new and unproven builder who couldn't travel to shows and such so people could try them in person. Over time I was gradually able to bring material costs down and prices up, but it took about 15 years from when I put my first instrument up for sale to when I was able to make enough money from instruments to live on. For me the key has been learning to work more efficiently, so that when I had more demand I was able to build fast enough to keep from falling too far behind.

One thing that can help a new builder is that people sometimes like to buy a locally made banjo, but I imagine there are probably a lot more banjo makers in your area than there were in mine. On the other hand there may also be more banjo players there too. When I started out I figured I wanted to make $10 an hour building instruments in the evening and on weekends, and that was my basis for calculating how much to charge. As I got more practice my hourly rate eventually climbed to something more suitable.

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Originally posted by TScottHilton

I too like the Lemon name. There will always be criticisms and you can't please everybody.

If I was you, I would start advertising not for the banjos that you have already made and are trying to sell, but rather that you are willing to make banjos to order. I don't know if you're set up for that type of thing, however, I see regular posts on the hangout from people who are either looking to buy a particular type of banjo, or are trying to have a custom banjo made. This way you know you have a sale right from the start. For example: I would love to have a custom mastertone style banjo in walnut made someday. If I had the money to do it today and I saw a post from the Lemon banjo company saying they could build it for me, that would be a highly motivating factor. It would probably just take regular posts on the hangout to remind folks that you're around and ready get your product in their hands.

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Here's a page on my website for that! I forgot to finish this page when I built my website, and I just now finished it!

Take a look and see how you like it, and if you'd change anything for a better user experience!

https://lemonbanjosupply.com/pages/build-a-custom-lemon-banjo

If my last name was Dogg and I built a no tone ring, Gibson style banjo with my name on it, priced at $2500-$3000, what would make you buy one?

I admire your work and desire and certainly wish success for you! It seems people who know you, buy your product. The answer may be as simple as getting more people to know you. That will require many days and hours of shows and festivals, which may not come until you have more time and finances.