Let's start a list of US-based banjo companies and parts suppliers. Banjo makers and anyone that makes parts related to banjos.
Might as well also include companies from Canada and Mexico, please indicate where they're from in your post.
Balsam Banjo Works - USA - Hardware, Tone Rings, Rims, Necks, Fretboards.
Sullivan - USA - Complete Banjos, Rims, Necks. Other wood parts.
Rickard - Canada - Complete Banjos, Hardware, Tone Rings.
Prucha - Czech Republic - Complete banjos. Hardware.
Deering - USA - Complete Banjos, limited parts.
Edited by - KCJones on 11/10/2024 06:13:32
The only parts that are needed for a resonator, bluegrass style banjo, that are not produced domestically in large batches, and sold as parts, that I can think of, are flanges (one-piece and tube/plate), tension hoops, armrests, and possibly tuners...are Waverly or Stew-Mac 5 Star tuners made in the USA? Also, how about co-rods or Mastertone-style hooks and nuts ?
Edited by - RioStat on 11/10/2024 06:40:18
I am finishing up a build right now.
I don't think I found hardly any metal parts made in the U.S.
Many parts such as resonator hardware and 2 piece flange, co-rods etc. were hard to find in stock and seemed overpriced.
Also got some parts with metric and standred threads and thicknesses varying. 5th string tuner tapered shaft can be undersized without being mentioned. Tried to buy quality parts.
I bought from Stewmac, Banjo Ben, Sullivan, Richie Dotson, warehouses, individuals, etc. No one company had all metal parts needed in stock in the U.S. Let alone made in U.S.
Some parts were supposidly stocked in a warehouse in the U.S. but when ordered came from overseas with a long long delivery time.
quote:
Originally posted by RioStatare Waverly or Stew-Mac 5 Star tuners made in the USA? Also, how about co-rods or Mastertone-style hooks and nuts ?
I just looked, and the product descriptions don't say either Made in USA or imported. I suppose the product or packaging has to state country of origin somewhere, so buying a set should be a way to learn where they're made. The current Five-Star fifth string tuner looks like a Gotoh.
I'm pretty sure that Sullivan sells Prucha hooks, nuts and co-rods. Stew-Mac refers to some parts as either Five-Star or "our." Since they sell the Prucha flange, I assume "our" and "Five Star" mean not Prucha. But that could be a bad assumption.
It's my understanding the final years or decade of Gibson banjos included Prucha hardware. In a discussion here years ago during a temporary shortage of some parts, it was said that all Kershner style tailpieces (except the Prucha) were made in China.
If the threatened import tariffs go into effect next year and inflation stays low, big price jumps in banjo parts should tell us which ones are made in USA and which are imported.
Many older less desirable brand tenor banjos are a source of parts which will cost less than the price of individual new parts.
Looks like a good business opportunity. Plenty of screw machine shoppes in Connecticut.
Unlikely the banjo parts market would ever be large enough for a significant US startup manufacturing operation.
Just need to be a supplier. The parts would be made by a contract manufacturer. Just an idea.
I have no idea of the volume needed to be profitable, but there is definitely an opportunity for someone to be a dependable parts supplier.
I've been using brass hooks, nuts, shoes, bolts, and endpins from odebanjoparts.com since earlier this year and am very pleased so far. The quality is very consistent and the prices are good too. I still buy all my tuners, tailpieces, strings, and heads from smakulafrettedinstruments.com since they are great folks to deal with.
Edited by - Zachary Hoyt on 11/10/2024 18:53:16
AMB (American Made Banjo) made quite a point of their Kel Kroyden line of banjos maximizing American made parts. I think there was only one part that they couldn't get in America to meet their specs. Tom Mirasola is no longer active in the banjo business other than his cryo treated banjo strings, but it might be worth an email to him to see if he has any inventory of unsold banjo parts.
Of course with Jimmy Cox' business now more or less minimized since his death, that eliminates one of the BIG ones.
Always worth checking with Huber also, IMHO.
I would check with http://www.companionbanjos.com in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Chris Sorenson carries American made metal parts and all things banjo. Chris is a great guy to deal with, for sure.
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