Was watching a video about Mike Gordon's home, and it included a few frames of his banjos. Screenshot below.
Look at that frankenstein banjo-bass! I wonder who made that?
Anyone recognize the fretless?
Also notably, a Gumby Goodtime. And what looks like a wreath inlay RB.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQSgb3PpBio
Edited by - KCJones on 10/08/2025 08:23:01
I got to meet Mike through a NYC music friend who used to invite Mike to northeastern bluegrass festivals. At that time Mike was wielding a Gibson reissue Granada. Quiet guy.
I saw him play around 2006 or so with Leo Kottke at a Yonder Mountain String Band festival. During Yonder’s set they had him come up and play the banjo with them. He was playing a Granada at that time.
Edited by - danielburdett on 10/08/2025 11:52:25
My guess is the banjo bass was made by Paul Languedoc.
He is the luthier who makes Phish’s guitars and made Mike’s bass he used in the 90s. It looks like his headstock on the banjo bass (shaped like Vermont).
Back in my early 20s - so maybe 2000 or 2001, I saw Max Creek at some bar in Providence, RI and Mike sat in with them on some bluegrass songs. He played bass though.
