My History
I started playing stringed instruments at about 18 years old. Played guitar first, then mandolin and settled on the banjo. I started on it while working on a fishing boat. The captain played the guitar. We would be out for some time and I wanted something to play, so while in port I picked up a banjo at a pawn shop. I started with bluegrass style and then switched to melodic claw-hammer several years later. Only when I began to play with other people did I notice a real issue. When my guitar partner would in the key of E major and I would be in double C tuning on the forth fret, with the capo, which is E, I was always sharp and out of tune. I was constantly re-tuning and resetting my capo. I have grieved over this issue for going on 42 years now.
My Design Discovery
They say that “Necessity is the mother of invention”. I decided that I would attempt to remedy that problem. I built some strange looking complex things and then one day one of those strange looking things actually worked. Then I set out to make it presentable. That strange looking complex thing became simple and pretty. Many will look at it and think, why that’s so simple, why didn’t I think of that.
Seeing Is Believing
That couldn’t see and didn’t see thing are two in the same. I prayed and God let me see it and, I think all the time, why couldn’t I see it, it is so simple. So, I make one for the banjo and one for the guitar. I am never out of tune or sharp up the neck and you will never be either, ever again. I hand make them in my small shop in the Great Smoky Mountains of East-Tennessee and hope they will bless your playing as they have mine.