AMBIDEXTROUS Archtop Banjo by John Sloan (1960s)
Added 2020-10-03 23:50:10 +0000 UTCJohn Sloan was an English-born machinist who built a number of unique banjos after emigrating to the United States after WW2. This example utilized two "tunnels" through the neck, allowing it to be played either right- or left-handed. Ambidextrous banjos are exceedingly rare.
https://www.chron.com/news/article/Ma... "Sloan, 81, has been playing banjos since he was 12, and crafting them since he was in his mid-30s. One of his most unique models is a banjo that collapses. 'The neck folds down into the middle, and then it folds again into the back of the banjo,' Sloan said. 'They become half the size.'"
Comments
I'm not sure--I think so! Seems that when you feed the thumb string up one side, it comes out the opposite hole in peg head.
Clifton Hicks
2020-10-04 12:20:26 +0000 UTCAl, that's a great observation about this being useful as a plectrum banjo as well. Very true! I have recorded Old Blue a time or two, but probably should revisit now that I have a real camera: https://youtu.be/p-tQfsZP8bo
Clifton Hicks
2020-10-04 12:17:31 +0000 UTCWe're lucky George Gibson didn't get ahold of this banjo or he may have removed every other bracket, and replaced them with plain nuts and bolts...
Clifton Hicks
2020-10-04 12:15:28 +0000 UTCWhat a sound! Lovely instrument Clif thanks for sharing! (great playing as usual!)
Steve Angell
2020-10-04 07:42:53 +0000 UTCVery cool! It definitely needs more hooks though.. LOL
Ward Breeden
2020-10-04 06:01:32 +0000 UTCWell, would you look at that. I feel a bit of kinship with this banjo as I'm ambidextrous myself. That's pretty cool...never knew something like it existed. Thanks for sharing Clif!
Shawn Walters
2020-10-04 02:16:04 +0000 UTCVery cool Clif!
William Riley
2020-10-04 01:58:44 +0000 UTCAnother thing about this banjo is that it should be easy to play as a plectrum banjo since the 5th string can be loosened out of the way and there is no 5th string tuner protruding from the side to obstruct rapid hand movement along the finger board. Always great to have hound dog participation. You should record "Old Blue" if you haven't done so already.
Al Neale
2020-10-04 00:42:48 +0000 UTCVery interesting
Al Neale
2020-10-04 00:36:50 +0000 UTCThat is one helluva good dance music machine! Looks like those tunnels cross over?
John Herd
2020-10-04 00:20:47 +0000 UTCThat's such a cool banjo 👍
John Gilby
2020-10-04 00:16:20 +0000 UTCCool! I didn't know about the website. Found out after filming this that his son, Peter, also builds them.
Clifton Hicks
2020-10-04 00:10:58 +0000 UTCIngenious , unique, fascinating, handmade banjo. No wonder its sold. Thanks for showing us. I have never seen anything like that,
Nate Bowser
2020-10-04 00:02:42 +0000 UTCStill making and selling. Web site at sloanbanjos.com
Dave
2020-10-04 00:02:34 +0000 UTC
