Companion Experience

A custom banjo should be a true reflection of the player - from sight to sound - and we take you along every step of the build. We begin with a conversation about you as a player to capture your playing style, sound preferences, and aesthetic vision. From there we'll determine parts, material, finish and inlays. 

 

Quality Parts

Companion Banjos partners with some of the best parts makers in the industry. We promise excellent quality with all wood and metal parts including plating, fit and finish.

 

Material

We will help you choose the right materials to give your banjo the tone you are looking for. Maple and mahogany tend to produce the best sound. Rims are typically maple, unless otherwise requested, with your choice of 3-ply or block style.

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Finish

Our color expert can create a variety of looks for your banjo from natural to sunburst, subtle to vibrant. Whether you prefer a time-tested lacquer finish or the warm luster of an oil finish, our fully equipped finishing room ensures you get a consistent, quality result.

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Inlays

You can choose from any traditional inlay or create a unique look for your fretboard and headstock. We'll work with you to develop custom inlays complete with computer-generated mock-ups rendered to reflect the material texture (mother of pearl, abalone, etc.) so you can decide what you like before the build begins. We've done everything from a traditional flying eagle pattern to a wild west theme with six shooters, cactus and horse shoes. See photos of our custom builds.

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Checkpoints

You'll receive regular communication from us about the progress on your build using your preferred method of contact. You can also stop by the shop for close-up look and a tour.

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Video Demo

At the end of every build we post a demo video on our YouTube channel to showcase your custom banjo's look and sound. It's a great way to share your new instrument with friends and family online.

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Pricing

Custom builds begin at $2,400 for a banjo with a light-weight wood tone ring and $2,600 with a metal tone ring. Special parts and custom inlays are additional. A $600 deposit is due following sign-off of the build agreement. The remainder can be paid incrementally during the building process or in full prior to shipment. Custom orders take 6-8 months to complete. Contact us for a detailed quote.

 

Payment

Companion Banjos accepts payments by credit card, Paypal, check, or cash (in person).

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Delivery

We love meeting our customers and shaking hands when the build is complete. Banjos can usually be hand-delivered within a 5 hr drive of Ann Arbor, MI, or you're welcome to come directly to our shop and see where all the magic happens. Banjos are otherwise shipped via FedEx and fully insured. 

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