the shop has been quiet in august. i am slowly working on a banjo for darius, but also trying to figure out the future of my workspace and whether/where i will be moving. however, if anyone is interested in purchasing an instrument without waiting, the wenge gourd banjo is up on ebay right now (item no. 330157336001).

who would guess that TWO gourd banjo makers would end up living within a mile of one another? i guess anything is possible... in jamaica plain. anyways, i paid my first visit to paul sedgewicks house and studio today. its a mind-blowingly inspirational place. a) its a workspace that is actually nice. b) the banjos and other gourd instruments there are wonderful. c) AKONTINGS!!!

paul seems like a great guy, and it was fun to talk to him and hear him play the banjos and akontings. i was really inspired by some of the different, and more 'primitive' designs for banjos i saw there, and i think i am really going to have to start experimenting with some new forms now. and of course, the akontings were positively mesmerizing. this voyage had a two-fold effect. one, it reminded me of why i love the banjo, and why i love gourd banjos in particular. two, it reminded me og how awesome jamaica plain is.

i have been in the midst of looking for a new apartment and workspace, and therefore havent really had much time to work on banjos of late. but work should start back up as soon as all this uncertainty is resolved.