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Who is Weitzel Banjo and Why Should I Care?
Weitzel Banjo was founded in 2012 by me, Jeffrey Weitzel. I changed careers to focus on my artistic skills and musical passions, which melded together in the form of luthierie. I've never been one to do things the same as anyone else, so I started with a quest to redesign the banjo from the ground up. I took on such challenges as making all of my own hardware because the hardware didn't exist that would do what I thought it should. Banjos are notoriously hard to set up, so I made all of the parts as adjustable as possible. And at up to 13lbs and beyond, many players develop back problems from the weight, so I shaved as much weight as possible while keeping a solid, full tone.
The results are banjos that have been turning heads in a very traditional world. The banjos I've made have gotten much acclaim, but they are prototypes that would cost over $20,000 a piece if I charged for the time put into them. I have about 1 1/2 years of research and design work into these, and I don't have funding left to actually produce them at a rate that people can afford. Now that all of the design work is done, if I can make a run of 6 or so banjos of the same design, I will be able to sell them at a price that serious players can afford. Without this funding my designs will take much longer to find their way to market.
The Following is for Banjo Nerds
(Click here to skip down to what you can do to help - and your perks!)
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By the time I finished that first banjo, I had done the following:
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• Created a fifth string capo system that is completely integrated into the neck. There is one pop up button for each fret. It lays flat when not in use and pops up with a magnet when needed, holding the string securely in place.
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• Manufactured brackets that not only held the resonator on without an unnecessary metal flange, but were also adjustable, so that the airspace between the resonator and the rim could be tuned for optimal sound.
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• Introduced ideas from the violin world - A recurved, hand carved resonator, a carved scroll head, and a springlike "soundpost" to transfer sound directly from the head to the resonator.
• Made an incredibly beautiful instrument that I could learn how to play and start showing around.
And a few more...
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That first banjo turned more than a few heads in my direction. Béla Fleck invited me to show it to him after a concert in San Francisco. He loved what I was doing, thought it was beautiful, and gave me some suggestions on how to improve a few things - mostly setup issues that I was able to incorporate as soon as I got home. His suggestions helped immensely, and I went to work designing the next banjo.
I used what worked best in the first one and added the following features:
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• An adjustable neck to rim connection. Just a simple turn of an allen key will adjust the neck up or down, easily adjusting the string action.
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• A tunneled fifth string. I didn't invent this, but I realized with the first banjo that to a lot of players, the wider neck at the nut just doesn't feel "right", so I made this model with the standard 4 strings at the nut, tunneling the fifth to the head to get rid of the side tuning peg.
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• A wooden tailpiece with all of the adjustments of a metal one. This shaved a few more ounces from the weight and got rid of any possible metallic overtones from the tailpiece that some players don't like.
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• Used a wooden tone ring made of Cocobolo, a very dense wood, that shaved about 3 lbs from the weight, but kept a very loud and bright tone.
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• Used Port Orford Cedar for the neck and back. Its stiffness and lightness allowed me to shave yet more weight. Total weigh in: 6lbs 5oz - about half of the weight of many bluegrass banjos!
What I Need to Complete this Project:
I need at least $8000 to make this first run of 6 happen. Here is where that money will go.
- The materials and consumable materials alone for each banjo will run at least $750. Times 6 is $4500.
- I need to live while I make them. Right now this is my job. I'm currently working on one custom build, but after that ? Keep me working! It takes time to build these. Even in production mode, making 6 at a time, it will take months to make these. That's not much income, but it will keep (at least a small amount of) food on the table!
- Your help in any way that you can is greatly appreciated. In return, you will recieve...
Your Perks!
I am offering some of the best perks for your donations to be found in a crowdfunding campaign. As an artist, I've been having fun coming up with something for just about anyone, whether you play banjo or just want to support banjodom. Check out what I have to offer:
Banjo Playing Cards! I've seen quite a few crowdfunding campaigns trying to raise money just for making a custom deck of cards. But I'm putting in the work to design these on the house, just so you can have some great perks! Poker size.
The court cards are giving recognition to the four very general families of banjos. Hearts honors the origins of the banjo in America, as it was brought over by slaves. These instruments were made from gourds, hide skins, and whatever happened to be available. Diamonds depicts old time and open back instruments. Clubs shows the 4 string world of banjos with tenor/Irish tenor and plectrum banjos. Spades is for the bluegrass world of 5 string resonator banjos. I saved the banjitar for the joker...
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Check the UPDATES for more card images!
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Artwork from the above Playing Card Deck! Posters of the Court cards, a Fine Print of your favorite card, or even The Original Artwork! All signed by Jeffrey. I'll even custom frame it for you!
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T-Shirts! Choose from one of these two stylin' designs! Don't forget to tell me your size! S-XL. Add $5 for 2XL or 3XL.
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A Ukulele! Jeff's own design. It only looks like it's inspired by a banjo, really...
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A Banjo Bridge! One of Weitzel Banjos original designs! Swapping bridges is one of the easiest things you can do to change the sound of your banjo. These bridges will give your banjo a bright, lively tone and even string response. Try one out!
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Even a BANJO! Yes, you can pre-order one of the banjos that will be made as a result of this campaign! And at an incredible price for a banjo as well crafted and feature-filled as these.
Can't decide between a Uke or a Banjo? How about a Banjo Ukulele! I've got a special design worked up for a Mini Banjo, with a Baritone Ukulele scale. Perfect for a child to learn on, but well made enough for a true picker.
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Stickers! Everyone loves stickers! So I designed my own banjo sticker that any banjo fan can slap on a car, banjo case or wherever. Size is 3" x 11.5" - outdoor quality vinyl stickers. Tell the world "I Banjo!"
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FAQ's
What if you don't meet your goal?
If I don't meet the $8000 Goal, I will still receive whatever funds have been donated (although Indiegogo will take 9% of it instead of 5% for a successful campaign) and move forward on whatever level I can. Most likely I will do a smaller run of banjos based on the funding I get. Your funds will still help me to move forward, just at a slower pace. All of the perks will be fulfilled even with only small orders. All the suppliers I will be using can do very small runs, so fulfillment will not be an issue.
What if your goal is exceeded?
That, of course, is my true goal. I really wanted to ask for a much larger amount, but decided I'd rather reach a smaller goal than fail at a larger one.
Additional funds will be used in this order:
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$10,000 level - I will buy tooling for my machine lathe. For you techie types, that would include a rotary table, a four-jaw independent chuck and some cutters. These will help out greatly with accuracy and productivity for multiple areas of the banjo making process.
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$12,000 level - I will be able to replace my old modified contractors table saw with a real cabinet table saw. This will save me trips elsewhere to ensure accurate cuts or unnecessary setup time, cleanup and waste when I make the cuts myself.
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$15-20,000 level - A living wage?
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$25,000 level - This will get me a good portion of the way towards building a new studio in the yard (with a good amount of sweat equity thrown in), giving me a bit of breathing space. Right now I'm in a one car garage, shared with 4 bikes, laundry and gardening/yard equipment. OSHA would not approve...
Is Shipping Included?
Shipping is included for all United States Orders. International orders please add 10% to the cost of your perk below the $500 amount. International orders for instruments ($500 and over level) will have shipping billed to you separately at the actual shipping cost for insured shipping.
What will the specs be on this run of banjos?
The construction and design will be very similar to my Denuo banjo (the second one listed above). You can view its specs on my website here - http://weitzelbanjo.com/gallery/denuo/ .
Expected differences will be:
- No capo system installed standard (contact me if you are really interested in adding this feature).
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Different tuners. I will use high quality planetary banjo tuners.
- One piece neck, no center stripe.
- Less Binding. In trying to keep the costs down, this is one thing that can go away without affecting the quality. The resonator will still be bound, as its construction requires it.
- Woods. May be the same, maybe the resonator back becomes figured maple...
- This is all subject to change! Material availability, cost fluctuations and such may change what is used. Also I sometimes come up with a better idea... If you need something a very particular way - please contact me!
Can you really supply all of these perks to us when you promise?
During my career as a sculptor, I did many public and private commissions. I had to bid on cost in advance and keep to a scheduled deadline. I was able to complete every project on time and within budget. I know how to budget for money and time. So, barring a disaster from beyond my control, your items will be supplied on time and to your expectations.
Your Impact
This may not help solve world hunger, but it will help out a business that is on the verge of success and just needs that extra boost to get there. No part of this venture will be outsourced overseas. I'll simply be using my own talents to supply a product that there is already a very interested market for. They have already beaten a small path to my door; I just need to be able to supply the need at a fair price. It is a reasonable goal that just needs that extra kick!
Other Ways You Can Help
Can't afford even a bumper sticker? (Trust me I know what that is like!) You can still help by SHARING this campaign with as many friends as possible. Use the Indiegogo share tools and spread the word!
Pick on!