banjo on the boat.

travel banjo tuned to 'a' built for me by Phil Davidson.

I got my first 5 string banjo in about 1960 but severe arthritis in my hands makes it almost impossible to play.

Unexpected gig at Barnard Castle.

This is a Gold Tone WL 250 Whyte Lady which was built for me by 'Andy Banjo' (Andy Perkins of Faversham) to replace my original John Grey.

We had gone to Barnard Castle and since in those days I was rarely without my banjo, I took the Whyte Lady. As it happened Dr Busker was also there and invited me to join him on stage.

My Gibson 1923 Snakehead

Gibson A-1 "Snakehead" Carved Top Mandolin (1923), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan during the prime "Loar era" at Gibson. These "Snakeheads" are generally considered the best-sounding oval hole A style mandolins ever made, just before the company's focus shifted to banjos and then guitars. The "Snakeheads" are named for the Loar-designed peghead that angles inward towards the tip, abandoned by Gibson several years later. They have unmatched tone and projection and a slimmed-down one piece mahogany neck with an adjustable truss rod and adjustable ebony bridge.