Discontinued Banjo kits assembly videos here

[Carver Banjos]

I’ve decided to discontinue the diy banjo kits, 12” and 10” models. This model had a shaped heel and a round dowel stick construction.
I’ve found this construction has not been as popular as my square dowel models. It has also required more time to make each kit and there is more likelihood for error in constructing on my end and error in assembly in the customer end. My square dowel kits are bullet proof, easier to manufacture, assemble and adjust, so I’ll keep going with them. I plan to make all of the neck types available again in the future on a square dowel platform if there is demand.

For anyone that owns the round dowel kit, the assembly video is posted below.
Thank you for the support as I continue to improve my banjo kit lineup.

[Carver Banjos]

I’m now packaging all of my kits with a versatile string set. This allows for cello (low) tuning on any kit. For this reason I’m taking the “cello banjo” kit off, at least for now. Moving in to 2025 I am going to focus mainly on the classic minstrel neck. This neck can accommodate the lower cello strings just as well as the cello neck has.
I’m planning to offer the minstrel neck on a tackhead bent rim kit, a gourd kit and on a rim kit with adjustable head tension hardware. I will also soon make the classic minstrel neck available WITH FRETS. It makes sense to focus in on this capable neck design and use it across the board.
So that being said, the cello banjo kit is out of the lineup, at least for now. Please consider the classic minstrel kit instead and you can tune it exactly as the cello kit.

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[Carver Banjos]

I’ve also discontinued the travel banjo kit in its old form and I am now offering it with a 10” bent rim. The construction and assembly is exactly identical to the classic minstrel kits, just smaller. This makes more sense in manufacturing. moving into 2025 I’m trying to streamline all of my offerings. So if you have a pre-2025 travel kit model, the assembly video is here:

[chrisgraham]

Brian, so is this to say that the assorted necks with the 5th peg that goes in under the fretboard won’t be available on a 12″ tackhead rim? So only on gourd and mountain now?? Not sure how I feel about 5th going through the fretboard. Seems in the way.

[Carver Banjos]

For now, that’s right. I have seen people with a preference for one or the other. One thing I know is the minstrel neck with the peg through the fingerboard is my all time best selling neck and I will be focusing in on it.
I don’t think the peg is any less in the way for either style.
Is there a side peg neck that you personally would like to see on a 12” tackhead?

[chrisgraham]

Americana side peg was my hope, but if that’s not an option, I’ll just go with the minstrel. Thanks!

[chrisgraham]

Is the Americana kit coming back? The peghead shape on the Minstrel is the same shape I see in most depictions of the racist Minstrel shows of the later 1800s, and I can’t quite talk myself into it.

Any other peghead shape options for a 12″?

[Carver Banjos]

I can’t help but feel a little insulted by that because my peghead shapes are not inherently racist and to think you might be promoting racism by supporting my art is a little extreme in my opinion. I’m not an historian but I do aim to keep the art form and music of the old time American 5 string banjo preserved with my work. It’s a truly American instrument and a crucial part of our history and culture.
Of course the minstrel banjo I offer is based upon historical examples of actual minstrel era banjos. How could you expect a minstrel banjo to have no connection to the minstrel shows that it is named after?
The Americana peghead is also based 100% upon historical minstrel era banjos. It’s a reality that cannot be escaped if you are seeking out to own a minstrel banjo. Thank you for your consideration.

[chrisgraham]

Brian, I’m terribly sorry. I did not mean it as a personal attack, and wish I’d not wrote it. I’m very new to banjos, and was taken aback upon learning about a certain piece of history. I understand now that the instrument has transcended it’s roots.

All the banjos I’ve seen made from your kits are absolutely stunning, and the fact that they’re affordable has me very grateful.

I hope you can forgive me.

[Carver Banjos]

I forgive you Chris. I thought about it and the minstrel banjo might not mean the same thing to everyone as it means to me, so I should not be offended. You’re not wrong, but I certainly only wish to preserve the art of these unique banjos. Thank you for your compliments and thank you for posting on my forums!

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