Banjos Direct | The UK's specialist online banjo shop

Banjos Direct becomes Britain's only company actually manufacturing banjos in the UK

The Islander OB-01 is the first in what will be a classic series of handmade banjos, exclusively manufactured by Banjos Direct: and the only range of banjos being made in the UK. In case that statement is a surprise, we should explain. Up until the 2nd World War there were numerous banjo manufacturers in England, but now there are none left but for a handful of individual craftsmen making instruments to individual commissions, and one or two people importing cheap rims and necks and doing an assembly job in the UK. Islander OB-01 ash block-rim on lathe

But with Islander Banjos we want to do something quite different from either of these: to create superb quality, hand-crafted, genuinely 'Made in England' instruments in small production batches.

This enables us to provide exceptional, aspirational, instruments at much more achievable prices than those made to private commission.

The first banjo in our range is the Ash block-rim Islander OB-01 (pictured right, on the lathe) which we know will not only be a wonderful instrument to play and own but will also become an instant collectors' item.

You can read more about the Islander Banjos range here and of course you can order your Islander OB-01 for August delivery here.

You are invited to join a worldwide banjo playing movement!

We are in the new era. An era when the magic of the banjo is attracting more players than ever before. Regardless of age. Regardless of musical influences. Regardless of experience or ability. The banjo isn't restricted anymore to Bluegrass, or to Old-Time, or even to folk or country. Now the banjo has a growing role in every kind of music, and more and more people are enjoying this fantastic instrument and its unique voice.

The banjo is easy to begin playing, very forgiving of learner's mistakes and early fumblings, fulfilling from the first time you play it, and thrillingly satisfying as you become more accomplished.

What we have here is a movement: a movement of people of all ages and backgrounds falling in love with the banjo and tearing down all the old prejudices, stereotypes and silly myths. The banjo is for everyone, and it seems that everyone is catching on!

Banjos Direct is proud to be at the forefront of this new movement and has become the choice for thousands of banjo buyers in this new era, because we've learned that when people buy a banjo they want three simple things:

1. Advice and information they can understand to help them choose the right instrument for them

2. Excellent personal service, that's friendly, efficient, reliable, and above all trustworthy

3. Brilliant instruments, in whatever price range: banjos that are built well from good materials, feel good, play well, and sound sweet

It doesn't matter whether you want to play like Earl Scruggs or Bela Fleck, or like Steve Martin, or to sound like Mumford & Sons, Abigail Washburn, or anybody else. It doesn't matter whether you want to play Bluegrass, Old-Time, folk, country, jazz, rock or pop. It doesn't matter if you're 15, 25, 55 or 85! It doesn't matter if you want to play alone, or with friends, or in sessions, or to form a band. There are no rules and no restrictions.

And it doesn't matter if you have no musical knowledge at all, or if you've never even picked up a banjo or any other instrument. Heck, it doesn't matter if you don't know Bluegrass from green grass. What matters is you want to play the banjo. So, welcome to the new era of the banjo. You're part of a worldwide musical movement, and that's a life enhancing thing to be.