RENAN BANJOS (Pronounced Re-Nanne) are hand crafted in Richmond, Virginia, by J. Tyler Burke. Named after Renan, Virginia - a small community at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains where Tyler's family has roots.
What Renan Banjos offers:
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Quality craftsmanship and playability
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Lifetime Warranty on all wood parts
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Wood sourced locally and responsibly
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Value placed in reuse and recycled materials
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Value placed in alternative Inlay & Fingerboard materials
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Only the Finest Hardware made in North America
ABOUT THE BUILDER
Tyler's background is rooted in the visual arts and woodworking. Raised in Virginia and educated at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he has worked in the entertainment and woodworking industries for over 20 years and as a banjo builder for the last 11.
I am a tinkerer and I probably inherited that can-do attitude from my parents. They are visual artists, creative thinkers, makers and naturally hard workers. My sister and I were nurtured early on to push our creative energies towards the greater good. Whether I was constructing scale models or applying bondo or engineering puppets- I've always been pushing my craft. At the root I'm a visual artist, sculptor and music lover. It just took me this long to hone these skills and I'm still learning- ever humble because of it.
An old-timer once proclaimed:
"I don't make mistakes, I make variations!"
At the end of the day I want to build elegant banjos from scratch. They should be sonically resonant, comfortable to play and visually stunning. I want you to revel in the details as much as I do. I put a lot of time and energy into craftsmanship, each task a calculated practice~ the details add up. If I've learned anything, it's patience with myself and with wood. Have respect for yourself and for the medium. The rest follows.
– J. Tyler Burke