RENAN BANJOS (Pronounced Ree-Naan) 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, Gotoh Tuners made in Japan
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 and around the entertainment industry and in custom woodworking, milling, and cabinetry for over 15 years.
I am influenced by all types of art and that conveys in what I make. To me, the construction of an instrument is just as important as its sound. I put careful consideration into composition, wood choice, patina, pattern, materials and aesthetics. My desire is to make simple, yet elegant, banjos, which often requires a painstaking editing processes. I’m seeking to make the best possible instrument, one banjo at at a time."
– J. Tyler Burke
For Me
Aesthetic inspiration is fueled by a feeling, a gesture, an emotion... from that I formulate a theme~ it ultimately becomes a story telling device.
I'm pulling ideas & expressions from:
Tattoo Flash
Pop Art
Architecture
Industrial Design
Graphic Design
Folk art
While the methods to build a banjo are traditional; my push has been on introducing modern & contemporary art forms to the aesthetic of the instrument. Mother of Pearl has traditionally been utilized as a decorative material in inlay. As our oceans warm, MOP is fast becoming a finite resource.
I place value in alternative materials such as: reconstituted stone, hardwoods, paper & acrylic. There is infinite room for creative expression utilizing alternative & sustainable materials.
