I purchased this beautiful, unique gourd banjo from Bob Thornburg a little over a year ago. As the story goes, it was built for a small museum, in California I believe. It consequently closed its doors and it was returned to Mr. Thornburg. The neck is made of redwood from 100 + year old water tower. The banjo is strung with real gut strings (Purr'll Gut). Four extra strings are included (2nd, 5th and 2 1st). In the photos, you will see a couple of worm holes that were filled with resin by Bob. I feel that it adds to the primitive nature of this type of banjo. I find that I am not a great fretless player. I have my eye on another (standard open back) banjo, and must thin the herd a bit in order to buy it (and keep my marriage in tact!). One of my favorite claw hammer players, Josh Turknett, plays "Bonaparte's Retreat" on a Thornburg gourd in a You Tube video (click on or copy and paste this link: youtube.com/watch?v=CzVMI9qvG4A). I have a few more photos available if you would like them emailed. Please don't hesitate to e-mail me should you have any questions).
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