Testimonials

Hey man, this dang thing sounds great. Real old timey for sure. Everything on it is flawless and just exudes this cool old time feel.

Yous da man.

Hello Brooks, I must say your banjos are very impressive. Keep up the good work and if you have some extras we would be willing to carry them.

I first played a Brooks banjo in North Carolina and it pert near blew me to the floor. Since I was merely a student at the time and struggling to even eat regularly, there wasn’t much chance of it making the journey back to Kentucky with me. So I saved what money I could, all the while inquiring about Brooks’ character from folks who know. “Interesting,” I thought as the stories were propelling the man into mythical proportions.

A few months later I wrote the real Brooks an email describing the banjo I would like to play but to be built with his eye for detail and feel of old time music. After several brainstorming sessions we had a plan. I flew out to Portland in January, 2006 during the Portland Old Time Gathering anxious to see what Brooks had conjured up. I recognized this banjo the first time I saw it. It came to fruition beyond my wildest imagination. Brooks Masten builds banjos with the hands of a one hundred and fifty year old craftsman and the eyes of a true artist. I have never been more grateful to possess an instrument as I am for this banjo which is now an essential part of my musical endeavors and is sure to vibrate with the sounds of the southern Appalachians long after I am gone.

In other words, this is one hell of a banjo.