Friendly Banjos was conceptualized by Zack Munsell during a summer road trip through the American South in 2021. The idea was to create a brand that would establish the banjo as the ideal beginner string instrument and simultaneously serve as a vehicle for helping correct the misappropriation of the banjo. Zack has always had a strong connection with working with children and truly believes that art and music are powerful tools for emotional navigation, personal growth, and healing. Guided by these principles, he set out to build a banjo company for kids.
In the winter of 2022, Zack drove cross-country to live and work with Brooks Masten of Brooks Banjos in Portland, Oregon, with the purpose of learning about banjo building and practicing social media marketing. Through working closely together over a span of 3 months, Brooks helped Zack foster a more creative and joyful approach to both life and work. After leaving Portland, on his way back to Massachusetts, Zack made a pit stop in Fort Collins, CO, and ended up staying for two months to build the first ‘Kid Friendly Banjo’ prototype with the help and guidance of Mark Austin from Cloverlick Banjo Shop. Zack remains deeply grateful for the important roles both Brooks and Mark played at this critical phase.
In late 2022, Zack unveiled his prototype on TikTok, garnering over 1.4 million views and predominantly positive feedback from a growing community of banjo enthusiasts. This exposure enabled Zack to successfully launch and fund a Kickstarter campaign.
In late 2023 and early 2024, updated prototypes and subsequent production models for 'The Friendly Banjo' were designed and crafted in collaboration with Magic Fluke Company in Sheffield, MA. Magic Fluke has since become Friendly Banjos' official manufacturing partner, handcrafting each Friendly Banjo in their solar-powered workshop.
Our Story
Thank you to our 150 Kickstarter backers who played a vital role in bringing Friendly Banjos to life.
Aaron Hemmila, Aaron Tagliaboschi, Adrien, Alex Diment, Alex Kincade, Alexi, Alicia Askey, Allison Rebecca Penn, Alyce Mark, Alyssa Ryan, Anna, Anna Ryan, Andrew Dalton, Andrew J Monks, Audrey Stueckle, Benjamin Howland, Beth Hempelman, Brendan, Brett A, Brianna Wehner, Brian Noyes, Brooke Perez, Bryan White, Campbell J Longworth, Carina, Carlos Navarrete, Casey Stanton, Casey Tepper, Chad Faulkner, Chase, Chris Hernandez, Colin, Colleen Feeney, Cyril Vallet, Dan Miller, Darrell Holovach, Dave Munsell, Dave Rite, Deb Sundin, Debra Brungardt, Diane Munsell, Eddie V, Elena Schoen Northen, Emma Sundin, Eric Raum, Erica R. Smith, Erik Peterson, Erik Wilson, Evan, Frank Dellasala, Gina Alba, Graeme Brunst, Griffin, Hannah Amundson, Hannah Hollis Moss, Harry Kastenbaum, Hayley Rose, Hilary Riley, Ian Soderberg, Jacob Corvidae, Jake Palatine, Jamie Collins, Jamie Ryan, Jasmine Hogan, Jean-Marie Olsen, Jeanne Griffin Tuthill, Jeff Andrew, Jeff Scholtes, Jessica Kowal, Jim Griffin, Joe Lewis, John Dalton, John Everette-Domino, John Malarik, Jonathan, Jonathan Ritter-Roderick, Jordan, Juliette LaMontagne, Justin, Justin Freedman, Katrina Mills, Katherine Stocking-Lopez, Katie, Katie Furr, Katie Vincent, Kenneth Glickman, Kevin Cafaro, Kyle McDonald, Laura Loewy, Leslie Cobb, Liz Libby, Lisa Brennan, Madeline Langley, Madeleine Slama, Maureen Josephine, Matthew Cwynar, Matthew DeDeo, Matt Corbett, Matt Kohler, Matt Rundio, Meghan Johnson, Michael C. Mihalecz, Michael Wodarski, Michaela, Mike Munsell, MJ Shiao, Molly Heller, Morgan Cafaro, Nicole, Nicole Flores, Nicole Wachtel, Noah K, Olya, Paul, Pey Carter, Phil Stebbing, Racey Garnet, Ravi Manghani, Rebecca, Regan Calvert, Robbie Hogan, Ryan, Sammantha Lopez, Sara Parks, Sarah Beatie, Scott Blazis, Sean Ball, Seth & LeeAnn, Seth Van Norman, Shawn Hosseini, Shelby Swafford, Sonja, Taran Wilson, Tatiana Gebing, Thomas Munsell, Tim Ball, Timothy Snyder, Tristan Elias, Tristan Novokshonoff, Zack.
Resources
To learn more about the African roots of the banjo you can visit Black Music Project.
You may also enjoy reading Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo's Hidden History by Kristina Gaddy
To learn more about our manufacturing partner Magic Fluke you can visit www.magicfluke.com
For more about our origin story, check out @buildingabanjocompany on Instagram and Tiktok.
Check out Brooks Banjos and Cloverlick Banjo Shop if your in the market for a high-quality, American Made banjo