Our Story
We believe the banjo is the ideal first string instrument for kids. Its intuitive design and quick learning curve make it easy to start playing, providing instant feedback that everyone has the skills to make good-sounding music from the start.
Founder Zack Munsell discovered this firsthand in 2019 when he bought his first banjo. He was amazed at how much easier it was to learn compared to other string instruments he had previously tried learning, like the guitar and ukulele.
In 2022, Zack left his full-time corporate job to pursue his mission: making the banjo the go-to beginner string instrument. He embarked on a cross-country journey, learning from banjo makers in North Carolina, Georgia, Oregon, and Colorado. This adventure ultimately led to the creation of the prototype for The Friendly Banjo (being played by Zack’s nephew Calvin in photo).
In December 2022 Zack launched a successful Kickstarter campaign for The Friendly Banjo. Within a year he partnered with Massachusetts-based instrument maker Magic Fluke, and together they've now made hundreds of Friendly Banjos. In 2025, the partnership has focused on improving our original design based on user feedback, and we now create what we believe to be the best string instrument for making young kids feel confident playing music.
More About Zack
Zack Munsell is the proud uncle to seven nieces and nephews and a friend to every child he meets. His genuine passion for connecting with people is the core driving force behind Friendly Banjos. Zack founded this company on the belief that the Friendly Banjo is the perfect tool for young families to bond, helping everyone—parents and children alike—discover connection and express their authentic selves.
Zack believes deeply in the healing power of nature and music, and his personal philosophy is rooted in the idea of trusting one’s intuition and honoring one's unique path. Based in East Chatham, NY, Zack lives this philosophy every day. He spends most of his time hiking the local trails with his dog and acts as the Center Director for the Family Resource Centers of Columbia County, reinforcing his commitment to community and young families.
Meet Our Manufacturer
Every Friendly Banjo is made by our manufacturing partner, Magic Fluke. Since 1999, Magic Fluke has been renowned for producing high-quality, innovative American-made instruments, including ukuleles, violins, banjos, and mandolins.
Magic Fluke is committed to sustainability, operating our of a solar-powered workshop, and sourcing the wood for all their instruments locally. We are proud to partner with Magic Fluke, knowing that every Friendly Banjo meets the exceptional standards that have made them a trusted name in the American music industry.
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The play-by-color tabs are awesome! Very easy to quickly figure out what to do, even for the kids
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-Emmett F.
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My five year old immediately took to it, and loves walking round the house strumming and singing
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Frances G.
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"Awesome little banjo. Well-made and durable. Zack was very responsive and is a stand-up guy."
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-Zack B.
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"Really beautiful tone and easy for a young person to pick it up and feel like an accomplished musician!"
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-Wilson S.
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"Since introducing the Friendly Banjo in my classroom, my students have created their own songs as well as teach themselves songs they like! "
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-Phoebe B
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Our Friendly Banjo is a beautiful and sturdy work of art, which is always the center of attention when our three year old is out and about with it!
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Shelley C.
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"A super high quality build, sounds great, and my 5 year old is having a ton of fun with it (I am too!)"
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-Michael M.
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“The perfect instrument to get kids interested and excited about music! My 2 and 5 year old love it, they're already playing fun, easy songs.”
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-Eric R.
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"A banjo made just for kids, what can be better! Made so well it will be handed down for generations too!"
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-Anni M.
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.