Instruments

I play a variety of high quality instruments, but there are some of them I want to write a few words about, because of their outstanding quality and my friendship with their builders.

My Dearstone Mandolin:

Ray Dearstone is an instrument builder and luthier that lives in Tennessee.

In my opinion he makes some of the best Mandolins in the world.

My custom made Dearstone has some special features like a much wider fingerboard than standard with a 12” radius. It has a redwood top + some minor customizing for easier playability.

I will never let go of my Dearstone mandolin.

My Nechville Banjos:

I first met Tom Nechville and Val Johnson from Nechville Banjos at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival in Longford, Ireland and have since then become very good friends with them. After having played some of the Nechvilles, and Tom had explained and showed me his way of thinking when building them, I was convinced that Nechville Banjos are the best there are. They can’t be compared to any other Banjos. Everything on a Nechville has a purpose and is thoroughly thought through to improve the sound and make the playability easier.

I play a Nechville Phantom 5-string with a tunneled fifth string, extra wide compound radiused Cocobolo wood fingerboard, large frets and 14:1 right angle tuners.

I also play a goldplated Nechville Vintage five-string. Made of mahogany and with a custom Béla Fleck neck, this banjo plays like a dream and sounds fantastic.

My tenor banjo is a Nechville Classic. It is made of beautiful maple and has an archtop tonering. "Killer sound" and feel and is perfect for Celtic music.