BBF - The Bluegrass Music Social Network

The Bishline Banjo fan community is much more than just a fan site. It is an interactive social network for bluegrass music enthusiasts and bluegrass musicians. This community was created to provide an interactive meeting place for banjo and bluegrass music lovers. Our goal is to create a comprehensive and interactive social network for all things bluegrass. As we grow and expand, we will strive to add features to improve your experience and create a community that is useful and engaging.

Our member area includes the following features:

If you are interested in joining the BBF bluegrass social network, register here. In order to join our bluegrass social network, members are required to abide by our terms of service at all times. Failure to comply with the BBF terms of service will result in loss of site privileges.

Additional features are being considered and some are currently under development. We hope you find this site interesting and useful. We encourage you to get involved and invite your friends.

You do not have to own a Bishline banjo to participate and enjoy this website. This site is a banjo fan site first.. with the intention of providing an introduction to the Bishline Banjo Company and some of the finest handmade banjos on the planet.. Bishline banjos.

Custom Bluegrass Banjos | Handmade | Handcrafted

The Bishline Banjo Company specializes in handcrafted, custom banjos. These handmade banjos are created to exacting specifications based on customer preferences and requirements. As an accomplished musician and proficient luthier, Rob Bishline possesses the complete skill set required to create outstanding custom bluegrass banjos. Being both an accomplished musician and a master luthier gives Rob a special insight into the fundamentals of creating fine handmade instruments as well as a musicial perspective on tone, playability, and timbre.

Fine Custom 5 String Banjos Begin With Select Hardwoods

The creation of fine custom bluegrass banjos begins with the selection of exquisite and exotic hardwoods. These select hardwoods are the primary building block of top quality 5 string banjos. The Bishline Banjo Company is very selective and efficient in their use of these rare and exotic woods. Careful planning before and during the production process ensures that maximum yield is achieved with each piece of wood. The goal is to create some of the finest custom banjos ever built while preserving an ample supply of natures finest hardwoods for future generations. The Bishline Banjo Company offers select hardwoods in the production of their custom banjos which include:

The Bishline Banjo Company will also create a custom banjo from any special piece of wood supplied by the customer. If you have a piece of heirloom wood that you would like to see fashioned into a custom bluegrass banjo, contact Bishline Banjo Company today for a consultation and quote.

Wood Finish Options And Colors

The Bishline Banjo Company offers both stained and natural finish options.

Option 1: Staining:
As a rule, staining is reserved for maple banjos because the maple lends itself to the staining process and produces rich results. However, if the customer has a specific requirement for a custom instrument and would like to apply stain to any wood other than maple, Bishline Banjos will produce a banjo to customer specifications.

Also as a rule, the staining process is usually applied in the "sunburst" fashion. This gives the stain a "graduated" or "gradient" appearance. The "sunburst" finish is widely accepted as one of the more aesthetically pleasing wood finishes applied to musical instruments. However, if the customer requires a solid stain application without the "sunburst" characteristic, Bishline Banjo Company will produce a banjo to customer specifications.

Option 2: Natural Finishes:
Generally, a natural finish is applied to all select and exotic woods including maple. Select hardwoods including koa, mahogany, and walnut lend themselves to the natural finish in that the finish brings out the natural beauty of the grain and character of the wood. The Bishline Banjo Company offers the following options in wood finishing:

Premium Quality Birch Rims

The Bishline custom banjo is constructed using the finest parts available. All parts included in the construction are made in the U.S.A. The select hardwood rims are no exception. Having access to the finest rims available in the American marketplace, Bishline has chosen vintage three-ply maple rims and Tony Pass birch wood rims for it's custom 5 string banjos. These rims include:

These rims are considered to be "standard equipment" on Bishline custom 5 string banjos. However, if the customer has a specific requirement for a certain rim and would like to include a different rim as part of the construction process, Bishline Banjos will produce a banjo to customer specifications.

Premium Quality "Bell Brass" Tone Rings - The Heart Of The Bluegrass Sound

The tone ring is one of the most important components in the construction of a 5 string bluegrass banjo. The tone ring is the central component that gives the banjo it's definitive sound, warmth, character, and tonal quality. All Bishlines come standard with the Bishline tone ring. The Bishline tone ring is the result of years of research and development. The Bishline tone ring is known for it’s impeccable sound.

The Bishline tone ring is considered to be among the best tone rings available. However, if the customer has a specific requirement for a certain tone ring and would like to include a different tone ring as part of the construction process, Bishline Banjos will produce a banjo to customer specifications.

On Saturday, January 31, 2009 Bishline Banjos hosted the Danny Barnes banjo workshop. The event was held at the Bishline Banjo Company headquarters at 324 E. 10th Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event was a great success. Pickers from around the region were treated to instruction and valuable banjo picking techniques as presented by Danny Barnes. Danny Barnes is a professional banjo player and a featured performer with groups that include:

At this time, another banjo workshop has not been scheduled. Due to the success of the workshop held 1-31-2009, it is possible that additional banjo workshops will be held in the future. The following gallery contains photos from the event. If you would like to inquire about future banjo workshops, please contact us through this web site or by calling Bishline Banjo Company.

The Midnight Moon:

This black stained, highly flamed maple banjo is a real work of art. The headstock is done entirely of wood marquetry and abalone and features the crescent moon and the milky way over a mountain range. The fingerboard is marked with constellations and the highly flamed lace wood binding ties it all together. The resonator features an abalone moon surrounded by stars. Don't be fooled by this banjos artistry though. It still has a strong punchy sound and that " Bishline feel" to the neck.

Bishline banjos standards are unmatched in quality, tone and playability. This area contains specifications and information associated with current Bishline banjo standard models. Browse these fine instruments and make your selections. Also be sure to visit the classifieds section of this site to check for any standard banjos that are ready for shipment.

The standards include:

The Blue Bayou:

The Blue Bayou is a good example of how creative you can get when customizing your banjo. This stained maple has an oceanic feel to it and not every banjo you see has a mermaid sitting on the fingerboard. Rob has even created custom maple banjos stained green and purple. This banjo has a tunneled fifth string, laminated neck which is an available option on all Bishline models.

The Cardinal:

A blood red, wood Cardinal sits atop the headstock of this burl walnut banjo. Mahogany leafs trimmed in pearl adorn the fret board and a layered, laminated heel cap really give this banjo a nice look. The neck is laminated and the ring is a Tp Schaffer Lost Timbre rim. The Cardinal is loud and proud.

The Classic:

Classic banjo elegance. This is Bishline's most traditional inlay pattern for a standard model. It comes standard in tobacco-stained maple and with a laminated neck. Another standard feature of the classic is the Tp Schaffer Lost Timbre Rim. This banjo has been described as "quite a weapon".

Bishline banjos customs are rivaled only by the Bishline Standards in quality, tone and playability. This area contains specifications and information associated with current Bishline banjo custom models. Browse these fine instruments and make your selections. The Bishline Banjo Company will also create a one-of-a-kind banjo based on the customers needs and preferences. Be sure to visit the classifieds section of this site to check for any custom banjos that are ready for shipment.

The standards include:

The Danny Barnes Model:

This model was originally a customized Heirloom built for legendary banjo man Danny Barnes. Danny was after a thick, dark toned banjo that also would serve his needs on stage when he amplifies the instrument. It comes standard with a Tony Pass "Woody" rim that has the ring turned into it. It also features a 25 1/2 inch short scale neck to make reaching notes easier, and when it's plugged in, sounds like a real banjo!

The Entertainer:

This model has it all. A five piece laminated neck, elegant binding and intricate inlays in the headstock, fingerboard and resonator. Gold plated and engraved hardware throughout. A fancy burl walnut makes this banjo as nice to look at from the back as it is the front. The radiussed fingerboard is another option on all Bishlines.

The Heirloom:

Bishline's entry level banjo. Simple, yet tasteful inlay pattern.The Heirloom comes standard with a lot of extras you would expect to pay thousands of dollars more. All Heirlooms come standard in mahogany maple or walnut. Mahogany and walnut come standard with maple wood binding... maple comes standard with a "cremona " finish and white plastic binding. The Bishine Heirloom is a lot of banjo for the money.

The Bishline Banjo Fan Site

BishlineBanjoFans.com is the official fan site of the Bishline Banjo Company. This interactive member community is a meeting place for banjo enthusiasts the world over. This portal was created to provide a virtual "meeting place" for Bishline banjo owners as well as those who share a passion for the 5-string banjo and bluegrass music. You do not have to own a Bishline to join this site. In fact, the purpose of this site is to introduce banjo players around the world to Rob Bishline and his hand-crafted banjos.

Chances are you have never heard of Bishline banjos. If you are a banjoist who appreciates top-quality handmade banjos and you have never heard of the Bishline name, then you need to consider these master-crafted instruments. Bishline's are handmade using the finest woods, components, and materials available. Rob is not only a master luthier, he is also an accomplished banjo player. He knows first-hand the emphasis that musicians place on the characteristics of a musical instrument. Rob not only understands the importance of solid, quality craftsmanship... he understands the special attributes associated with the banjo that include:

If you are serious about your music and passionate about the banjo, you owe it to yourself to become acquainted with the Bishline brand.

Join us today, even if you already have a favorite banjo... it's free, and you will find useful tools inside that will enhance your banjo playing experience! BishlineBanjoFans.com... a great place to meet people who share your passion for the hottest stringed instrument ever invented... the 5-string banjo!

Bishline Banjo Company
1739 S. Sheridan Rd.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74112
918-551-6419

BishlineBanjoFans
1854-A Hendersonville Road
Suite 214
Asheville, North Carolina 28803
828-473-0759

The Roc:

Based on a mythological creature, this a great example of just how "far out there" Rob can take a custom banjo for a customer with special interests. There are over 700 pieces of inlay on this fingerboard that Rob built for a friend.

The Salty Dog:

This little dog has a big bark. The Salty Dog comes standard in mahogany and really captures that mahogany sound. It comes standard with The Dog and bones inlay, A Bishline tone ring, nickel hardware and tortoise shell style binding. It was the purchase of the first Salty Dog built (the one featured in the Salty Dog gallery) that inspired this Bishline fan web site. "Playability and sound" are the two things mentioned often by Salty Dog owners. The Salty Dog will hold it's own in any jam session!

The Tree of Life:

The tobacco stained maple and Koa binding give this banjo a very rich look. The classic and elegant tree of life inlays are set against an ebony fingerboard. It also features a tunneled fifth string and a laminated neck.