The TranjoCaster solid body electric 5-string banjo! There are 2 pickups -- neck and bridge - and a blend pot to combine the two signals. Alternate pickups, control options, alternate wood and colors also available -- please contact me for details and pricing. The TranjoCaster plays like a banjo but sounds like an electric guitar. The blend control gives a wide variety of tone combinations, from mellow jazz guitar to twangy country electric (scroll down for sound clips). List price for a stock Tranjocaster is $1195
walnut body, standard black hardware
walnut body, gold hardware
Cherry body, red stain, gold hardware
Red lacquer over maple (old style tuners)
Standard maple body (old style tuners)
Custom black model for Ian Patton, featured on the YouTube links below (old style tuners)
Click any image for a larger view
TranjoCaster Specifications:
Body and neck - maple or walnut
Fingerboard - ebony, 12" radius, 22 frets
7" - 12" compound radius available
Scale length -- 25 1/2" (26 3/8" available on special order)
Pearl dot inlays, white side dots
Two-way adjustable truss rod
Poly 1" adjustable mesh strap
Pickups - GFS Lil Killer humbucker
Controls - Concentric volume/tone pot, blend pot
Bridge - metal Tuneomatic type, with height and compensation adjustment
Tuners - Steinberger gearless
weight - 4.25 lbs
One bolt removable neck for travel transport - no string removal required
Fits into a 20" carryon suitcase (with neck removed)
Materials and workmanship warrantied for 5 years to original owner
Travel damage not covered under warranty
14 Day evaluation period for web orders -- you may return your undamaged TranjoCaster within 14 days of receipt, for any reason, for a full refund (less shipping)
TranjoCaster Ordering Information
Full price prepay for TranjoCaster - List price $1195 (USD). Standard shipping and handling (ground service, continental US) is an additional $30. Normal delivery is 8-10 weeks from order. International shipping (outside US) - $100 (added at checkout)
- OR -
Deposit for TranjoCaster - $600 (USD) Secures your place on the waiting list. Normal delivery is 6-8 weeks. You will be contacted to pay the balance due before shipping when your Tranjo is ready. Shipping and handling charges will be added to your final payment.
Gold tuners and bridge - $50 (USD)
If you would rather pay directly by check or money order, email me for details, or call (615) 456-5486 between 9 AM to 9 PM US Central Time (GMT -6). Thanks for your interest! -- Sam Farris, proprietor.
I took the prototype TranjoCaster to the 2006 Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy to show it off. I was fortunate enough to record both Gary "Biscuit" Davis and James McKinney playing some fantastic licks and tunes. These clips are used with their permission (thanks, guys!). The clips were recorded on a Sony MiniDisc using a homemade stereo condenser microphone, not directly from the amplifier. There is a slight distortion on the louder passages, but that is from the original recording levels being a little too hot.
