I love the prototype Griffin banjo that James made when I was living in West Yorkshire. He brought it along to a session one evening and I didn't want to let him take it home with him. I bought it the next day and have been playing it ever since. It is a lovely instrument for accompaniments. He also does fantastic bluegrass models and small banjos too, called Grifflets. James can be found on the web using Google, but for those in the UK here are his details as advertised:

Griffin Banjos

New Banjos combining the best of hardware with fine craftmanship

James Bowen, 34 Lydbury North, Shropshire. SY7 8AU Tel 01 588 680 666
Mary Humphreys