What a treat to find all these comments about Frank and his banjos !! I didn't know all this existed. Let me tell you about mine. In 1961 I was a gred student at the U of I when the folk group had Frank as a guest performer..I believe it was a tour for Sandy. Anyway,my wife and I, along with another grad couple hosted Frank for supper that evening..I will never forget that night. Frank set my 18 mo old daughter up on the couch and got out his banjo and played tunes for her !!

I had just started to play the banjo, but was so taken by his music and his style, that he changed my life that night. Before he left he agreed to make me a banjo when he got back home. Several weeks later it arrived with a letter( I still have it) in which he explained that since he returned home he had been so busy that he hadn't had time to make the banjo he had promised, so he was sending his own !! the one he played on his tour !!!!! It is signed on the inside of the groundhog skin head.."personal banjo of Frank Proffitt, Reese NC". No need to tell you that it one of my prized posessions !

Over the years I have made many mountain dulcimers and Proffitt-style fretless banjos. I love playing my proffitt banjo and have told lots of people about how I came to have it. If you want to take a look at the ones I make, go to TRINITY GUITARS.COM and click on GILMAN FOLK INSTRUMRNTS.

Thanks for a fun read of all you comments,

Dick