seedersinstruments

[seedersinstruments]

Exciting news for Seeders Instruments! A little back story first. This spring I almost made a move to Easthampton, MA to setup my own shop space and live in an area with more happening than rural Southwest Vermont. When I was days away from signing leases and committing to the move I spoke with my father in depth about his plans. Over the winter he realized it was time for him to take a step back from his business @dorsetcustomfurniture and mostly retire. This gave me a choice of whether to go or stay. It was a tough decision to make for many reasons but also a very natural and easy one to decide to stick it out in here in Dorset, VT. At the end of the day it made much more sense to invest into my family that has given me so much support over the years than anyone and anywhere else. Now for the big news! My fathers decision is giving me the opportunity to expand my workspace and take over the majority of the shop where I currently work out of a small upstairs corner. He’ll still be working in part of the shop doing his thing when and how he wants but without the worries of a lot of the overhead and keeping three employees busy and paid. I’ll be moving my main workspace downstairs where there’s way more room than I’m used to and lots of natural light. Part of the upstairs will be turned back into an apartment where I’ll also be living. This means a crazy amount of shuffling things around, cleaning, organizing, and renovating which has already started (some evidence of this in the photos). This will slow me down quite a bit for the next couple months but it’ll be a major step forward for my business. I can’t thank my father and mother enough for all the hard work they’ve put into building such an amazing environment for our whole family to be creative in. For those that don’t know my brother @sammovt Is a metal worker who’s shop is across the driveway and where I have my metal and spinning lathe. It feels amazing to be able to help give my father some of the well deserved freedom coming his way after this project is finished. (at Seeders Instruments) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnW_YHRlad_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jlyy7ue2b0ao

[seedersinstruments]

Added a guitar style end graft detail to Hilary Hawke‘s banjo which is a detail I’ve been wanting to try out for years now. I have other plans to bring some guitar building techniques to banjo construction and this is only the beginning of that dream. (at Seeders Instruments) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJeKyHF5PB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13pzof0wiw7st

[seedersinstruments]

Inlay engraving from the past. This inlay adorns the peg head of Seeders no. 41 that is owned and played by the talented Carling Berkhout. https://www.instagram.com/p/BnG_ywqlMnV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=103dv6r215z19

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I love getting the chance to recreate another style of art with inlay and engraving. These inlays were created and inspired by a friend of @highatmissphere - Nancy Hunt and were originally block prints she had made. Hilary had a layout in mind and using her ideas and the original prints I created these inlays. So much fun collaborating on these kinds of projects! // #banjo #luthier #inlay #engraving #handengraved #handengraving #blockprint #inlay #art (at Seeders Instruments) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm_ZP5gFjTm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mszvlwarw61p

[seedersinstruments]

My friend Greg @buckeyebanjos who makes these great tailpieces I use ran out of nickel ones. I was in need so I pulled out the plating setup and did some quick plating. It’s always nice being able to do almost anything I need to do in house. I enjoy being as self sufficient as possible. // #banjo #luthier #nickelplating #plating #hardware #diy (at Seeders Instruments) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmywzOWlgFB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18uwflxlizex3

[seedersinstruments]

Seeders No. 037 is back in the shop for a little tune up. Always nice to see my previous work and see how it’s holding up. // #banjo #luthier #clawhammerbanjo #seedersinstruments #oldtimebanjo #engraving #handengraving #engraved (at Seeders Instruments) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmwAoHvlfF2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1obudruxl02te

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A post shared by Will Seeders (@seedersinstruments)

Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves was the perfect way to start Sunday morning @greenmountainbluegrass . Here they are playing Hobart Smith’s ‘Wabash Blues’. @allison_de_groot is playing my personal 12” Seeders Dobson Special banjo. // #gmbr #banjo #clawhammerbanjo #oldtimebanjo #seedersinstruments @dragonfiddler https://www.instagram.com/p/Bms5rTLFcqk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1frt3w4qxvyh6

[seedersinstruments]

11” Cherry banjo for @highatmissphere us coming along nicely! Next up is engraving the block print designs into the mother of pearl bird, wing, and flower inlays. // #banjo #luthier #pearl #handmade #maker #woodworking (at Seeders Instruments) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmgU8dcFhdy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sar8hf1aofew

[seedersinstruments]

Got my hands on my first @prewarguitars instrument today. Based on a 30’s Martin OM with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. A friend brought it in for a strap button. An amazing sounding guitar with what they call level 3 distressing. I’m not always a fan of distressed instruments but this was beautifully done and really looks the way it should. The tone and playability was where it really shines. These guys really cracked the code on prewar Martin mojo. // #luthier #guitar #prewarguitar #martinguitar #guitarrepair #tonefordays (at Seeders Instruments)

[seedersinstruments]

Finished up pairing this beautiful Doug Unger neck with an original double spun (clad with metal inside and out) Dobson rim a couple weeks ago. The neck was on a different rim originally and it needed a new dowel stick and a neck set to fit the new rim. The neck features one of my favorite carvings I’ve seen from Doug as well as a classy faux tortoise slotted peghead. I had some custom @robsontuners made for it to fit the existing holes and couldn’t be happier with how smooth and accurate they are, they look great as well! The short scale neck on the heavy 11” Dobson rim has a great sound and is very comfortable to play. // #banjo #luthier #dougunger #engraving #carving #restoration #repair #woodworking (at Seeders Instruments)

[seedersinstruments]

A mother of pearl bird cut for @highatmissphere new banjo in the works. @leahspig helped me find a piece in my stash that had some cool figure that kind of resembles feathers which I was able to get on the wing and body. // #banjo #luthier #inlay #motherofpearl #bird #maker (at Seeders Instruments)

[seedersinstruments]

The W.A. Cole Eclipse banjo features a fairly unique tone ring setup which is basically a Little Wonder style tone ring sitting on pins. Some also had a steel band imbedded into the rim that those pins sat on after passing through the wood or the rim. I emulate that minus the steel band in the rim. It makes for a strong, balanced, and present tone that cuts through a group well without overpowering other instruments. // #banjo #luthier #woodworking #custom #handmade #maker @highatmissphere (at Seeders Instruments)

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Striped Ebony peghead with hand engraved Mother of Pearl inlay on no. 072 // #banjo #luthier #engraving #handengraving #woodworking #openbackbanjo #maker #handmade (at Seeders Instruments)

[seedersinstruments]

No. 073 came back for a couple days to get some upgrades before heading to the new owner. Added a dyed calf skin head and an antiqued bronze tailpiece from @buckeyebanjos // #banjo #luthier #custom #handmade #maker #custombanjo (at Seeders Instruments)

[seedersinstruments]

Zircote heel and rim cap on no. 070 with sapwood accents. // #banjo #luthier #woodworking #custom #handmade #maker #guitar #custombanjo (at Seeders Instruments)

[seedersinstruments]

The figure of the Curly Maple on this recent 11” Dobson Special banjo was quite exceptional. It was sold in less than 24 hours by @themusicemporium // #banjo #luthier #woodworking #curlymaple #custombanjo #handmade #maker (at Seeders Instruments)

[seedersinstruments]

The tunneled fifth string exit on no. 069. The Quilted Cuban Mahogany was from my friend @ruffalleybanjos personal wood stash. This wood was harvested over 50 years ago and figure like this is particularly rare. A special piece of wood for a special banjo. // #banjo #luthier #woodworking #custom (at Seeders Instruments)