Episode 28 Friendly Banjos

November 15, 2025

Friendly Banjos

Beginning Banjos for all ages! Banjos are the new Ukuleles

📍 Sheffield, MA

His website: https://www.friendlybanjos.com/ 

Thoughts and Reflections

This is a continuation of my previous episode, where I visited Magic Fluke! The team at Magic Fluke, makes the these instruments for Friendly Banjos.

I discovered Friendly Banjos from their viral Tik-Tok, and I bought one for my 3-year old Nephew. That's when Zack (of Friendly Banjos) and I started talking! I found out that he had teamed up Magic Fluke to help him build these banjos. It was by coincidence that in a few months I was going to go through Western Massachusetts (where Magic Fluke and Zack were at).

At the time I discovered it, I was coincidentally thinking about easier instrument-aquisition ideas. I had previously discovered the Loog Guitars, and had wanted to buy one for my Nephew, but changed my mind after I found the Friendly Banjos.

I visited my Nephew a few months after I sent it to him. He had not played it because he was lacking the hand-eye coordination to begin playing it. Anyways, I got a chance to visit him in Houston, and play this banjo a few weeks before I was due to Zack. You can see the result of our playings. 

The whole team at Friendly Banjos was amazing and kind, they have such a firm philosophy that I heavily support. I also love every instrument in their line up and really would like to buy every one of their instruments. It isn't often I can say that!

I regrettably didn't get a chance to chat with Hannah (their only non-family staff member at the moment) as much, who has been working there for a few years, especially because we have a shared and unrelated interest in tech theatre. And didn't get to speak with Josh, one of Ben/Phyliss' other son who is a huge part of the operation at Magic Fluke. 

Zack was eager to work with me, as being one of the early fans of the channel, and also passionate about getting his instrument out into the world. Out of all of the instrument makers I worked with, he was the most collaborative in the editing process of his episode. Not only do I believe in his mission, I am a strong advocate for his philosophy. And I HIGHLY urge parents to buy one of these for their kids. And classroom Music teachers (like myself), consider buying a set for your classroom. They are so much more intuitive to learn (for students) compared to the more common ukulele method.