Different Strummer

Banjos

Bart Reiter

Hand made open back banjos from Michigan. Bart started as a repairman and began to copy the classic Vega open back banjos. He now has a full line of models. His banjos are very popular on the old time circuit. Great craftsmanship and tone. Our favorite is the Whyte Laydie.

Click to visit Bart Reiter online.

Deering

Deering makes a full line of bluegrass banjos out of California. Top notch workmanship and bell like tone have made Deering popular on the bluegrass stages of America. Deering also owns the Vega name and makes open back Vega models.

Click to visit Deering online.

Enoch

Kevin Enoch is well known for his high end inlay work, but is growing a reputation for his Dobson inspired open back banjos. These banjos are the ultimate in simplicity, and feature the tone that an old time banjo should have. Steel string and nylon available, in fretted and fretless. The fretless nylon string has the most haunting tone!

Click to visit Enoch Instruments online.

Gold Star

Crafted in China, the Goldstar GF100 is a top notch bluegrass contender that rivals the very Gibson Mastertone after which it is patterned. At several thousand dollars less, I might add. A great bluegrass machine!

Click to visit Gold Star online.

Gold Tone

Goldtone is our favorite line of banjos. They make everything, from student and rental models to professional grade instruments in open back, resonator, four- five- and six-string, and electric models. They also make mandolins and ukuleles. Good values, excellent tone, wide selection.

Click to visit Gold Tone online.

Nechville

These unusual banjos come to us from Minnesota. Innovative, and different than any other banjo out there. Come in and we'll show you how Tom creates these great sounding banjos. Best known for bluegrass models and the electric Meteor.

Click to visit Nechville online.

Ome

Our friend Chuck Ogsbury has been making Ome banjos (formally Ode) in Colorado since the '60s. His continual quest for tone has resulted in some of the best banjos we have ever seen or heard here at the store. Both open back and bluegrass models are available.

Click to visit Ome online.

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TWO LOCATIONS

Lincoln Square

4544 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, 773.751.3398

Mon - Thu, 10am - 9pm
Fri - Sun, 10am - 5pm

Lincoln Park

909 West Armitage Avenue
Chicago, 773.751.3410

Mon - Thu, 10am - 9pm
Fri - Sat, 10am - 5pm
Sun, 11am - 4pm

Click for directions.

Old Town School Recordings

We've got our very own recording label! Several CDs are now available featuring our talented teachers and other friends of the school. Available at Bloodshot Records, the iTunes Store, Amazon.com, and both of our Different Strummer music stores.

Click for more about Old Town School Recordings.