The Great British banjo manufacturer, on a mission to revive an industry
Norwich, Norfolk, UK (PRWEB UK) 5 July 2013 -- The Great British Banjo Company, the UK's only production banjo manufacturer, has launched its new website http://www.thegreatbritishbanjocompany.com offering online ordering for customers anywhere in the world.
The online shop which went live on July 4th, sells the company's own British-made banjos, as well as unique banjo-related clothing and gifts, plus a selection of banjo accessories from the world's leading brands.
The company is unique in manufacturing banjos in the UK on a production level, which has not happened for many decades.
"A handful of other craft makers produce banjos to bespoke order in the UK, but nobody has manufactured here in proper numbers for many, many years," said founder and managing director Simon Middleton.
"There are several brands which have British sounding names, and which even say 'London' on the headstock, but they are all actually manufactured in China. When we say made in Britain, we actually mean made in Britain. We're on a mission to revive a formerly great British industry," Middleton added.
The company's first instrument, the limited edition Islander Ash Leaf openback banjo, which retails at £1999.95 was launched last year and has been highly praised by some of the world's leading players.
Clawhammer legend Dan Levenson, leading Nashville banjoist Bob Minner, and Britain's top bluegrass player Leon Hunt, have all praised the Islander Ash Leaf's tone, quality and character.
Bob Minner, who plays banjo for country mega-star Tim McGraw was so impressed that he immediately became an endorsing artist for The Great British Banjo Company, whilst Dan Levenson is representing the British company in the USA.
In June this year, The Great British Banjo Company announced plans to launch a second instrument, The Shackleton banjo, designed to be much more affordable at a projected retail price in the UK of just £299.
"The Shackleton is the people's banjo for the new era in which the banjo is being picked up by hip young people who are fans of bands like Mumford & Sons, as well as older players looking for an affordable high-quality instrument to learn on. It's a great beginner's instrument and a great festival and outdoor instrument too," said Middleton.
The Shackleton is named after British explorer Ernest Shackleton, who famously rescued a banjo from his sinking ship the Endurance on his Antarctic expedition of 1915, saying: "We must have that banjo. It is vital mental medicine!"
The Great British Banjo Company Ltd is a Norfolk-based company privately owned by a small team of family and friends.
In December 2011, the business launched http://www.banjosdirect.co.uk an online retailer of imported banjos, which rapidly grew to become the UK's best-known banjo specialist store.
Now the company will run its two websites aimed at different parts of the banjo market.
"Banjos Direct is aimed at every kind of banjo player, mainly in the UK market. On that site we sell the superb GoldTone banjos range which we import from Florida, USA," Simon Middleton explained.
"But the new site for The Great British Banjo Company is focused on our British-made banjos and is aimed at an international as well as UK audience," Middleton added.
The Great British Banjo Company along with Banjos Direct, is based in Norwich, Norfolk. The company works with local craftsmen as well as instrument manufacturers in other parts of Britain.
Company Information:
The Great British Banjo Company Limited, which also owns online specialist store Banjos Direct, is based in Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
The privately owned business was founded by brand adviser, business author and musician Simon Middleton and has grown rapidly to become the UK's best known banjo specialist retailer and manufacturer.
For further information visit: http://www.thegreatbritishbanjocompany.com
Simon Middleton, The Great British Banjo Company, http://www.thegreatbritishbanjocompany.com, 01603 305800, [email protected]
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