The mission of the Banjo Rehabilitation Center is to restore vintage banjos for resale to entry level pickers on eBay at bargain basement prices. To this end, the BRC workshop has devised the Peace Dove I and II series of 5-stringers. 
These hybrids are comprised of a new stock neck with signature MOP inlays and a vintage pot preferably 50 to 90 years old to provide a seasoned wooden tone.
The Slingerlands Banjo Co. made tenor, mandolin, and ukulele banjos in Chicago from 1923 to 1928 shortly before the family owners decided to convert their enterprise to manufacturing only drums. This was the pre-techno era of hand-crafted instrument building.
A lost art form in woodworking, the Slingerlands banjo rims were made of a single piece of wood that was steamed and rolled into circular pot with an overlapping junction (note the pointers tracing the bird`s-eye maple seam).
The Gretsch Co.manufactured the unique Clarophone banjo in Brooklyn, NY, from 1922 to 1928. Although the gilded Broadcaster banjo was made by Gretsch in the 1930`s, electric guitars became a company priority in 1939. 
The Clarophone pot had a non removable resonator, and sound portholes were stationed around the rim.
Despite this somewhat enclosed sound chamber, its conversion Peace Dove banjo had surprising volume.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something Blue-grass…
P.S. Have a grand Leap Year.
But, it`s mostly mighty good fun and fellowship, and the BRC founder thanks his band “Gainor & Friends” for over 20 years of pickin` and grinnin` to benefit the Children`s Hospital. Since 1995, this ensemble of musicians has donated over $17K in gig tips and fees to the Children`s Miracle Network.
