Banjo Making
Willis, VA
Photo: Pat Jarrett/Virginia Humanities
Mac Traynham of Floyd County became interested in handmade instruments in 1975 when he commissioned a friend to build him a Gibson RB-100 copy on which to play a three-finger style of bluegrass and other experimental music. He became even more interested after commissioning (the now legendary) guitar maker Wayne Henderson to build him a Martin D-28 style guitar in 1976. Being attracted to beautiful woods and a serious player of Southwest Virginia-style clawhammer banjo music, Traynham built his first banjo in 1978 using recycled birdseye maple flooring that had been made previously into a door. During the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, he continued to make banjos and was part of an instrument makers seminar at the 1981 National Folk Festival. Being interested in all aspects of instrument making and playing, he visited the workshops of many of the region’s renowned instrument makers, including Olen Gardner, Kyle Creed, Arthur Conner, Albert Hash, and Wayne Henderson, receiving advice and insight along the way. Over the years, Traynham has experimented with classical tone designs and is known for making beautiful banjos that have superior tone. Since the late 1970s, Traynham has built over 160 instruments for players all over the world—even as far as Tasmania.
He has also participated in the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program twice as a mentor artist and master musician. In 2009-10, he trained Robert Browder in clawhammer banjo and in 2021-22, Ashlee Watkins apprenticed with Traynham in old-time rhythm guitar. While Traynham is an accomplished banjo, guitar, and fiddle player, he is also an incredibly supportive musician towards his fellow players. If there’s an instrument missing in a jam, Trayhnam will fill in the gap, explaining: “Whatever it takes to make good music!” Traynham will be in Instrument Maker’s Workshop in the Virginia Folklife Area Saturday and Sunday and part of the Instrument Maker’s Jam on Sunday on the Center for Cultural Vibrancy and Virginia Folklife Stage.