Welcome to Bad River
Authentic banjos of character & distinction, crafted by hand in the old-time tradition.
Singular Focus
Every Bad River Banjo is built one-at-a-time at a deliberate pace. It’s a process that’s slower than most, with exacting standards and a dedication to craftsmanship and playability.
Enduring Design
A timeless aesthetic is applied to each Bad River Banjo — in the spirit of handmade instruments of the past — with a shared appreciation for line, contour and character.
Traditional Methods
Bad River Banjos are slow crafted in the old-time tradition, using historical methods and hand tools from the late 19th and early 20th century.
About the Maker
Paul Corrigan
Artist, Designer, Storyteller & Banjoneer
My passion for banjos began the moment I plucked my first string.
I had the privilege of learning to play authentic old time music by ear from a fiddle player who specialized in regional styles from the Carolinas and Kentucky.
At the beginning of each lesson, he would play a tune on his fiddle and ask me to create a complementary arrangement on the banjo. It was challenging at first. But it taught me to think and play like he did — and like so many before him.
I apply this respect for tradition and historic nuance to every banjo I make. No two banjos are alike. They each have their own character and story. But they all share a common affinity for craftsmanship, playability and attention to detail.
My goal in life is to create things that endure. That goes for the music I play, the banjos I make and the relationships I build.
