Crafters of Tennessee Banjos — Handmade American Flatheads by Mark Taylor (1977-2012)
Crafters of Tennessee was a small-batch American banjo maker founded by Mark Taylor in Tennessee, producing handmade professional-grade flathead banjos from 1977 until approximately 2012. Mark Taylor is the son of Tut Taylor, the internationally renowned vintage instrument collector and dobro artist. These instruments feature Tennessee 20 flathead tone rings, premium curly maple, and craftsmanship that rivals banjos costing significantly more. Available at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Crafters of Tennessee banjos are undervalued relative to their quality — partly due to the company’s closure and limited name recognition compared to major brands. Players who own them consistently praise their professional-grade tone and craftsmanship. These instruments typically sell for $1,500-$2,500 on the used market, a fraction of what comparable new banjos cost.
Call Geoff at (404) 218-8580 to discuss our current Crafters of Tennessee inventory.
Watch: Crafters of Tennessee Banjos
The Crafters of Tennessee Story
Mark Taylor grew up immersed in bluegrass music, attending schoolhouse shows featuring Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and the Foggy Mountain Boys in the 1960s. This early exposure to bluegrass legends, combined with his father Tut Taylor’s expertise in vintage instruments and work alongside master craftsmen like Randy Wood and Bob Givens, gave Mark the foundation to build world-class instruments.
After Tut moved to Pigeon Forge in 1977, Mark continued building instruments under the Crafters of Tennessee name, focusing on quality over quantity. Rather than pursuing large-scale factory production, Mark maintained a small workshop with skilled craftspeople, building custom instruments for individual artists and discerning players.
The Workshop
The Crafters of Tennessee shop employed highly skilled craftspeople with decades of combined experience. Doug Spencer specialized in resonator guitars and banjos. Rhonda Vanatta brought 15 years of experience (formerly with Gibson), handling binding, neck preparation, and elaborate engraving. Chris Bozung, a master craftsman with architectural millwork background, was known for detail, perfection, and deep knowledge of instrument construction.
This small, dedicated team built instruments one at a time, allowing them to be responsive to individual customer needs and artist specifications.
In short: Crafters of Tennessee banjos deliver professional-grade American craftsmanship — Tennessee 20 flathead tone rings, premium curly maple, small-batch quality — at used market prices that make them exceptional values for serious bluegrass players.
Sound and Construction
Crafters of Tennessee flathead banjos deliver authentic bluegrass tone with bright, articulate highs and excellent note separation. Full, growling bass response adds depth and power. The Tennessee 20 flathead tone ring was modeled after prewar nickel flathead rings, delivering vintage tone character. Premium curly maple on necks, pots, and resonators. Full nickel flanges and professional-grade hardware throughout. Vintage-style mother-of-pearl inlays.
Many players compare Crafters of Tennessee banjos favorably to instruments in the $3,500-$5,000 range.
Models
Crafters of Tennessee produced several professional-grade banjo models. The Tennessee Classic Flathead was the flagship model featuring the Tennessee 20 tone ring, curly maple throughout, and professional appointments. The Mahogany Classic offered a warm-toned alternative with mahogany pot and traditional styling. The Classic Maple Deluxe was the top-of-the-line model with gold hardware and premium figured maple. Custom artist models were built to individual specifications.
Tennessee Top Tension — The Butch Robbins Model
Crafters of Tennessee also produced top tension banjos, including the Butch Robbins Model. Top tension banjos from this era are increasingly collectible for their massive sustain and aggressive cut.
Serial Numbers and Dating
In the late 1990s, Crafters of Tennessee used a six-digit, one-letter system. The first two digits represent the year of manufacture. For example, serial number 98T3016 indicates 1998 production. The “T” indicates Tennessee manufacture.
In the early 2000s, Crafters of Tennessee used a slightly different six-digit system. The last two digits represent the year of manufacture. For example, serial number 150504 indicates 2004 production.
Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse is located in Yellow Springs, Ohio with additional operations in Atlanta, Georgia. Owner Geoff Hohwald has over 50 years in the banjo business and is the author of The Banjo Primer. Every Crafters of Tennessee banjo in our inventory is thoroughly inspected, professionally set up by our banjo tech Tara, and ships free anywhere in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Crafters of Tennessee banjo?
Crafters of Tennessee was a small-batch American banjo maker founded by Mark Taylor (son of Tut Taylor) in Tennessee, operating from 1977 to approximately 2012. They produced handmade professional-grade flathead banjos featuring Tennessee 20 tone rings, premium curly maple, and craftsmanship that rivals much more expensive instruments.
Who was Tut Taylor?
Tut Taylor (1923-2015) was an internationally renowned dobro artist and vintage instrument collector. He worked alongside master craftsmen like Randy Wood and Bob Givens and was instrumental in preserving and promoting traditional American stringed instruments. His son Mark Taylor founded Crafters of Tennessee.
What is a Tennessee 20 tone ring?
The Tennessee 20 is Crafters of Tennessee’s flathead tone ring, modeled after prewar nickel flathead rings. It delivers authentic vintage tone character with bright, articulate highs and full bass response — the sound serious bluegrass players demand.
Are Crafters of Tennessee banjos still made?
No. Crafters of Tennessee ceased operations around 2012. These instruments are only available on the used market, which has made them increasingly collectible. Their limited production numbers and the company’s closure mean fewer instruments are available each year.
What are Crafters of Tennessee banjos worth?
Crafters of Tennessee banjos typically sell for $1,500-$2,500 on the used market — significantly less than comparable new professional-grade banjos. Many players consider them undervalued relative to their quality, making them exceptional opportunities for serious bluegrass players seeking American-made craftsmanship.
How do I date a Crafters of Tennessee banjo?
Check the serial number. Late 1990s instruments use a format where the first two digits indicate the year (e.g., 98T3016 = 1998). Early 2000s instruments use a format where the last two digits indicate the year (e.g., 150504 = 2004). The letter “T” in older serial numbers indicates Tennessee manufacture.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
Interested in a Crafters of Tennessee banjo? Call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580 or email thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com.
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