Working out of his shop in Maryland, Kevin Enoch draws inspiration from turn-of-the-century open-back banjos, while keeping modern playability, functionality, and refined tone at the forefront of his designs. Enoch's banjos are handmade, and each one reflects a deep respect for tradition paired with an artisan’s eye for detail, making them some of the finest open-backs available today.
The Enoch's Tradesman banjos are especially beloved among old-time players for their clean design, lightweight feel, and rich, mellow tone—all of course at a price that is easy to swallow for a high-quality handmade instrument. This 2008 Tradesman features a 12" rim and fretless fingerboard that pays homage to old-time Appalachian instruments of the 19th Century. It has a Dobson-style neck with an octagonal dowel stick and a scoop at the end of the fingerboard to facilitate clawhammer and frailing with a warmer sound. All around, this Tradesman feels like the perfect blend of simplicity and refinement.
This 2008 Enoch Tradesman Fretless show some minor signs of play and use (see photos), The worst are a few minor paint scuffs on the back edge of the rim. But all in all, this gently-used open-back banjo has a lot to offer. This one has Enoch's "Flush Fret" treatment, which is essentially markers inlaid into the fingerboard to make it easier to find note positions. On any fretless instrument, a little help on the fingerboard can go a long way.
This 2008 Enoch Tradesman Fretless plays nicely with manageable action, and it holds tune nicely. It has a 1-1/4" nut width, and it is currently set up with a 5/8" bridge. All of the parts and components are high quality, but the no-frills Tradesman concept keeps this banjo at a reasonable price. This Enoch Banjo includes its original Levy's gig bag.