Banjos Are Here!

I have all six banjos here now! We have one Deering and five Morgan Monroe banjos. A friend of mine from a jam session is a dealer for Morgan Monroe and was able to get us a really good deal! I got three that are open back with a frailing scoop and two resonator banjos. The Deering is an open back also, which they gave us at cost. I got them all set up and have been tinkering with some minor adjustments such as bridge placement. Now I just have to test drive them all to make sure they are ready for the students!

I also have all six cases for them. I had been looking online for a good sturdy case so that they won't get damaged during the baggage handling at the airports. I budgeted for about $130 dollars each, thinking that the ones I saw online for that price were good enough. After reading reviews online and doing my research, I realized I would need to get better cases and they were going to cost more than we had funds for. I was getting pretty discouraged but I kept looking and praying that I would find something.  I finally came across the Reunion Blues Continental case after someone on a bluegrass page suggested it. After reading the reviews and watching their "drop test" videos, I knew this was the case we needed. These cases were out of our price range, but I figured I would send them an email and see if they would be willing to donate some or give us a discount. The next day, I had an email from the company and they wanted to donate all six cases! These cases will be easy for the team to carry through the airport because they have a regular handle as well as backpack straps. 

I am so grateful for everyone who has been helping me with this project, whether it be financial support, prayer, helping me pick the banjos, troubleshooting the travel logistics or just listening to me ramble on about banjos and Uganda. My next step in preparation for the trip is to pick out what books and learning materials I want to get for the students. I'll also be listening to some of their music to see how I can make the banjo fit in to their style. This will be a fun challenge!