Geoff Stelling

Best known as the creator of the world’s ultimate banjo, Geoff Stelling became involved in bluegrass while attending UVA in 1961 and got really immersed in it while attending Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN from 1968-1971. He witnessed the grand opening of the Station Inn and picked with everyone involved in bluegrass at the time, mostly playing the bass because of the many talented banjo pickers. After moving to San Diego, Ca in 1971 he began playing the banjo for San Diego Grass and Eclectic and then Pacific-ly Bluegrass before starting the Hard Times in 1975. Stelling Banjo Works was officially launched in 1974. Playing and building banjos has been Geoff’s life ever since. Click here to read the full story of Stelling Banjo as featured in Bluegrass Unlimited--March 2005.