The LouZee® Banjo

Right Here! Right Now!

designed by Mike Longworth, David Hopkins and Paul Hopkins

All models have an inlay design by Mike Longworth and a tone ring specially designed for the LouZee Banjo by David and Paul Hopkins, which is fitted to a custom Tony Pass wood rim. We do not offer inlay designs or tone rings associated with any other brands.

The LouZee Banjo is the culmination of the many years of experience of David and Paul Hopkins and Mike Longworth, who was associated with C.F. Martin, Inc.™ for many years.

Each LouZee banjo is personally assembled by David and/or Paul Hopkins. The banjos are adjusted, inspected and played by David or Paul Hopkins before being made available for sale.

Mike was the historian of the C.F. Martin™ guitar company. He was also one of their most gifted inlay designers. Part of Mike's background was that during the folk music boom of the 1960's, geniune Martin D-45 guitars were highly prized and extremely difficult to come by. Mike's incredible inlay skills converted many D-28's into D-45's. Some say that Martin hired him so that they could reap the benefits of his skills. No matter what the truth about this was, it was a great arrangement.

The LouZee banjo was the last inlay pattern that Mike designed.

Mike passed away on January 22, 2003, but the LouZee Banjo lives on, according to his wishes.

David and Paul Hopkins have been building banjos for many years. They own many historically significant pre-war instruments. Their knowledge of banjo construction and tone ring manufacturing is second to none. They have been responsible for designing some of the most popular banjo tone rings currently available.

For more information about David Hopkins, Paul Hopkins and their involvement with Mike Longworth and the banjo, please see Banjo Newsletter, Volume XXXII, number 9, July 2005.

The official "roll-out" of the LouZee banjos took place at the International Bluegrass Music Association Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, October, 2003.

No banjo is a Genuine LouZee Banjo without the Official Trademark, the unique LouZee Lyre.

Have a LouZee day!

David Hopkins
Paul Hopkins

D P Hopkins, Inc.
3563 Highway 231 North
Shelbyville, TN 37160
phone: 931-580-5742
e-mail: phopkins@united.net.

LouZee® and the LouZee Lyre Logo are trademarks of D P Hopkins®, Inc.

Specifications subject to change according to availablity of parts supplied by third party suppliers.