In my spare time I'm usually to be found playing banjo or walking in the local hills in the company of  Matokie, a Welsh sheepdog who spends our work hours snoozing under a workbench in my shop.

I started learning to make and repair musical instruments in 2009 and it has been in one way or another my full time occupation ever since.

I enrolled as a mature student to do a year long course in musical instrument making at London Metropolitan university, which eventually became a bachelor's degree, gaining a first class degree with honours in 2011.

I opened up my own workshop in East London, and for the next five years I worked professionally as a repairer but also making a few guitars and banjos for people.

will howson playing a banjo he made as a banjo luthier

Then in 2016 I made a trip to the states and for three months hitchhiked and Greyhounded with my banjo from New York to New Orleans to North Carolina and Virginia to Ithaca and back.

During that time I was lucky enough to track down and spend time with a couple of my favourite musicians, Frank Lee who hired me to paint his kitchen and Richie Stearns who I got to take a couple of trips with and hangout, I also got to spend time with several of my favourite makers, Greg Galbreth, Jeff Delfeild and Mac Traynham which was very inspiring.

Throughout the three months I got to play a lot of really nice banjos, I was introduced to Peter Szego and he very kindly gave me a personal tour of his famous collection and I made a friend Mike in Asheville who has a small but amazing collection of modern luthier made banjos that up to that point I had just seen pictures of.

That whole experience really made a huge impression on me, and on what I felt was a good banjo, tonally and on a visual and tactile level.

On my return I moved the workshop to Shropshire and have focused on making the best sounding banjos I can.

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Explore my range of handcrafted banjos made in the UK.

5 String Banjos
Tenor Banjo

Customer Testimonials

"I have two of Will's banjos and both are works of art in terms of craftsmanship and tone. When you consider the potential for custom options (I love super-chunky necks) and Will's own finely honed sense of aesthetics, ordering a banjo from Will becomes a no-brainer! He is a very easy person to deal with and is passionate about what he does, something which shows the minute you pluck that first glorious note!"

Martin Back

"After a few conversations about my concepts, he transformed what was a vague picture in my mind into a beautiful reality. His inlay work really sets this instrument apart, and now I have it hanging on my wall so I can grab it at any time and to show it off when people come over."

Daniel Wheeldon

"As a fiddle player I asked Will to make me a 17 fret short scale open back tenor banjo so I could play using my fiddle fingering. The result is a stunning instrument with a wooden tone ring and understated brass fittings which plays beautifully with a loud but mellow tone. My wife loves the look and sound of it which is a further plus point! Will is a pleasure to deal with and a true craftsman to boot. Get in quick and order one now and I promise you will not be disappointed."

Phil Jackson

"I'm delighted with my Howson, it's my go to, everyday banjo. 12" cherry pot, ebony tone ring, goat hide head, brass hardware. I have a few others, including antique banjos from some of the best American makers. It's the Howson that I reach for most. Check out my videos on YouTube at Cerddoriaeth Fynyddig / Mountain Music. Most of those include my Howson."

Andy Taylor

"I often think that looking at a banjo is like looking at food because firstly it has to appeal to the eye and that is how I felt the first time I saw the fretless banjo I bought from WGF Howson Instruments. Not only does it sound great but when I’m not playing it, it stands in my room like a piece of art."

Tat Taylor