Nichols Wooden Banjo Armrest

 

I got acquainted with Rual Yarbrough several years before he died. Rual was a well known banjo player, repairman, and builder. He lived around Mussel Shoals, Alabama and had a shop in Florence, Alabama where he cut hair and worked on instruments. Rual played banjo with many of the well known players. His banjo playing was included on about 20 or so recordings with Bill Monroe. He has played with Jim & Jesse, Lester Flatt, Jimmy Martin, and many others including Jake Landers with whom he played for many years.  I got acquainted with Rual through my banjo bridges.

He gave me a banjo armrest that he had designed and it gave me the idea for shaping a wooden armrest.

The one he gave me was made from the lower part of a traditional Gibson-style bracket and had a wooden top part on it.

The thing that interested me about this armrest was the angle and shape of the wooden part. It was made in a manner that was more arm-friendly than the metal ones. It was sloped and it fit your arm. I still have it and I designed my armrests based on this comfortable angle.

There are some folks who are allergic to metal and the wooden armrest seems to help. After playing a banjo with this wooden armrest, it would be hard for me to go back to the cold hard edge of a traditional one.

I made some which required drilling and threading the tension hoop in order to attach them. Most folks wouldn’t want to do this and I understand.

The next style I made required removing 2 of the j-hook brackets and replacing them with 2 stainless steel threaded rods and nuts. These hold the armrest and go into the same place where the brackets did. The brackets naturally should be put in your banjo case so they could go back on your banjo whenever you want. I know these armrests aren’t for everybody, but I certainly like mine. Thanks, Rual, for that great idea.

Update August 28, 2017

I don’t believe in evolution of human beings, but things like this armrest seem to evolve over time. I recently revised these armrests to be attached without ANY modifications to your banjo. I designed a new bracket for the attachment. The bracket is made from polished 1/8 inch thick aluminum. It does not perfectly match the color of nickel plating, but it looks fine to me. Pictures of the new design are below. We will sell them if you are interested. The color and wood will be your choice. They are finished in lacquer. They are a hand made, custom designed, quality product and they are not cheap. If you are looking for a cheap armrest, this is probably not for you. The price is $75.00 including shipping in the U.S.A. You can email me for further information.

ronnienichols48@gmail.com