This site is dedicated to my great-great grandfather, John
Clamp.
John Clamp, who was a Cabinet Maker by trade for
most of his life, turned to making Banjos sometime between 1881 and 1891 when he was in his late 40s-early
50s. I discovered this by chance whilst tracing my family tree, and have been trying to find out information about this
part of his life for some time, but apart from a mention on an A-Z of Banjo Makers, which was a great confirmation of
my discovery and gave me a bit of information, I couldn't find anything.
That is, until recently, when I saw an episode of Antiques Roadshow,
where a Banjo marked 'J Clamp - Newcastle on Tyne' was brought in, and I finally managed to see one of his instruments.
It is generally thought that he made around 30 instruments.
Whilst researching, I have discovered that one of his daughters, Cissy Clamp, was a banjo
player and teacher and she also performed on stage with her
" celebrated banjo solos and dances ".
