In the late  1950’s we learn of Art Gariepy of 46 East Market Street, Long Beach, California, USA, making high end banjos with ornate carved heels and peg heads  and high decorated resonators.

Trading as Gariepy Banjos, in 1962, he announced that he had taken over “the manufacture of van Eps classical flush fret banjos” but within three years he sold out to the Fender Co.  and started to produce banjos for them.

Images courtesy of Carl Schilt