Banjo manufacturer moves operation

Last updated 2/6/2024 at 10:27am

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Tom Nechville and Linda Leavitt have become an integral part of Sisters' music scene.

Tom Nechville announced today that Nechville Musical Products (NMP) will wrap up manufacturing operations in Minnesota at the end of February, completing the last phase of Nechville's long-planned relocation to Sisters. The relocation of the manufacturing operation will enable Tom to consolidate all Nechville operations in his hometown of Sisters.

In 2020, Nechville finalized the purchase of his new Nechville company headquarters in Sisters. While managing NMP, Tom remodeled the building, and with his partner, Linda Leavitt, opened a retail sales shop, Nechville Banjos West, offering banjo repair, lessons, events, workshops and a music community gathering place. Ever since Tom arrived in Central Oregon, customers have regularly made the trek to Sisters from Seattle, Portland, the Bay Area and from other far-flung places to visit Tom and Nechville Banjos.

Central Oregon is home to an increasing population of musical instrument builders and musicians. Nechville's connection to Central Oregon runs deep. His father Ed moved to the area during the 90's, where he manufactured banjo bridges for Nechville. That's when Tom started envisioning his eventual relocation to the area.

Since his move to Oregon, Nechville has become an active force in the Oregon Bluegrass Association and a sponsor of the Sisters Folk Festival. Tom and Linda Leavitt host a monthly jam at his Sisters shop. Touring musicians regularly stop by the Nechville Banjo Kitchen to pick with Tom and to record video for his YouTube series, "Live From The Banjo Kitchen," including Never Come Down, The Kruger Brothers and Slocan Ramblers.

"Sisters provides an ideal physical and creative climate for the manufacture of musical instruments, as well as a supportive business climate tailored to artisans," Nechville said. "Sisters is the home of Sisters Folk Festival, which produces two annual music festivals and monthly music events. Our building is located a half block from Preston Thompson Guitars, which builds guitars for a long list of fine musicians, including Molly Tuttle, Peter Rowan and Billy Strings."

For more information about Nechville Banjos visit https://www.nechville.com and https://banjoswest.com.