That shop you see on his site is where he used to own and run a plywood company. He has a modern shop on the other side.
Well, I like the sound of both resonator and open back banjos. May as well have both. Love all Ukuleles. My most recent standard Uke was a Kamaka, and I was pretty disappointed in their gloss finish work. Seems like they would have that nailed down, by now. Plastic fret dots, too.