mikey5string - Posted - 03/09/2010:  19:01:07

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i play bluegrass banjo and recently i have had an overwhelming urge to play old time music. im not ready to swap my resonator banjo right now but i really want a nice openback to play clawhammer on.

i am an intermediate player. id like to have a decent open back. i really cant afford too much though. probably around $500. i thought about "making" my own. that is, buying a rim and a semi finished neck and doing the final finish work and putting it together myself.

for an old time banjo youd just need a rim, some shoes and j hooks, a tension hoop and head right?

i figure i could get all that for <200 and get semi finished neck with the remainder. i could probably download a peghead shape from the internet and do a simple star inlay.

is there a website that goes over the construction of an old time banjo? \

thanks

Jim D - Posted - 03/09/2010:  19:27:03

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quote:

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Originally posted by mikey5string
..... id like to have a decent open back. i really cant afford too much though. probably around $500. i thought about "making" my own. that is, buying a rim and a semi finished neck and doing the final finish work and putting it together myself. for an old time banjo you'd just need a rim, some shoes and j hooks, a tension hoop and head right?

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You don't want to forget tuners and a tail piece. If you go with planetaries figure $65.00 to $100.00 depending on what and where you buy them. The tail piece will run from $10.00 (No Knot copy) up to over $50.00.

Alternatively, you might take a look at Helix's banjos. His "Jackrabbit" is his entry level openback and it's in your price range.

Russ Cox - Posted - 03/09/2010:  19:32:34

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Hi Mike,

You can buy a kit and put it together yourself. I believe Stewmac.com and this site have them: http://www.instrumentalsavings.com/...ode=SA-OK-2. From what I've read, the reviews have been mixed on the quality and playability of the banjo. You can also make a gourd or cookie tin banjo from scratch. I am going to try and make both of them this summer.

You can use your resonator banjo for clawhammer.

Russ

chip arnold - Posted - 03/09/2010:  19:54:23

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You don't want any kind of tone ring?
I suggest you listen to the sound files on Zepp's site and learn what banjos produce what tone. Also listen to the many OT sound files on the BHO. If you like something, you can communicate with the player and learn all about the banjo that made the sound you like.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/09/2010:  20:26:43

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No reason not to just play clawhammer on your Mastertone. Julio Boysenberry posted this link to a great video that has, among other things, the legendary Don Stover playing some clawhammer on his Mastertone-style banjo. The film is well worth your half-hour. http://www.folkstreams.net/film,183

R Buck - Posted - 03/09/2010:  20:28:51

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I like a Bacon tone ring, a rolled brass tone ring, or a woody tone rim for old time. Chip is right listen to a variety of banjo sounds. Old time has a greater range of tones than bluegrass. They are fun to explore.

RG - Posted - 03/09/2010:  22:20:00

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Mike-contact BHO member Bill Rickard (Will1717) for parts and you won't be disappointed...plus he sells a great customizable kit built around his Dobson tone ring that is an incredible bargain for the money...

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 03/09/2010:  23:25:03

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http://www.stewmac.com/banjo/old-time.html
I played both clawhammer & 2 finger styles on a resonator bluegrass banjo for 32 years before I bought an openback. I did take the resonator off a long time ago, because it was just too loud in the house with it on. Go ahead with what you have, and shop at your own pace. No need to rush, trying out all the banjoes you can find is one of lifes little pleasures.
As for building a banlo, a pot will likely cost you $300-$400. A neck, partly shaped will probably be in the neighborhood of $120- $170. Without the fingerboard, fretts,tuners, bridge, and attatching parts. Stwart-Macdonald doesn't sell a complete kit anymore, but they do have all the parts and a list of what you need. (See link above.)It just has to be ordered as separate parts. You might search the web for a mountain banjo kit, or look on The Hangout for a banjo building workshop, I think one was posted in the last couple of weeks. There are also a lot of web sites about building banjoes. A lot more work is involved in carving a neck from a piece of lumber, but it can save you some cash over buying a completed neck. Also, check the banjo articles in one of the Foxfire books. It might have been #5.
Paul

1four5 - Posted - 03/10/2010:  02:07:43

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Definately contact Helix. I built mine with a Helix rim and Goodtime neck for under $400 and it's turned out to be my favorite banjo. I even use it at our bluegrass jams while my professional bluegrass banjo hardely ever comes out anymore. Picture:
http://www.hangoutstorage.com/banjo...18632010.jpg

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Edited by - 1four5 on 03/10/2010 10:46:05

bangee boy - Posted - 03/10/2010:  02:23:59

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Hey Folks, How do think a 70's - 80's Alaraze Silver Princess open back would fit Mickey5strings's search? Some even came with a resonator that could be attached for bluegrass when you wanted to switch styles.....???

rudy - Posted - 03/10/2010:  05:32:09

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Hi mikey5string,

You'll get a lot more opinions and information if you post your question over in the building/setup section.

Take a little time when evaluating what you want and you'll end up with a banjo that you won't be swapping for something more to your liking further down the line.
Here's a link to a discussion of the Rickard Dobson kit with lots of assembly information. I'd recommend you go that route if you have limited experiance with building and you want to end up with a good instrument at a fair price.
You may also want to check my homepage for additional building information.

http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...&whichpage=1

mikey5string - Posted - 03/10/2010:  07:11:53

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thanks everyone.

i found something i really like. nice and simple and pretty inexpensive.

the #26 here

http://www.calkinsbanjos.com/Calkin...penback.html

i checked out the dobson kit as well. that seems like a nice deal. i think its between these two.

FScholle - Posted - 03/10/2010:  07:53:19

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I think Nate does very nice work. One thing you might want to ask him about if you go that route is how much an upgrade to planetary tuners would be. I noticed he lists grover friction tuners on the page in the link you posted. I think those would be fine with nylon or nylgut strings but might get a tad frustrating with steel strings. Just my opinion.

Jim D - Posted - 03/10/2010:  08:55:56

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Please note that Nate's #26 is an A Scale banjo... as Seinfield would say, "not that there's anything wrong with that".

You may find the "standard" scale more versatile if you are going to occasionally play bluegrass on it.

chip arnold - Posted - 03/10/2010:  10:58:14

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I never met an A scale banjo that wouldn't comfortably tune to G or C. But I'd sure not want those direct drive tuners. Get planetary tuners by all means.

harvey - Posted - 03/10/2010:  11:07:38

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It's a 25" scale, which is fine for tuning to G or C (I'd rather describe it as a short(er) scale than an A-scale).

But Chip's reservations about the tuners are justified, IMO

Jim D - Posted - 03/10/2010:  12:06:58

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quote:

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Originally posted by harvey

It's a 25" scale,

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Actually, it's a 23 1/2" scale.