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warx - Posted - 02/06/2026: 15:20:49
Hi,
Looking at building something like the Eric Prust fretless (not tacks), 26” scale nylgut 5 string (minstrel set) but left-handed. The one thing I’d like to skip is steam forming the pot. I see some nice rim blanks from Nordic Shells in 11” and 12” but was hoping to go 13”. Looking at thin 6-9mm thickness rim only and make a brass tension hoop to add just a little heft since there is no tone ring under skin.
If I stick with 12” I can easily get Remo heads for it in case the skin ones get frustrating although I’m generally in the dryness of the west coast.
I’m an upright and fretless bass and ukulele player, but have a small Magic Fluke firefly banjo as well as several banjoleles that I play clawhammer style as well as bluegrass picking.
Thanks in advance!
Mike.
TheLastWord - Posted - 02/06/2026: 18:14:48
No clue on 13", but Smakula sells 12".
warx - Posted - 02/07/2026: 07:35:01
Thanks! Sort of feel like I’m pinning myself in a corner at 13”. However, I suppose I can try it and worst case I can build a 12” later. I feel that extra 1” with slack nylgut strings could make a nice difference - or maybe I’d not notice!!
jbalch - Posted - 02/07/2026: 11:29:39
I love the sound and feel of my Nashville Banjo Co. 13" (Governor model) - "The Proctor" It has become my go-to instrument. Dave Dillard built this for me using old mahogany wood salvaged form my mother-in-law's kitchen cabinets. The project is documented in photos here: The Proctor banjo
I also have a 13" grain measure (tackhead) By Jeff Menzies. It is a killer banjo. The very thin goat hide head has remained stable since the banjo was brand new. The Menzies has a cool sound! It is very responsive. Notes "jump" off the head. In fairness, this banjo hangs in my studio/office. It is not carried out much at all (in wide ranging humidity).
I'm biased toward hide heads. (But I don't offer pre-mounted 13" pre-mounted heads - so this is not a sales pitch). I find that the maintenance is often overstated or misunderstood. I very rarely adjust the tension. But when I do, it is really no more hassle than tuning the strings. IMHO the sound is definitely worthwhile - especially on large rim instruments.
warx - Posted - 02/09/2026: 13:45:18
These are beauties! Great inspiration. Thanks for posting them. Committing to 13" skin type heads. That way I can make them with my metal roller for the flesh and tension hoops. I love the look of the shallow 13" rim - maybe go for 2.5" or 3" depth max.
I’m getting my steam generator and some woods from Rockler this week. I hope there’s some good choices for the neck. Thinking mahogany to start with unless there’s some compelling curly maple.
Now I just need to decide on the type of mandrel for the bending. I like the Carver video with the notch slot and leather strap - although I’ll probably use some 20ga stainless steel I have laying about.
Edited by - warx on 02/09/2026 13:47:55
warx - Posted - 02/20/2026: 16:06:37
I have my neck roughed and my first rim bent.
Edited by - warx on 02/20/2026 16:08:50
warx - Posted - 02/20/2026: 16:10:14
Ugh picture upload fails 2 out of 3 times. Trying again.
spoefish - Posted - 03/13/2026: 20:11:29
I have a 12" tack head grain measure that Charles Waldman (Sonoma, CA) built a few years ago. It is all cherry with a rosewood fretboard and scroll peghead. It only weighs about 2 1/2 lbs. and was my first nylon string banjo. And I absolutely love it. Great sweet plunk and so easy to play. He did a great job of fitting the (goat?) skin head and I have no problem with it staying tight. Now and then it will be a bit loose but a quick meeting with an electric hair dryer and it is good to go. The first time I played it I understood Mike Seeger's Southern Banjo Sounds album. It was just life changing. And to make things even better, I found it in music store with about 500 used Korean etc. Fender guitars - teen-age heaven, and this banjo stuck way over in a corner. They were asking $250 and I felt bad when I talked them down to $200 and told them it was a toy banjo. Yikes. I will get some pictures posted in the morning. Definitely something everyone needs
spoefish - Posted - 03/13/2026: 20:51:57
I can't figure out how to add pictures to my previous post, so here is the Waldman, and the Waldman with my other two 12" banjos, a Lee and a Zach Hoyt
warx - Posted - 03/13/2026: 22:18:18
I love these! I did not know there was a builder so close in Sonoma
Looks like there’s a wooden tone rim in there. Might have to try that.
I realize now I need to make a second fretted version so am building more rims.
!
spoefish - Posted - 03/14/2026: 08:20:43
Yup wooden tone ring it is. I think all of his banjos are made that way. I think these days he is making banjos that are a little more conventional with a tension hoop. In fact I just bought my second Waldman - a used one from 2016 that had originally been sold by Gryphon down in Palo Alto. The new (to me) one has a 11" pot with a notched tension hoop and a conventional peghead. What is unique about it is that it is built from all local Sonoma county wood - black oak, claro walnut, madrone, and manzinita. Much brighter than the 12' but not at all harsh. It just got here and I have toget my bench cleaned off so I can do a proper set-up. Need to get some pictures later today. Cheers and good luck with your rim making. Tricky business, I remember 45 years ago when my son was trying to make bodhran rims, soaking wood in the bathtub.
