Hi,
I'm Tobi from germany, i started playing the 5-string banjo :)

ok the Question, where can i get painted banjo skins (i hope to found one with Confederate Flag)

Hope you can help me
(sry for my bad english)

Posted - 04/15/2009 :  12:05:40    

The only way I know of to get a painted banjo skin is to paint it yourself. If any are made already painted, I've never heard of them.

Let''s Pick!
Texas Banjo

Posted - 04/15/2009 :  12:07:54  

mmh, damn. could i get any acoustic deficits if i paint it ? :/

Posted - 04/15/2009 :  12:10:05        

Willkommen! Hab eine gute Zeit!

Mike Montgomery

4+1=Hootnanny!
O==''={::}

Posted - 04/15/2009 :  12:11:49  

Thank you :D n1 german skills :P

Posted - 04/15/2009 :  13:12:39            

Welcome, from one of Gustav Schroeckenthaller's great-grandsons.
If the flag is done with permanent markers, there should be almost no noticeable increase in the mass of the head, so the sound should be unaffected.

If you want something that won't rub off, get a CLEAR head, paint the flag on the INSIDE, and then spray WHITE automotive finish on the inside.
The important thing to remember, when reverse painting, is to do the foreground FIRST and the background LAST,

And if it sounds awful, put the old head back on.

Meanwhile, I'm forwarding this topic number to a fellow who has helped me find some unusual banjo parts.



0 =):{ )
Rev Mike ( Halo added 2-7-09)
Mike Gregory, Banjo Maker Infraordinaire
When I say my instruments are as good as anything Gibson or Martin ever made,
I mean MEL Gibson and DEAN Martin!


My banjos can be seen on my own website
http://littlebanjos.lunare.net

See me & my SQUARED EEL banjo on the Y''all tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97EfvhFgRBY

Edited by - mike gregory on 04/15/2009 13:15:50

Posted - 04/15/2009 :  16:26:50            

Here's a link TO a topic WITH a link to a guy who does custom head painting.


http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...IC_ID=145480

The owner of this head says............................................

It's airbrushed with motorcycle paint on the top of a renaissance head. I think it should wear well. Dave does some pretty amazing work - here's his website
www.connerycustompaint.com

Edited by - mike gregory on 04/15/2009 16:29:23

Posted - 04/16/2009 :  01:51:47          

Hi, Tobi...
I can do one for you. Please write me through my home page.

There are some pictures of my work there, too, but only of guitars- I never took any pictures of my painted banjo heads.

I don't use markers for the art- most marker ink fades in sunlight after a time, so I only use good permanent air brush paint.

regards,
Stanger

The pen is mightier than the pigs.

Posted - 04/16/2009 :  02:45:08    

I have never heard of painted skins maybe you mean transfers.

Bill.O

Posted - 04/16/2009 :  07:23:03        

Actually painting the underside of banjo heads with like house paint was quite common. I've seen it recently.

Ich habe die ganze tag fur dich gesucht.

(_)====''===::}

Posted - 04/17/2009 :  00:51:24  

thank you for all the answers and the offers. but i ask a friend of me, she is a learned painter and do airbrushs on cars sometimes, maybe she can do it :)
btw. the skin is the round thing in the middle of the banjo, isnt it ? i dont know if its the right word for it, the german word for this banjo piece is "Fell", this means Fur ^^

Posted - 04/17/2009 :  06:15:24            

Yes, that's what it is.
Americans call it the "head", but, for thousands of years, it was made of skin, so "skin" is a perfectly good word.


=):{ )
Mike Gregory, Banjo Maker Infraordinaire
When I say my instruments are as good as anything Gibson or Martin ever made,
I mean MEL Gibson and DEAN Martin!


My banjos can be seen on my own website
http://littlebanjos.lunare.net

See me & my SQUARED EEL banjo on the Y''all tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97EfvhFgRBY

Posted - 04/18/2009 :  08:03:43  

ah cool to know ;)

Posted - 04/18/2009 :  09:20:57        

Tobi you might want to get a clear remo weatherking head so the artwork is easy to see.

Posted - 04/18/2009 :  12:58:14            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tobi(GER)

ah cool to know ;)

---

Posted - 04/23/2009 :  01:58:58  

quote:

---

Originally posted by diarmaid

Tobi you might want to get a clear remo weatherking head so the artwork is easy to see.

---

Posted - 05/16/2009 :  22:14:22  

Permanent markers rub off. I'm having better luck with acrylic paint on the top of the head. Careful where you scratch and rub.

Marty

The spirit is frailling,but the flesh is weak.

Posted - 05/16/2009 :  22:23:07  

Try painting inside a Rennasance head. It looks nice, it's protected from wear.

Marty

The spirit is frailling,but the flesh is weak.

Posted - 11/04/2009 :  01:11:08      

Hi, my German friend. I have lived in Germany a few years back, in Hanau. Y'all got a nice country out there, appreciated the nice hospitality. The beer was nice too! I'm happy to see that you wanna honor our noble Confederate flag on your banjo. If you care to see my avatar, you will see that my banjo proudly bears the Confederate Battle Flag. I could not find it for sale nowhere, therefore I painted it. It's been nearly two years and the paint is still hanging on. I used cheap Walmart spray paint. Anyways, I'm gonna try to guide you through this.

You are going to need this:

1. Two rolls of masking tape (for painting) - one thick, one thin.
2. Thirteen, or nine star-shaped pieces of masking tape.
3. Red and blue spray paint.
4. Razor blade.
5. Glue (optional)

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

THE RED BACKGROUND OF THE FLAG

1. Remove the banjo head. Or get a hold of the banjo head you just purchased. Banjo head needs to be white.

2. Using two pieces of the thick masking tape, place the two pieces on the banjo head, as a diagonal cross, or a saltire, just like the one seen on the actual Confederate flag.

3. Now, using four pieces of the thinner masking tape, place those pieces on the edges of the X shaped pattern, simply thickening the X with those pieces. That will be the white part of the flag, between the blue saltire and the red background.

4. Place the banjo head on a flat surface, preferably outdoors. However, watch for dirt, insects, or any other kind of objects or particles that might land on your banjo while you're painting it.

5. Grab your red spray paint. Shake well.

6. Apply it within a distance of eight inches or so, or follow instructions depending on the brand of spray paint you bought. Apply uniformly, left and right, up and down. Do not get too close, and do not apply too much paint. Both of those actions might cause the paint to run, which will ruin everything. Avoid too much paint. Spray twice up and down, left and right, till it looks red enough, but not too much.

7. Let it dry a bit. Apply a second coat of paint. Do not apply much paint at once, as mentioned before. This will be your last coat, so make sure it looks the way you want.

8. I know you might be excited to have your Rebel flag banjo as quick as possible, however, patience is a virtue! I would suggest you to let it dry overnight, or at least for several hours.

9. After paint is dry, remove masking tape. Now, you want to isolate the red and white parts of the flag. The blue cross is all you got left to paint!

This will be the trickiest part - but it ain't hard at all. Just pay attention before you apply the paint. Make sure everything is set and the tape is where it's supposed to be.

10. Now, put back the thinner masking tape exactly where it was. Same thing, four pieces, protecting what will be the white border of the saltire. Place it the edge of the tape just outside the red background, that way, it will be symmetrically perfect. Just look at the Rebel flag and you will see where the tape is supposed to be - right where the white border is!

11. Now, very carefully, very, very carefully, cut all the masking tape that is inside the saltire (the cross), with your razor blade. I cannot emphasize "be careful" enough. You don't wanna cut through your banjo head, or scratch it.

12. Your are now supposed to have a perfect hollow "X", with the tape just outside the red background.

THE BLUE SALTIRE

13. Now, the boring work. You have to make the stars. My advice is the following: Preferably using a printer, print out thirteen stars, or nine, depending on which one you think it will look better. I used nine stars on mine, because if you look at the square flag and place a circle on the center, the outer four stars will be left out. However, you can "squeeze" them together and manage to put all thirteen stars in there, just by placing them a little closer. Next time I paint mine, I will put thirteen in there somehow. Anyways, print the number of stars you want, out of regular paper. Cut them, one by one. Now glue them on a piece of the thicker roll of tape. Cut them, one by one. Barely stick them on a metal surface (example, a table's legs), just so you have all of them together and still have adhesive power.

14. One by one, place your star-shaped pieces of tape inside the white "X" that will soon become blue. Organize them as correct as you can. If a star is out of place, take it off and reattach to where you want it. However, don't do it many times, or you will lose adhesive power. That would mess up your project, as paint would leak inside, or underneath the star.

15. Once the stars look good, symmetrically speaking, rub them with your fingernail, one by one. Make sure they are glued in there properly.

16. Now, you will have to cover up the part that has already been painted, that is, the red background. Use the thicker tape. Be careful not too apply too much pressure! Otherwise, the paint will come off as you peel the tape off. You can also use plastic film, then tape just the edges. Do NOT leave any tape into the hollow "X" - for you want it to be completely blue, except for the stars you already glued there.

17. Check if everything is in the proper place and the way it's supposed to be.

18. Get your blue spray paint. Shake well.

19. Apply paint, same way as you done with the red. Again, don't use too much paint. Don't let it run, bubba!

20. Let it dry, same as before.

21. Once dry, remove the tape on the edge of the red background.

22. Now, with your razor blade, carefully remove the stars. Do that by gently working the razor blade on the tips of the five pointed stars, one by one, very carefully. Remove all masking tape.

23. Well, by now you should have a perfect Confederate flag banjo head!!! If any paint got where it's not supposed to be, there's a simple remedy: scrape it off, GENTLY, with your razor blade.

If you have any questions about anything, feel free to message me at anytime, and I will get back at you as soon as I can! Good luck!

Deo Vindice

Posted - 11/04/2009 :  01:16:51    

Use a clear skin and paint the inside of the resonator.

-----------------------------------------------
Have you hugged your Banjo today ?

Posted - 11/04/2009 :  06:58:54    

Just be aware, Tobi, that some people don't view the display of the Confederate battle flag too favorably. While you probably see it simply as a historic emblem of the American south, some people have a hard time dissociating it from the ideological and economic underpinnings of the Confederacy.

'Nuf said?

Posted - 11/04/2009 :  16:05:56      

Well, Tobi, my advice to you is go ahead an proudly display the Confederate flag. If anybody is offended by it, they should mind their own business, grow some balls or grab a history book. Or maybe minding their own damn business would be a good thing too. Historically, the American flag is more racist than the Confederate flag.

Remember that the slaves were brought under the Stars and Stripes. Remember Lincoln's debate against his rival Douglass and what he said about slavery and black equality. Remember that ALL the major tribes, and including the territory of what is now Oklahoma fought for the South. In fact, did you know that the last Confederate General to surrender was in fact a Native American, by the name of Stand Watie? By the way, the under the Stars and Stripes, the US Government exterminated Native Americans. Oh, I forgot to mention that blacks also served the Confederacy. There was an all black Confederate regiment in Louisiana, and yes, Nathan Bedford Forrest had a whole militia of blacks that fought beside him and he declared them to be the "finest Confederate soldiers he ever had the honor to fight with". Remember that for each Confederate flag that Klansman and neo-Nazis fly in their rallies, there are ten American flags, but everyone just seem to have a problem with the Rebel flag.

Listen, I could go on and on giving you reasons why the Confederate flag is a noble flag and should be proudly displayed and is NO more racist than any other flag out there. As for the folks that are aggravated by it, good, let them be aggravated. You do whatever the hell you wanna do, brother, and I'm proud of having a brother out there who ain't scared by oversensitive people who apparently don't have much time to research American history, but rather listen to whatever the media regurgitates at them. Display the flag, Tobi, if you want.

If any of all what was said here offended anyone, well, I'm sorry, but I don't really care. I know history, I read about it all the time, and I research it. If you wanna discuss about my Confederate flag or politics, please, send me a private message. This is a banjo, music related website and should remain so, without political connotations. But if something negative is said about my flag, you bet I will defend it. I would die for that flag and for my Southern nation, at anytime. To me, the it's the only flag that there is, the flag of my occupied nation of Dixie Land. Enough said. Send me a private message if you need any help, Tobi, I will be glad to give you a hand, anytime.

Deo Vindice

Posted - 11/05/2009 :  11:45:44  

If people don't like it . . . . . tell them to take a long walk off a short pier.

Sheldon

Posted - 11/05/2009 :  12:26:51    

OleRed—

I agree that we should keep the Hangout free from politics, and focus on the things that unite us. So please feel free to dismount from your high horse while I explain where I’m coming from.

Regardless of your personal opinions, it’s a FACT that if you display the rebel flag (which, as you know, was not the national flag of the CSA) some people will view you negatively—with disapproval, fear, suspicion, or anger. (The tone of your second post suggests that you may have found yourself on the receiving end of such negativity at some point.) Most Americans know this, and know something of the 160+ years of history behind it.

Now, you feel strongly about the flag as a symbol of your southern heritage, so you’re willing to display it despite that negativity. But Tobi isn’t a southerner—heck, he isn’t even an American—and may not have the deeply ingrained historic and cultural knowledge that you and I have grown up with. I’d hate to see him shunned by others, for reasons he may not fully understand, because he displays a symbol that, after all, isn’t really his. So I wanted to alert him to some of the associations that, like it or not, have come to adhere to that flag.

In fact, though, there are hate-filled people out there who are using your “noble” flag to intimidate, threaten, or disparage the objects of their despicable bigotry. If you wish to preserve your flag’s good reputation, you’ll be as zealous in denouncing them as you are in correcting the errors that you find in others’ understanding of history.

—Ira

Posted - 11/05/2009 :  12:46:59      

A much more creative approach would be to use the first Confederate national flag. It is not so "in your face" and shows a bit of research and intelligence to those who have studied such things.

There is a bit of irony in the fact the what is currently referred to as the "battle flag" is not historically accurate.

-Joel Hooks

Success always comes to those who have the money to buy it.

-The Adventures of a Banjo Player, 1884 p.26

Posted - 11/05/2009 :  14:41:27      

Yes, Ira Gitlin, I get daily crap on Youtube about the flag, in real life as well, etc. Don't bother me none, most people are very ignorant about American history, and that's a fact. Also a shame. I know nearly all the Confederate flags, including state secessionist flags and local battle flags. I research about it a lot, and heck, even made a living out of it by recreating obsolete Confederate flags that no one knows about it, but yet show interest, since they are unusual. I feel strong about the flag not only due my Southern heritage, but Southern nationality. I am a Southern nationalist and secessionist and I am proud of it. However, like I have mentioned, this is not the place for politics, so we both agree on this one. If anyone is interested in discuss politics and even get passionate, maybe even aggressive on the issue, y'all are more than invited to do so on my Youtube channel.

I have to point out that the flag is for EVERY Southerner, despite of background, race, religion, sex, or political beliefs. So, NO, I will not "shun" or "denounce" the Klansmen, or other groups from displaying the flag. Even if they might be degrading our flag, even if I don't like them. FREEDOM goes both ways. Not only to groups you agree with... 'cause that wouldn't be freedom. That would be hypocritical and unethical, for if I say that the flag is for everyone, I mean just that, EVERYONE. If I exclude a group I don't like, whoever they might be, then I'm the one who's being prejudice. Oh, and bigots aren't just white, sir. Just so we're clear. And honestly, for cryin' out loud, I can't possibly see how someone can be intimidated by a flag. Are we so oversensitive that a piece of cloth hurts us now? Come on. If nobody is getting physically hurt, and the display of the flag is within the law, then let people b****.

And the flag is indeed a battle flag, in a sense. Although it is not the Confederate Battle flag, which was actually square (therefore the model on my banjo IS the Confederate Battle flag, since is square and not rectangular) - it was a Confederate battle flag used by The First Tennessee Army, after the flag depot in Georgia mistakenly manufactured their flag in a rectangular fashion, instead of making them square. So the 1st Tennessee Army embraced it after a few battles. Also, the rectangular flag that we know as the "Confederate Flag", was the official second Navy Jack, although the shade of blue of a lighter one. The rectangular flag was also proposed to be a National Flag when the Confederacy was created, but it was rejected by the government, that remarked that the flag resembled "two crossed suspenders". As the war went on and the North destroyed our homeland, sympathy for the American flag and our Stars and Bars (that was created to resemble the US flag as much as possible) dropped, then passion for the Battle flag arose.

Now, as for Tobi displaying the Stars and Bars instead of the Battle Flag, well, how about letting Tobi decides what he wants to display, huh? I think he made it clear that he wanted the Battle Flag, so let the boy be and display whatever he wants. Oh, and it doesn't matter if he is not a Southerner, but a German. Our Rebel flag is displayed in Alberta and Quebec, by a lot of folks. In England, Germany (I was there and I saw many) - and several other places across America and the world. I have no problem with that.

I have to remind you that the First National Flag, or the Stars and Bars, was created not by an American, or a Southerner, but by a Prussian national named Nicola Marschall. Besides, people of all nationalities, races and religious beliefs fought for the South, including Irish, German, Polish, etc. You name it. So, like I say, anyone who wants to display the flag, by whatever reasons, should display the flag.

After all, how many foreigners enlisted in our US Army... or live here in America? So... they shouldn't display the flag either?!? See, it's always okay to bash the Confederate flags, but not the Stars and Stripes. I'm done talking about the flag here, if y'all want to continue this, message me privately or meet me on Youtube. After all, I know how this whole thing goes and the last thing I want is the forum moderators all over me, as it has happened in other forums before.

This forum is about banjo - Tobi asked anyone to teach him how to paint a Confederate flag on his banjo. If you re-read this thread, you will find that I simply did just that. Everything else that was posted here is an answer to what was said about the flags my ancestor (who was Irish, matter of fact) lost a leg trying to defend. And by God, I will honor that flag and my heritage, just like everybody else, including minorities, do.

Now, as for your remark about the fact that "some people will view you negatively—with disapproval, fear, suspicion, or anger." - true, but I don't care. Those same people don't take care of me if I get sick, or put food on my table. To hell with them. And as a matter of fact, Jesus Christ was viewed with great disapproval, fear, suspicion and anger, wasn't he now? I don't recall Him giving up on his beliefs. He stuck to it to the bitter end, died for it. So, the bottom line is, if not even Jesus Himself could please everyone, why the hell would I try to do so?! Not a chance. I a who I am, don't like it, then let me be. I don't go around telling people to put their Rainbow flags down because I don't agree with what they believe. I don't go around giving lectures to Mexicans to put their flag down because this is America. I don't bother anyone, so the least I expect, it's the same. But as a white Southerner, conservative male, we all know that this is not possible. Oh boy, the complaining... never ends.

Deo Vindice

Edited by - OleRed on 11/05/2009 14:54:57