I'm hoping to get some feedback on the merits of supplying Vega style necks for openbacks but in a kit form. My thinking is that numerous new builders would prefer to do as much as the building process themselves, as possible. The difficult part can be getting started. As an example: fret length; how to shape the neck; how to cut the heel to match the rim + setback angle; where to find the wood etc. etc. etc. I just cnc cut approx. 75 necks and am thinking there may be a market for these necks as they come off the router table. Being that I'm working from a wheelchair one armed, it takes me probably twice as long to inlay a fingerboard or glue the board in place as a seasoned builder. All the necks that I build are a min. of 3 plies with offset grain patterns and come off the table with the truss rod groove pre-cut. I'm fully set-up to cut the rim cut-out at the heel for either an 11" or 12" rim + automatically cut the fingerboard fret slots. My thinking is why not do what I'm set-up to do one handed and leave the final assembly and decoration to the customer, which is real time consumming for me. These necks could also be supplied in various stages of build or assembly right up to a completed neck if required. Kind of like a pick your own options concept from a printed list of components. What do you all think?? Is there a market for such a neck?? I've attached some photos of various stages of build to show what's possible. Any thoghts on costing etc.??

Bill Rickard








www.banjo-workshop.com

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs every day.

And there's also a bad side."
-- Hunter S. Thompson

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  00:25:01    

I think you would sell bunches of them if you offered several styles (as shown) ..... Heck, You can write me down for one like the bottom picture please... :)

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  02:22:24          

Hi Bill,
I think you would be providing a valuable service for new builders. Your idea should work as FQMS has offered the same idea in their stage 1 through stage (5?) necks for as long as I can remember.
I would think most folks would like the profiled neck only, with most of the other work left undone.
A "paddle style" peg head area might also be desired so the shape could be done by the builder. It's one of the areas that add distinction to and otherwise generic shape.
You might also consider leaving the heel area unshaped for Dobson or other style admirers.

Visit my website for assorted banjo construction information:
http://www.bluestemstrings.com/page...onTips1.html

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  02:38:36        

Hi Bill
as a new player and tinkerer deeply bitten by the building bug your idea sounds great. I don't have the equipment or knowledge to start from scratch and to be honest, it's the assembly and finish, especially the inlay that I'm interested in learning - so I would interested in buying a neck kit from you - they sound perfect. Let us know what you decide!

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  02:51:30    

Bill thats a fantastic idea and i would certainly like to take a couple of necks off you. Here in the UK there is no-one offering that service and providing the shipping is not prohibitively expensive from Canada i believe you will have a lot of custom from these shores.

Are you in a position to sell/ship any of these just yet? [presumably it would not be a problem to get a neck without the perch pole - ready for lag bolts instead], please let us know.

Proud Union Man

Regards from London.

Edited by - country frank on 10/08/2009 02:53:13

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  03:23:50      

building bug is right. I gotta try. I'd be very interested in hearing more! Send me a message.

youdog

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  05:23:07        

Hey Bill, you could put my name on the list. I think that you would inspire more people to try their hand at building thier own.

Rick

Gibson RB-250

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  06:28:53    

I think you are on to something here. I would have purchased two from you in the past year alone ... now my wife hinting that I need to thin the herd a bit, but I am sure I will be back at building in the near future.... just can't help myself.

SoggyBottom

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  06:48:13          

You're on to something great here!!!

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  07:33:39    

Bill, Sounds like a great idea, those necks are terrific!

Richard Brown

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  07:49:52        

Hi, Bill.
I just sent you a PM inquiring about rough necks for long-neck banjos.

Bill Drellow

"He don't say much, but when he does ... he don't say much." Jack E. Leonard

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  08:01:44    

Yes Sir! It sure seems to me that there is a market for these. I've been building my own from FQMS blanks, but they do not offer a 3 piece neck. Different woods, various PH shapes, incl unshaped paddle, as options would be perfect. Exact repros. of the older Vega and Gibson (pre-1925) 3 piece necks would be wonderful. IMO, if you can keep the price reasonable, say below $300 for a semi finished neck (incl. profiled, slotted fretboard and peghead), I believe you'll be in business. I'll surely be a customer!
Good Luck!
BT


"Ya gotta get all them tunes in yer head"

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  09:37:10  

Good idea, I would buy one or two.

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  10:33:22      

Bill - a big "YES" from me, I'd certainly pick up up about 1/2 dozen from you right now...for an idea of costing, you could check Roger Siminoff's site, he is one of the few I know who has a "menu" type price list...I think Wyatt Fawley used to sell his finished necks (except for minor sanding and finishing) for just under $300.00...that was with fretboard, binding, peghead overlay, fretted, nut & dowel stick drilled and supplied and inlay...so maybe just the neck itself routed for a truss rod and heel cut (no fretboard, peghead overlay etc. like the first 3 pictures) would be about $80.00 to $150.00 depending on the wood used and services offered? Anyway lt me know if you have any for sale right now, I'm ready!

http://www.siminoff.net/parts/index...x&cPath=4_19

BTW, have always loved your "Duke" qoute, having been in the "industry" for over 25 years, it is so true!!!

******************************************************
"It's a league game Smokey..."

Edited by - RG on 10/08/2009 10:37:21

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  19:44:15        

Bill,

Would you happen to be able to do one with the the peg-head un-cut. If so, I would certainly like to purchase one.

~Chris

Christopher W. Dean

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  20:09:57      

Chris: (And All)

Thanks for all the feedback and positive input. As far as supplying a neck with a paddle head peghead, it would be no problem. I'm actually starting to modify the program to cut several different designs of pegheads so you can pick out your preferance, or go with just a plain paddle peghead, and design your own. What I'm hopping to do is stock some standards so they can be shipped from stock in 90% of the applications. I just have to download some photos off my camera that will show the existing stock. I also tend to get borred cranking out the same neck design over and over again and like to match up the particular piece of wood I'm working with a variety of center veneers for some variety, so I'd probably need to post photos of what's presently available. By going this route every neck would be a design on its own to keep some interest. I've also been asked if I can supply long necks in the same design. The answer is yes as I've built these numerous times in the past. The program has to be cleaned up a little to eliminate some hand work but that's a minimal job.
Again thanks for the positive feedback. I'll keep you all posted as this gets put together.

Bill Rickard

www.banjo-workshop.com

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs every day.

And there's also a bad side."
-- Hunter S. Thompson

Posted - 10/08/2009 :  22:02:29      

Heres some shots of a rehab project that now requires rehab to get of the banjo building obsession! There's also a shot of the desk top router used to make the necks + some spun over rims awaiting necks.

Bill Rickard





www.banjo-workshop.com

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs every day.

And there's also a bad side."
-- Hunter S. Thompson

Posted - 10/09/2009 :  06:04:37        

Bill, might you eventually be offering various Vega-style, short-scale necks, perhaps in different woods? I think you will be providing a valuable service that will make your end of the business easier to manage.

"Look upward; He IS coming back!"

"What happens in heaven, stays in heaven"

Posted - 10/09/2009 :  15:31:07      

Bill - those spun over pots sure look cool hanging there...they would look better hanging over my workbench! Are you selling those yet??? I'm doing a fretless neck and would love one of those pots for it...can you shoot me a PM if possible? Thanks...

******************************************************
"It's a league game Smokey..."

Posted - 10/09/2009 :  16:25:36      

I agree with everyone else great idea I would be interested in one or two. Larry

Learning a new skill takes time, patience and practice. Also it is very important to stay hydrated

Posted - 10/10/2009 :  02:55:46      

Hey Bill...I think, that there would be a market, for these unfinished necks. I've talked to a number of people, in the last year or two, that lament the fact, that Wyatt doesn't offer these anymore.

bvh

Posted - 10/10/2009 :  03:10:11    

Bill, keep us posted, serious buyers here.

Proud Union Man

Regards from London.