jbalch - Posted - 05/22/2011:  09:18:29

Bill sent me a green dyed calfskin to try.  I decided to mount it on an old aluminum rim banjo that I bought just for fun.  It is a very BOLD green color.

I'm thinking about tracing a Celtic knot design on the bottom side with a black sharpie.  The green color might make a great canvas for a cool design like that.  What do you think?

In-process:

design idea:

Edited by - jbalch on 05/23/2011 10:13:27

jbalch - Posted - 05/22/2011:  09:26:03

might look something like this:

pammiec - Posted - 05/22/2011:  09:37:34

I love it John! Terrific idea!

Mumble Peg - Posted - 05/22/2011:  09:55:23

Take it out on St. Patrick's Day. Otherwise keep it in the closet. Sort of like green pizza. 

Just kiddin'

Mumble Peg - Posted - 05/22/2011:  09:55:49

Take it out on St. Patrick's Day. Otherwise keep it in the closet. Sort of like green pizza. 

Just kiddin'

Mumble Peg - Posted - 05/22/2011:  09:56:03

Take it out on St. Patrick's Day. Otherwise keep it in the closet. Sort of like green pizza. 

Just kiddin'

jbalch - Posted - 05/22/2011:  10:01:38

St. Patrick's day...now that is an idea.

Mike Casey - Posted - 05/22/2011:  10:21:45

John, A great idea in my opinion.  Around my place everyday is St. Patricks Day.  Mike Casey

michael6 - Posted - 05/22/2011:  10:38:00

Nice design !

billmill22 - Posted - 05/22/2011:  12:43:46

John, That's a great idea!  it looks good through the skin. I'm going to try my hand at it for my banjo---I like green!

Bill

jbalch - Posted - 05/22/2011:  15:45:41

Here is the result. I like the way the design looks behind the mottled skin.

I'm no artist.  I bet someone with real talent could make this into something really special.

DEmery - Posted - 05/22/2011:  15:48:43

John I have seen you mount lots of heads but not one for St. Patrick. Interesting look. David E.

vintagewells - Posted - 05/22/2011:  16:16:58

So how does a hide head sound on an aluminum rim???? I've been thinking of that, but haven't gotten around to it.

jbalch - Posted - 05/22/2011:  16:32:34

It is crazy how good these aluminum rims sound.  I just put the neck back on a while ago.  This one set up with the hide sounds great. 

Edited by - jbalch on 05/22/2011 16:45:00

bordertownbrown - Posted - 05/22/2011:  16:38:14

John, This sounds like a great idea and I love those green heads. I'm anxious to see the final result.

DanKnowles - Posted - 05/22/2011:  17:45:12

John,

Add some white and gold to the design and walk / play with true Irish pride!

I didn't know that Balch was Irish though(?) !

Cryo - Posted - 05/22/2011:  18:04:09

Can we please see it with the neck on?

DEmery - Posted - 05/22/2011:  18:21:44

Oh Dan I thought you knew that when the O'Balch clan came from Ireland they had to alter their name a little when the got off at Ellis Island. Jonny O'Balch comes from a long line of kilt wearing Irishmen. Get John to model it for you at UDM this summer. David E.

Paul R - Posted - 05/22/2011:  21:23:00

Rats! John, you took my idea, the one I stole from BHO member John Bolster:

banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...albumid=0

I had an aluminum rimmed banjo like that - even down to the flat part where the neck attached. Wish I still had it; it didn't sound half bad. Hmm. Green skin head - jigs and reels.

jbalch - Posted - 05/23/2011:  06:52:11

Paul:  I'm sure you did a better job with the artwork. 

Here are some images of the banjo assembled.

Edited by - jbalch on 05/23/2011 06:54:36

jbalch - Posted - 05/23/2011:  10:08:03

I'm probably going to put this banjo on ebaY.  So I recorded a short video to demo the sound.

You can hear Sheila's grandad's old clock at the end if the tune. I should have played "Grandfather's Clock" I guess.

Oh Well...I did Cluck Old Hen instead~

Edited by - jbalch on 05/23/2011 10:10:59

VIDEO: John Balch ~ banjo demo dyed calfskin head.wmv (click to view)