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mike gregory - Posted - 12/01/2011: 21:44:32
OOPS! Forgot to add the picture.
mike gregory - Posted - 12/02/2011: 04:32:43
Aintique (like ANtique, but it AIN't old!) fork, with the tnes bent to hold the string loops, and the handle bent to hook under the rim.
Clear head, so I bent the handle so the pretty pattern would be visible. It's 6:30 in the morning, and I'll post a sound file, once I hear that the upstairs neighbors are awake and moving around.
Sgtp3pp3r - Posted - 12/02/2011: 11:35:28
quote:
Originally posted by Randall
All banjos got names!
Mine don't. Am I remiss in this?
--Steve
Klondike Waldo - Posted - 12/02/2011: 11:53:36
Sounds pretty good, Mike. You must be having fun there in "the Center of The Civilized World" I salute you from "The Hub Of The Universe."
mike gregory - Posted - 12/19/2011: 05:03:07
And now, for some potentially sad news:
The client has not responded to any of my e-mails in approximately 30 days. Don't know if he still wants the banjo.
Ah, well. Ever the optimist, I shall finish it. And, since he has informed me that he first heard of me via the HangOut, and since I informed him, back when we were discussing ideas for this, that I would be posting ON the HangOut, perhaps he'll see this post, and check his message filter, to see if my messages have been trapped in Cyberspace.
And if I don't hear from him again, I shall post (possibly in early January), that this banjo is for sale to the highest bidder.
mike gregory - Posted - 12/27/2011: 10:16:48
Still haven't heard from the client.
I must be a VERY slow learner, as I am WELL aware that every luthier on the BHO has a standard policy of getting a rather hefty payment up front.
But I. ever the optimist, figured that I'd build it without doing the details which would customize it exclusively as his, until he had deposited a hefty amount, and then, IF (for any reason) he backed out, I'd have a very interesting banjo to sell to anybody else.
And now, I have a very interesting banjo, but he has not officially cancelled the deal.
mike gregory - Posted - 12/28/2011: 14:46:05
I recall a rather lengthy discussion here, some time back, where one BHO member claimed he was owed something, and the other BHO member said the item was sent, but there was no receipts, no paper trail.
And both these people were on my Friends' List, and, far as I know, both honorable persons. Yet the bitterness was deep and lasting between them.
Which is why I sent a certified letter to the client, so I can prove that it got to his last known address on thus-and-such a day.
I'll let you know if any response is forthcoming.
Paul R - Posted - 12/29/2011: 19:55:55
Sounds like fun!
Still no word from your client?
frankiej73 - Posted - 12/31/2011: 04:11:41
Mike, I must say that is pretty freaking incredible! I thank you greatly for sending me that message on YT directing me here, as I might have missed this. Your ingenuity is amazing. I am way more impressed by instruments like this than I am by typical high-toned finery produced by some elitist luthier.
The rim on that thing is a thing of beauty. The motorbike spokes are a fabulous idea. I love the tray repurposed as a resonator with the magnetic attachment. I've got a fretted nylon string bowl banjo I may never finish that is going to be the mate to the one that I built already, and I am stealing the idea for the grounding lugs used for brackets. Maybe I missed it, but does your neck have a truss rod, or is it just a metallic reinforcement rod of some kind that I see there? I'm thinking about eventually making the plunge into steel string stuff and would like an idea for neck reinforcement.
I hope your client contacts you. If not, I would think that you will have absolutely no problem finding a buyer. Hell, if I wasn't a broke state employee eating pork and beans everyday I'd buy it!
Thanks for sharing Mike, I am really impressed!
Edited by - frankiej73 on 12/31/2011 04:17:28
mike gregory - Posted - 12/31/2011: 04:35:51
Thanks for the kind words, Frankie. It's got a piece of aircraft grade aluminum bar (If memory serves, T220 or thereabouts) as a nonadjustable truss rod. Leonard Sloane recommended that for the neck in his instructions on making a classical guitar, and I figure if it's good for holding straight against 6 strings, it'll be good for 5.
Now, let's not go calling the people who care about high standards of workmanship "elitist luthiers". It's an art form, and everybody has their own ideas of what they want out there representing their expression of Beauty and Truth.
My idea is to cobble some crap together, as quickly as possible, and start making noise with it. Doesn't bother me in the least that some people want to have things that are drop-jaw beautiful attributed to their hands.
frankiej73 - Posted - 12/31/2011: 06:10:11
Thanks for the info about the neck reinforcement. I have a couple of the Sloane books. In one he makes a reso banjo with aluminum bar and it has a few "ribs" joined 90 degrees to the main piece to increase stiffness.
No harm meant with the "elitist luthier" comment. It just seems, from my observation, that many people hold musical instruments to such a high standard that they wouldn't appreciate something like yours. My apologies if I offended you sir. Take care my friend!
mike gregory - Posted - 12/31/2011: 07:22:10
Am I offended? Read this out LOUD!
Like Ham, Shem, and Japeth said to their father, when the neighbors stole the barricade he had put up around the ark building site
"Noah, fence taken!"
Dave1climber - Posted - 12/31/2011: 07:30:49
Mike
I saw this thread when it first started, some how missed it, found it when it came back up and have enjoyed reading of your "railroad trip". The only reason that I can think of for a non reply from your client is sickness or worse. Should that be the case i am positive that you will do all right selling the "locomotive".
Thanks for the "ride"
Dave
mike gregory - Posted - 12/31/2011: 16:00:15
The magnets hold well enough, but when sitting, the weight of the body causes the banjo to slide across the magnets. So I glued in 4 blocks, tight up against the inside of the body.
h 
Drilled holes in 4 little blocks, put fishline through the holes, tugged them up against the inside of the rim, hung just enough weight on the lines to keep them snug while the glue dried.
So, as the last picture shows, they are not up against the ledge of the resonator, but they are exactly where they have to be.
Edited by - mike gregory on 12/31/2011 16:09:54
Dave1climber - Posted - 01/01/2012: 08:28:06
Magnets, string, gravity all very dependable. Clever.
Dave
xixiant - Posted - 01/03/2012: 15:48:55
Brilliant as ever, Mike! And she sounds great!
mike gregory - Posted - 01/03/2012: 15:52:53
I was over to VAPOR's house to pick up some wood today, and I brought it along for show&tell.
I'll ask him to post his opinion, since he got to play it.
Vapor - Posted - 01/03/2012: 21:15:16
I am giving my opinion in Mike's Railroad Lady. For what it is worth, if I did not like it, I would not write something to just make someone happy. I am writing the opinion I feel this banjo deserves.
I did indeed get to play the Railroad Lady today. She is quite nice. I was most impressed with the way she settled into my lap, she was very comfortable to hold, no strap needed. I found her neck to be very comfortable and I was playing her right away. I have to usually get used to a banjo for a few minutes, but she just nestled into my hands and played very easy. The 5th string runs all the way to the nut, so it gives you a little more range of play with her. The resonator pops on and off, and is held in place with very sturdy magnets. The banjo has a nice appearance to it, and the use of materials and the originality is phenominal. She is very comfortable on the ears as well, not an ear splitter, so you can play her anywhere and enjoy. Nice sound, and best of all, it is an American Made Banjo.
I have to give Mike a congratulations on this one. Very clever design. He is truly a master at taking anything and making it into an incredible instrument. I played his cello banjo, and I fell in love. This one is just as nice.
Thanks Mike, for allowing me to play her.
Now we have to get back together so we can jam a little and I can play her again. (And the cello banjo as well).
mike gregory - Posted - 01/16/2012: 12:54:06
Sad to say, but, due to an unfortunate series of events, the Railroad Lady is up for sale to the general public.
Here's the ad.
banjohangout.org/classified/26173
And, it seems I haven't posted a picture of the finished banjo.
Better do that today!
Edited by - mike gregory on 01/16/2012 12:55:04
pddngtn - Posted - 01/16/2012: 19:58:37
Mike,
That is a darn fine looking instrument! Question though, 4 tines on a fork, 5 strings on a banjo. What am I missing. Hope the Lady finds a fine and appreciative home.
Brian
mike gregory - Posted - 01/16/2012: 23:02:05
4th & 5th string on one tine. Not really a problem. Not an original idea of mine. Lots of guys and gals in the DIY banjo videos do much the same.
banjoy - Posted - 01/17/2012: 01:19:05
Now this is cool. Someone's gonna get a nice banjer.
Quartermaster James - Posted - 01/18/2012: 09:08:12
quote:
Originally posted by mike gregory
That is the closest to my home town, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (The Centre of the Civilised World).
Hee hee. Out west here, we spell it Milwaukie.
Milwaukie, Oregon. Or, as I call it, The Cultural Gem of The Pacific Northwest!
Dave1climber - Posted - 02/13/2012: 13:49:37
Mike
Though this needed a bump. 
mike gregory - Posted - 02/18/2012: 14:42:17
This message was sent to you via the BanjoBuyer.com System:
---------------------------------------
Banjo Title: Railroad Lady, with detachable magnetic resonator
URL: http://www.banjobuyer.com/banjo/26173
|
|
|
|
Message:
sir,
my name is John Primm iam currently deployed to afganistan right now and before
deployment i had to give my banjo away i was looking on this sight and found your
banjo if you could send me some more pictures of her i would gladly pay your asking
price for it
======================
Since it's from banjobuyer, no, I doubt it very much.
Since I have asked, right here, what am I bid,and the guy is not bidding two cents lower than my asking price, I doubt it very much.
Since it's a wierd banjo, that would have a limited appeal, I doubt it very much.
Since there's a youtube of it, I doubt it very much.
Maybe I've been lied to, btween 1945 and 2007, just a few times, by EXPERTS in the art of deception, maybe my skeptic tank is too close to always overflowing.
Dave1climber - Posted - 02/18/2012: 15:18:21
Mike
Don't be such a doubting Tomas, send a pic or two, maybe he will pay in gold bars. 
No, really maybe he is legitimate. 
mike gregory - Posted - 02/18/2012: 16:08:47
E-mail to him, from me:
.......................................
I didn't post the ad on "banjobuyer", but I do have a banjo for sale.
Don't know much about how they do business on that site, and if they're going to want a percentage.
Also: Am I supposed to ship the banjo to Afghanistan?
I imagine that shipping a 15 lb package that size is going to cost you a lot of money.
You could send me half of the money now, and I'd wait to hear that you were back Stateside, and ship it somewhere in the U.S.
You asked for more pictures.
Of what specific parts?
.............................................
Dave1climber - Posted - 02/18/2012: 20:50:18
I can see that you are being careful, good plan, and good luck. 
I will be interested in the reply if any. Probably along the lines of "I would like to play now while I am here". Don't bite on that.
mike gregory - Posted - 02/21/2012: 07:31:17
No response as yet.
Dave1climber - Posted - 02/21/2012: 13:55:54
John Primm sounds like a scam
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