tron.miller - Posted - 02/02/2012:  12:20:21

I lurked around the "Mountain Banjo" topic for a while and figured I'd give it a try...

Body and neck are reclaimed cherry, the head is an old Kodak film tin, the fret board is copper plate and the tailpiece is a hinge!

tron.miller - Posted - 02/02/2012:  12:21:13

three more...

cbcarlisle - Posted - 02/02/2012:  13:46:57

Wow! That's Industrial Strength! What kind of bolts are those? Very Steampunk.

DH#52 - Posted - 02/02/2012:  13:56:30

Wow!  I wouldn't know how to play a fretless banjo, but that thing looks cool!  Excellent work!

Steve 

Edited by - DH#52 on 02/02/2012 13:58:17

oldtimefolkie - Posted - 02/02/2012:  14:00:29

Love to hear it!  Any sound clips?

tron.miller - Posted - 02/03/2012:  02:10:10

The hardware is mostly 1/4" brass with an applied patina. In place of the center board I made 1/2"x1" brass spacers.

As for sound clips: the strings are still settling in (and I have to figure out how to play a fretless myself!!). As soon as I can get something decent together I'll post an mp3.

ttyl
-Phil

tron.miller - Posted - 02/03/2012:  03:36:32

well, turns out the strings have settled down...here's a CH and a 2 finger song

shady grove

Pretty Poly

rudy - Posted - 02/03/2012:  05:03:21

Hi Phil, nice job on your intro into the mountain world.

If you found the "Mountain Banjo" topic to be inspirational be sure to add a quick post and a full frontal photo over on the topic so it stays active and doesn't lapse into the archived topics area.

banjohangout.org/topic/173153/17

Muddy Roads - Posted - 02/03/2012:  06:37:32

I really do like the primitive and worked look with some leftover file marks here and there. And is that a #2 stamped on the neck near the nut? nice job.

tron.miller - Posted - 02/03/2012:  07:21:22

thanks...I intentionally left tool marks on the banjo...I've always liked the "handmade" look. And yes a "2" there and a couple other stamps here and there.

I'd make another one (I bet the second would be better) but there's too many other projects ahead of it in the queue!!