appicker - Posted - 05/29/2012:  10:39:55

I just received notice (and theses pictures) from Rickard banjo that my banjo kit has shipped. I will be posting pictures of the finishing process. So check back to see the banjo as it progresses.

If all goes well it should get to me this Friday and I will start finishing it this weekend.

I was hoping to take it to the Mount Airy fiddler’s convention but there is no way to get it done by then.

Thanks to Bill and Sean for one great looking instrument. 

Edited by - appicker on 05/29/2012 10:41:51

TLG - Posted - 05/29/2012:  11:29:41

Hi,
Interesting bridge ! Is it a Bill Rickard design he sells ?
I have a couple Rickard Dobson tonerings I am currently making banjos around.

Thanks,
Tom

appicker - Posted - 05/29/2012:  12:28:18

I was told by Sean at Rickard Banjos that this is there new design and I am the first person to get one shipped with at banjo.

aeroweenie - Posted - 05/29/2012:  18:10:28

A fine kit indeed!  I'll be following your progress, thanks for sharing.

Pine Cone - Posted - 05/29/2012:  21:40:38

The Rickard kits are great banjos and great bargains.

I was playing my walnut and maple Dobson kit just yesterday...

I can't wait to see pictures of your's and hear some tunes on it when it is all done.

tomchateau@hotmail.com - Posted - 05/29/2012:  22:09:26

Hi,

My wife and I are looking to move to open back playing and we hadn't even considered a kit - what a great idea.  I just wrote Rickard with an inquiry about pricing.

Although I am pretty good with wood, I am pretty weak with finishing  ;o(    The finishing is something that has me concerned.  I too will be following the evolution of your project.

                        Thanks...Tom

rudy - Posted - 05/30/2012:  05:17:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by tomchateau@hotmail.com



Hi,

My wife and I are looking to move to open back playing and we hadn't even considered a kit - what a great idea.  I just wrote Rickard with an inquiry about pricing.

Although I am pretty good with wood, I am pretty weak with finishing  ;o(    The finishing is something that has me concerned.  I too will be following the evolution of your project.

 

                        Thanks...Tom

---

 Bill's kits are pretty much done from what I've seen in the past, requiring finish work and assembly of all the components.  Sounds like the majority of the work is exactly what your weakness is.  A bit of reading up and you should be able to do it!

appicker - Posted - 05/30/2012:  05:27:35

You can have Bill do as little or as much work as you would like.

Things like neck shaping are done for you but you can put on the fingerboard, cut the peg head, fret the neck and drill all the holes etc.

So its up to you, the customer to decide how much or little Bill does for you.

The final price also reflects how much Bill does versus how much you do.

I have built several banjos from scratch. The contents of my wood shop were stolen three years ago and I have not been able to replace the machinery. That’s why my kit is complete except for the finish.

Edited by - appicker on 05/30/2012 05:31:38

TLG - Posted - 05/30/2012:  05:38:55

Although I am only using the Rickard Dobson rings I am finishing with Tru-oil. The neck & rim are walnut.
Tru-oil is easy to apply for the novice finisher & looks good but like all finishes takes time to build up & dry properly.
Spray can lacquer is easy too permitting weather conditions & a place to spray, watch out for runs, drying & curing time, polishing out.
Lots of finish options.

Tommy

appicker - Posted - 05/30/2012:  05:54:44

My banjo has a walnut neck and a maple pot. I am planning on staining the pot with Transtint dark vintage maple dye dissolved in denatured alcohol and leaving the neck alone.
I am going to finish the whole banjo with Tru Oil same as I have done on several other banjo that I have made.

Pine Cone - Posted - 05/30/2012:  20:47:44

Sounds like you are finishing yours similar to what I did on mine.  I forget which transtint maple stain I used on the pot, no stain on the neck, MinWax Satin Wipeon Poly finish on neck and pot.  It's darkened up a little since these pictures were taken.  Great banjos...

darylcrisp - Posted - 05/30/2012:  23:17:43

thanks for posting. i had no idea something like this was available, and i've thought to get a Dobson in the future. Love the styling of yours.

excited to watch this project as well-since i love walnut necks and maple pots.

now i need to check into the cost of such a kit.

thanks again

d

appicker - Posted - 05/31/2012:  06:10:19

Pine Cone



Your build was the inspiration for me building one of Bill's kits.

I read and re-read your post until I just had to have one myself.

So thank you for your posts, you inspired me to do the same.

Edited by - appicker on 05/31/2012 06:17:19

sugarinthegourd - Posted - 05/31/2012:  16:11:42

Cool bridge -- I like the "R" subtly outlined in the cutout.

tonehead - Posted - 06/01/2012:  03:52:45

I've searched high and low on both websites. Are the prices for kits listed somewhere?

rudy - Posted - 06/01/2012:  05:14:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by tonehead



I've searched high and low on both websites. Are the prices for kits listed somewhere?

 

---

 One of Bill's problems is having multiple sites that is a bit confusing for someone looking for info.  I'm sure he'll get that all sorted out someday, he's a busy guy!

That said, his main "store" page HERE states plainly:

"More products and banjo kits will be added in the very near future". "

 If you e-mail him with what you're interested in he will contact you back.  Bill's a great guy!

Edited by - rudy on 06/01/2012 05:16:58

appicker - Posted - 06/01/2012:  05:23:50

I sent Bill an email and he sent back an excel "pick" sheet.
You choose the options and level of completion you want send it back and then Bill sends a quote.
Could not be easier.

tonehead - Posted - 06/01/2012:  09:45:45

Thanks guys.

appicker - Posted - 06/02/2012:  14:20:39

Here are some pictures of the banjo disassembled and getting ready to be sanded and the pot stained.

I am working on getting the Tru-Oil finish built up over this weekend and will have some more pictures in the next day or so.

The pot has six coats of Tru-Oil and the neck has five so I am getting close.

I try and keep the finish light on the pot and a little thicker on the neck since it sees much more ware.

Edited by - appicker on 06/02/2012 14:22:35

Pine Cone - Posted - 06/02/2012:  21:51:56

Looking great.  Nice grain on the walnut neck.  Can't hardly wait until you put it all together!