DEmery - Posted - 05/28/2013:  13:16:10

Dan you may be protected under those journalist legal protections I keep hearing about in the news. Anyone with 43K reads must be a bonified journalist. I suppose that would be a JOB Degree you hold from one of those fine universities in Paris - or translated that would be a degree in Journalism of Banjo. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/28/2013:  17:47:07

Bob,

It made me happy that the camera could capture just a bet of that evenings beauity.

John,

Oh my goodness... what are ou gonna do when you get to I Am Sleeping?

David,

I may get the big head from that, A bonified Journalist, HOT DOG!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/28/2013:  18:13:39

MORE MISSISSIPPI

OK I admit, I'm playing ketchup (maybe this should be playing hambuger) with pictures of the past few days from the last Queen of the Mississippi trip.

Like most of my trips I did some group banjo teaching. I really enjoy seeing these groups of people get excited about the banjo and its possibilities. All of it incased in a little ole' frailing lick!

No grins in this bunch!

The group shot! They all could do the lick at this point.

Our fearless leader Marci Limpp! Oh yes, Marci could do the frailing lick too!

A little harbor towboat. Look close and you can see the pilot shooting a picture of us!

Bob, here is another sunset... this time over Memphis.

More real, really soon...

Paul R - Posted - 05/28/2013:  19:12:09

Luuuuv that sunset, Dan. And that's some serious mini banjo that the lady on the right (top photo) is playing - great peghead! These photos are further proof that the banjo is capital-letter FUN!

Paul

Pine Cone - Posted - 05/28/2013:  19:44:25

My CD arrived today and like everyone else that has commented, it sounds great! 

So are you bringing the same group of mini banjos with you on these boat rides?  Do you offer to sell them to the students at the end of each cruise?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/28/2013:  20:16:49

Paul,

I couldn't agree more... banjo is GREAT FUN!

Scott,

Thank you, I'm glad that you like the new CD. For me listening to it brings back such great memories that I'm not always sure if it is the music or the memories which please me the most. For the most part these are the same Mini-banjos that I started with. A few have sold and these I've replenished. They've been selling for $250 and folks seam to think it fair. I'm planning on offering them for sell through the Hangout real soon.

Pine Cone - Posted - 05/28/2013:  22:00:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by DanKnowles

Scott,

They've been selling for $250 and folks seem to think it fair. I'm planning on offering them for sale through the Hangout real soon.

---

I'd be happy to have the chance to buy one of your mini banjos.  They seem to be the perfect size for a passel of grandkids that I hope to get interested in banjo.  So far I can get some to dance to what I play, and some to play one of mine if I help with the chords.  Please let me know if and when you want to sell them off. Might make a fun travel/camping banjo as well!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/29/2013:  05:13:49

Scott

Grandkids are the perfect reason to have one of these Mini-banjos. I've made one for each of my grandkids for their first birthday...I figure that one can't start introducing kids to music too early! I should have some of these little Mini-banjos out in the next few weeks.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/29/2013:  06:36:24

MORE MISSISSIPPI #2

Yep you guessed it, morning in Memphis. Looking at these photos it is interesting how much the Mississippi river has dropped in just a few days. A week ago the river was up to those "stages" that protrude from the bank.

Mud Island just across from where we are docked. There is a scale model of the Mississippi river that goes from the headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico. You can wade the distance if you want to.

A "sinker" or log trapped in the walkway.

My fiddlin' friend Danny Conger takes me taking his picture as Mark Holladay checks his cell phone.

Mark, Danny & Sam relaxing just before the nights show.

Headin' home...

Some very fine mosaic tile work from the wall of a Mississippi rest stop...

I needed to stay in Memphis over night for some business, so the guys went on home. But this is my room for the night at a Days Inn...

My stuff loaded up in the van ready to tavel homewards...

Finally me and my Burger King coffee head home.

More soon...

Kaelri - Posted - 05/29/2013:  11:11:01

Dan;

We received your CD over the weekend just in time for a short road trip that we took. So we listened to it going and coming back. The whole family really enjoyed it. I must say our favorite tune on the CD is "The Banjo Never Sleeps" It is so full of energy and drive. You guys really put the "Scald" on that one! 

While we liked the whole CD, the stand-outs for us are the "Banjo" tune aforementioned as well as "Last Letter Home" and "Waiting for the Stars to Shine".

We just wanted to let you know. I am sure this CD will get tons of airplay 'round this place....and where ever we travel.

Ellen

kwl - Posted - 05/29/2013:  11:52:09

You folks are making me envious. I am waiting for mine to arrive in Pennsylvania. I will be patient. I will be patient. 

Ken

Davidprat - Posted - 05/29/2013:  13:23:35

I received the CD today, really fast shipping form the States to Barcelona! First We played the CD at my wife restaurant, then another listening in the car, next will be in the workshop while I make some banjo, I hope this will make me be a better maker;)
Some tracks sounds a bit John Hartford, others more Trad. bluegrass,some newgrass, Oldtimy... In some tunes your playing makes my think in John Balch's style, maybe because you both are in TN.:)

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/29/2013:  15:49:25

Ellen,

Thanks! I'm glad you are enjoying the recording. Perhaps part of the reason you like THE BANJO NEVER SLEEPS is that I had help from Chris Thile (mandolin & Fiddle) and Josh Williams (guitar). WAITING FOR THE STARS TO SHINE was recorded with the great Tim May (mandolin & Dobro) and Mark McWherter (guitar).

Ken,

Hold on, its been mailed. Which leads me to something...If any you have ordered but not yet received your copy please let me know, I don't want to mess up and miss anyone.

David,

I'm glad that your CD has arrived. The postage from the US was surprisingly inexpensive  quick. I'm happy that you are enjoying it. Both the folks you mentioned, John Hartford & John Balch are musical heroes of mine so I consider that very high praise indeed.

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/30/2013:  09:58:10

Still waiting with bated breath here in Michigan.

Kaelri - Posted - 05/30/2013:  11:48:34

Dan said,

"Thanks! I'm glad you are enjoying the recording. Perhaps part of the reason you like THE BANJO NEVER SLEEPS is that I had help from Chris Thile (mandolin & Fiddle) and Josh Williams (guitar).WAITING FOR THE STARS TO SHINE was recorded with the great Tim May (mandolin & Dobro) and Mark McWherter (guitar)."

Wow, thanks bunches for the back story on that song "The Banjo Never Sleeps, & the others.  I will bet that was a fun time in the recording studio! I wondered about some of these songs, ..ie..how they got written, recorded..etc..but I didn't want to hijack your nice Luthier thread for that. Not only am I intrigued by how banjos are made...but also the making of music.  

Ellen

Edited by - Kaelri on 05/30/2013 11:49:07

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/30/2013:  20:26:32

Dave,

Just in case I've made a mistake I'll send one out in the morning. If it turns out to be an extra  feel free to pass it on to someone wh would enjoy it.

Ellen,

Don't worry about taking this forum to Cuba... All of it has to do with this Luthiers Life!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/31/2013:  05:00:04

THURSDAY...

Today two of my granddaughters came to the shop and were great help. The shop had gotten to be such a mess and you've never seen such sweeping and vacuuming in all your live long days! The place took on a completely new look. Clean!

After all of her exertions Amber (who is quite a fine artist) sat down for a drawing session.

And I caught Abby cleaning the small lathe.

This is the way I do fifth string capo spikes. This particular banjo needed 3 of them. Here every thing is ready.

First I cut the head off of a spike. This is what I use for a drill bit in my drill motor. I locate the spike hole by centering and placing the bit/spike against the string, Then pulling the string out of the way I drill the pilot hole.

Next I place a spike into one of the holes. The tang aims towards the first string.

Using this small ball peen hammer I drive the spike down.

The fretwire on this instrument isshort enough that the top of the spike is too tall. So I file the top of the spike down.

Using a fret crowning file I re-shape the head of the spike.

Then I sand it smooth.

Lastly I re-black the top of the spike.

More soon...

anderjoh - Posted - 05/31/2013:  15:06:31

HEY, that's my banjo he's putting spikes in!!

And they work great.  Thanks Dan.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/31/2013:  19:36:53

John,

You are so welcome! Thanks for bringing your banjo by!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/01/2013:  12:18:13

MINI-BANJO 123

I have received a whole bunch of requests for Mini-Banjos, so I decided that I'd better make a few. There have been all sorts of reasons folks wanted one of these sweeties... Some people wanted one for backpacking, traveling, canoeing, camping and as a introductory banjo for their children and grandchildren. At $250 it's easy on the pocketbook! So here I go...

I've got this big ole piece of air dried walnut. It has been in my shop for several years. I'm truing the edges to chop necks out of...

Cutting off the bark and edge truing...

Laying out several necks...

Cutting the neck blanks out using my band saw...

I needed to take a break and send out a few of the CD's that Banjohangout members requested...

Signing the CD's...

Drilling tuner holes...

Cutting out the neck blank...

Truing the surface faces...

More veri soon!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/02/2013:  05:53:27

FINGERBOARDS & SCALE LENGTH JIG

So today is fingerboard making time. It's not a difficult job, just one that really requires close attention. The slots must be accurate. I wasn't completely happy with the scale I used on the earlier run of these. So I've decided to make a completely new and unique scale for these instruments. I'll be showing Dan's quick and dirty but always accurate scale length finder jig.

But first the walnut must visit the saw. Here I'm ripping out fingerboard blanks.

Yesterday when I ripped out the neck blanks I foud this hidden knot...

This is what we do here with things like this.

Here is the jig. Simple for the  dyslexic (me). Here is how it works.

A fixed nut and tuner are hooked at one end of a extruded aluminum bar. An "L" shaped fixture is clamped down the bar with the nut at the length needed.

Here it is being measured for clamping.

The smallest string from the planned set is being used and brought to pitch.

A old aluminum yard stick is being used for the template.

A knife is used like a slide to determine the note points. Then it is used to mark the fret points on the side of the ruler. Oh a tuner is used to show the 1/2 tone point.  

Notches are next cut into the edge of the ruler for the fret slot fixture to follow.

The fret cutting fixture in action.

Back at the jig a fingerboard is checked for accuracy. Should you choose to make one of these don't skip this step. If your template is not accurate then your fingerboard will not be accurate and you want to know now, not after the instrument is complete.

Back soon...

jbalch - Posted - 06/02/2013:  06:58:46

That fret layout is fascinating.

Folks - in case you don't know it - Dan's banjos have the BEST intonation I've ever experienced. 

LIKE A FOOL - I traded an awesome vintage tubaphone banjo he re-necked for me.  It went to great young player: Rebekah Weiler.  She really bonded with the instrument at the time.  As much as I loved it - I decided it would be nice to see it in her hands for a while.

But when I had that banjo, it was awesome in many aspects.  One of the most noticeable characteristics was absolutely PERFECT intonation. Don't take my word for it (after all I'm a tone deaf banjo picker).  But the excellence of that neck was witnessed by non other than my friend Jack Pearson ( jackpearson.com/  - Jack is a world class slide guitarist with the most discriminating ear of anyone I've ever met). He told me I was CRAZY to let than banjo out of my possession  specifically because of the neck & intonation. Oh well ...  another great one that got away.

Edited by - jbalch on 06/02/2013 07:02:21

Paul Meredith - Posted - 06/02/2013:  10:00:04

I'm astonished by this method of fret layout.  Since it implicitly takes into account all of the variables, I am not surprised that it gives a superior result.  Marvelous!

Dave1climber - Posted - 06/02/2013:  10:26:01

Dan

Why do you use the smallest string and not one of the other ones, such as the largest?

Dave

kwl - Posted - 06/02/2013:  13:56:29

Dan, the CD arrived yesterday. I can't stop listening to it! I'm addicted. Needless to say, I am enjoying it very much. Thanks for great music.

Ken

Paul R - Posted - 06/02/2013:  15:00:54

Ingenious method, Dan! I'm sure you're using a very accurate tuner, too.

Shawn Hoover - Posted - 06/02/2013:  17:10:24

I love it, Dan. Just the one number and the rest are notes. Brilliant.

Did you make the knife?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/02/2013:  18:48:48

John,

I remember that banjo. I wonder does Rebecca still have that one?

Paul,

Thanks it does work great for me.

Ken,

Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying the CD.

Dave,

The first or smallest string will be the one we measure true scale from. The rest are slightly compensated or longer.

Paul,

Yes a good tuner is imperative  for this.

Shawn,

Yes, I made the knife. I've got a whole drawer of special made knives. I buy up old used up pro butcher knives, cut off a chunk of steel and make a new knife whenever I think I need on. They are quick and easy and cheep because I have plenty of great wood for handles.

tendogman - Posted - 06/02/2013:  20:26:45

Dan,

That banjo looks like a Morgan Monroe MB-50 Rocky Top. That's the same one that I have. A good banjo with a nice sound to it.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/03/2013:  04:01:02

Bob,

I think that is correct. The one I put spikes in that is.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/03/2013:  19:42:58

45,000 READS!!!

NEW MINI-BANJO

What a combination. 45,000 reads and a new Mini-Banjo...Whooie! Boy does this make my day.

Anyway this sweet La Voca was born today. She is the first of many (I hope) Knowles Mini-Banjos. There have been a couple of improvements from the ones that I built to take out on the boat. I'll be offering this one for sale in the classifieds, just as soon as I am finished posting this. This will be a perfect travel companion, a first banjo for grandkids and kids and just a great knock around instrument.

Here are her specs. (not spectacles either!).

10" rim with Fiberskyn head

Walnut neck

walnut fingerboard

D'Adderio strings

guitar type tuners

Dowel stick

And lastly a link to a video of me pickin' her! ENJOY!!!

youtube.com/watch?v=ci_3ugdtKh..._embedded

tendogman - Posted - 06/04/2013:  05:08:40

Dan,

Now that's a sweet little banjo. I watched the video and it sounds wonderful......

Dave1climber - Posted - 06/04/2013:  05:11:43

        Sweeeeeet!

jbalch - Posted - 06/04/2013:  05:15:35

What a great travel banjo that would be. And hand-made too. 

...Love the frainlng scoop.

fungusgeek - Posted - 06/05/2013:  14:27:05

How is the head tensioned?  I'm missing something here.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/05/2013:  18:18:09

Bob, Dave & John,

Thanks I'm glad you like it!

Jon,

The head is pre tensioned. I guess a better way of describing it might be it has a fixed tensioned and so is not later adjusted.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/05/2013:  19:05:59

6-5-2013

TAMPIN' THE TURNER

Yesterday Debra went over to Memphis, we took my mother to catch the City of New Orleans (a Amtrack train). She's traveling back to California. What an amazing lady. 87 years young and is traveling by train, by herself...

We got home a bit after midnight last night and so started out a bit slow today.

My neighbors (from the big Civil War house across the street) sold me this LaPavoni Europiccola espresso press a few days ago. Y'all know how much I love coffee (yes, yes sez Tom Bergan) and all  of the fun stuff there is to fool with when foolin' with the delightful bean. I've wanted one of these for years so when Darrell offered me this one at a nearly gift price, I jumped. When I got it home I found that it was missing the portafilter basket and a tamper. No bigie, I went on line and ordered a basket. It came yesterday sometime. I figured I'd be able to use one of my other tampers and so didn't order one. Well none of the other tampers that I have fit, so this morning I made one...

ah yes now you have figured out where all this mess was leading!

By the way this post is dedicated to my friend Denton Jordan (woodturner here on the Hangout) whose son just left today to be in the Air Force.

The above photo was lifted from the internet... my maker has a chrome base.

I first chucked up a nice hunk of walnut in my small lathe and went to gouging!

After a shoulder was formed the work piece was flipped around and re-chucked so that I could turn it off of the end.

After a bit of turning the tamper shape was formed and sanded. So I coated it with some shellac.

To slick and shine the finish a bit I burnish it with my fingers. The piece is rubbed (as it spins) until it becomes rather warm.

Next it is parted from the rest of the walnut hunk.

After sanding and finishing the top, this is what it looked like.

Although there is no coffee in the basket (and no espresso machine or portafilter) this is kinda how it's used...

Before I went on to teaching this afternoon I finished up this bridge reset for my pal Jon Eaton.

Here I'm preparing the finish around the bridge for buffing.

Reaming out glue from the peg holes.

And oiling the fingerboard...

most certainly, more soon...

Kaelri - Posted - 06/05/2013:  19:53:26

Still keeping busy I see. I do like those mini banjos. I will keep one of those in mind after the husband and I find a new-old house to buy. I think one of those will encourage friends and family to want to try and join in when we next have a family jam get together. 

BTW, got the CDS this morn. Will listen to the "Baptist" while we are out and about this weekend. Can't wait.Couldn't help but sample it a bit and it sounded good in quick clips. 

Ellen

Dave1climber - Posted - 06/06/2013:  11:37:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dave1climber

 

Still waiting with bated breath here in Michigan.

---

Breathing again, the wait is over!!  

kwl - Posted - 06/06/2013:  14:34:20

Ah, but listening to the album will take your breath away.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/06/2013:  19:30:51

Ellen,

Thanks. I do hope you enjoy the whole thing.

Dave,

I'm glad it finally got to you...I hope you enjoy it!

Kenneth...thanks...

Pine Cone - Posted - 06/06/2013:  22:22:49

That mini banjo looks great, but I spent my instrument budget on an old German fiddle from another BHO member a few days before you posted your ad. 

Your CD is getting daily play in my car and keeps sounding better and better!

DEmery - Posted - 06/07/2013:  07:51:16

For those that find the mini-banjo interesting - I am fortunate to have one for the grand-girls. It is a fun little piece; and while very playable -the banjo is a fine way to introduce "little people" to the banjo. David E.

Dave1climber - Posted - 06/08/2013:  07:41:16

Dan

I am enjoying your CD, some great tunes.  The first CD that you sent turned up at a near by home when they were on vacation due to an error in the house number.  I will find it a good home.  

Tom Berghan - Posted - 06/08/2013:  18:16:34

Ah!  Dan!

You finally got yerself a "La Pavoni" manual pump!  (post above)  Oh man . . . that's a fine machine!  I've had mine for something like 5 or six years now.  What is your grinder?  I have forgotten what you use. (actually the most important part of the barista's equipment)  I have the "Rocky" Rancilio adjustable burr grinder.  People probably think you and I are nuts (you think?) . . . but maybe they just don't appreciate how much a great cup of espresso contributes to one's life!    Part of the Knowles secret to fine lutherie no doubt!

I have been performing on Orpheus the Magic Banjo quite a lot lately.  The Knowles "Banjo d'Amore" never fails to make jaws drop in awe of its stunning  beauty and sound.  Best Wishes, Tom

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/08/2013:  19:57:31

Scott,

I sure am glad that you are enjoying the new CD. All the comments about it make all of the work worthwhile. Don't worry about the Mini-Banjo I'll make you one if I don't have an extra when you are ready!

David,

That is exactly what the earlier ones I made were for (kids that is...) I do hope your girls are enjoying it.

Dave,

 Thanks for passing it along... sorry about the missed number.

Tom,

You are absoloutly correct, espresso is the luthiers secret weapon!

I've lusted after one of these LaPavoni's for years. When my neighbor offered it to me I could hardly believe my luck. It was missing the basket and tamper, but believe me at the price he sold it to me I wasn't worried... Even on first pull it made a extremely tasty espresso. I feel so fortunate! I'm getting the hang of it as I go along, each shot looks & tastes better. It reminders me of the espresso I used to drink back in my college days.

The grinder that I have is a Capresso 565 conical. Unlike the photo mine is black. I'm sure there are better. Someday maybe I'll get a LaPavoni grinder to go with the maker! Now I'm wanting one of these "Rocky" grinders... if it's good enough for Tom it's good enough fer me!

rudy - Posted - 06/09/2013:  09:22:00

My Espresso machine of choice with home-turned tamper.  I bonded .090" polished stainless plate to the bottom, though.

jbalch - Posted - 06/11/2013:  08:20:28

Dan:

I finally tried some of your walnut stain on a banjo head.  The photo does not do it justice.  The look is GREAT for a walnut or dark wood banjo or any OLD instrument where an authentic aged look is required.

It looks genuinely OLD (like some of the very old heads I've seen on pre-1900 banjos).  The look is very natural and organic - not contrived like some commercial stains I've tried. The color is a little more brown than the photo reveals.

See my blog banjohangout.org/myhangout/blo...p?id=1896

Edited by - jbalch on 06/11/2013 08:36:25

Dan Knowles - Posted - 06/18/2013:  17:53:19

John,

The head looks great!!! It's nice the ancient color the walnut creates.

BTW

Here is a link to a video of Banjer stuff that I uploaded this morning... I hope you enjoy it!

banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...;id=17093