Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/10/2013:  20:09:30

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY....

We (my band CHILL TONIC) were in our makeshift Knowles String Instrument front room recording studio making a few demo recordings yesterday evening until around 1AM. I came home and went to bed. Got up today and worked on finishes and studio pickup! These photos are a bit out of order... I'm not sure how I did this but I did. Oh well, lets us see how confusing I can make this!

The Pharaoh's finish sprayed it received its first finish sanding and buff out. unfortunately I had a spot or two of rub through. I have the technology though so back into the spray booth it went...

Back out today I sanded on the finish some . When complete it will be wet sanded to 1000 grit.

Back to yesterday, sort of like Back to the Future isn't it? My client wish to ha a c-rod, I don't really like the metal ones, so I turned one from Macassar ebony.

IHere it's getting a few coats of French Polish or perhaps a better term would be friction polish. Later it too entered the spray booth for a top coat.

Today, three guitars, three broken pegheads & three gluings...

Here are all three going together...That's Keaton helping me there in the middle.

My grandsons Braden & Keaton helping me pick up and roll up wires from yesterdays recording session.

tomori!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/14/2013:  06:07:00

MONDAY MORNING CHECKIN' IN

My little fellas went back to La Verne yesterday evening (Ryland, Braden & Keaton). We always meet their dad in Clarksville, TN. They had been here for their Fall break of 9 days. It's been a great visit. I don't remember ever having a Fall break, let alone a 9 day one. Yes I know I never started school on Aug. 5 or some such day either! So this morning I've a few photos from Saturday.

Saturday morning (which is always my luthierie teaching time) was a very nice busy time with Eric & Kevin making good progress. Eric got his neck glued to the guitar body and Kevin got his fretted. Me "I'm with you fellas", worked on the lathe making some special bracket nuts for Pharaoh 2. I'm gonna try to put this banjo together today and play it. This is perhaps the most exciting time for a builder!

Here I'm turning one them. I really like brass, it is so soft that I can use my wood working tools to turn it. The ware is only slightly different that say ebony.

I'm making each similar but a bit different, I want them to be unique. I'll need 18. Let's see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7,8...

Fret instructing time. Even though this is Kevin's second fret job he still requires a bit of instruction. Eric will be doing the same thing in a couple of weeks (after I get back fro California). Here I'm helping with final fret board leveling, we are using a piece of sandpaper glued to a 1/4" plate glass.

Here I'm showing fret preparation, cutting the fretwire tang.

I talked to Ken VandeKieft yesterday (the K of M&K Productions) and he told me that someone from the BHO (Living in Montana) urged their parents to come see the show. They bought 3 tickets. THANK YOU!

More later today...

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/14/2013:  18:38:20

MONDAY EVENING CHECKIN' OUT!

I just got in from a board meeting at the Robert E. Lee Academy for the Arts. It was our annual one and it lasted about 2  hours. There was so much to discuss; budgets, renovations, teachers, classes and fund raisers. It's good to be part of a community based Art school like this.

This morning I began to assemble the Pharaoh 2 banjo. I needed to make a ferule for the coordinator rod/ dowel stick. So I went down to the plumbing supply house and got a brass fitting that I turned on the lathe into my part.

I cut a couple of decorative bands into it...

Earlier I had aged a good deal of the hardware. I thought it would make a nice contrast to the brass of the rim. Here they are attached to the rim...

I don't remember where I saw this idea, I feel like it was here on the BHO...I just don't remember. But I liked it and have been waiting for a chance to stick it on one of my banjos. Instead of a regular tailpiece I've brazed small brass pins to the tension hoop to hold the string ends. This should make for better tone (due to the continuity of connection) and more stable tuning.

Head on, neck connected I scrape the extra finish off of the binding.

More putting it together tomorrow...

tendogman - Posted - 10/16/2013:  11:33:15

Dan,

I just want to let you know that I finally made the trip down to my Grandpa - Pop Campbell's grave in Kain-tuck-ee. I sat there and played his old banjo for him for about an hour. Thanks again for doing the beautiful restoration on his banjo.

Bob

Pop Campbell's Grave

My Grandparents Grave

Playing Pop's old banjo for him

 

jbalch - Posted - 10/16/2013:  14:18:12

Very cool Bob!  What an honorable thing for you to do.

It is priceless to see that old banjo ready for another generation of use and enjoyment.

Edited by - jbalch on 10/16/2013 14:19:09

C Nyal de Kaye - Posted - 10/16/2013:  14:36:19

A lovely story Bob, thanks for telling us all about it.

tendogman - Posted - 10/16/2013:  19:40:22

It was a huge honor for me to play that banjo for him, 50 years after his death. I know he enjoyed it because when I checked into the motel. I was walking my dog before dinner. I looked down and there was a $20.00 bill laying in the grass. I guess, he liked hearing the music so much that he left me a tip, for dinner. You never know..... I told him Thanks..... :-)

Kaelri - Posted - 10/16/2013:  19:49:51

wow! that is a neat story. Especially the part you just added about the "tip". 

My family who played two generations back never handed down their instruments. (dobros, mandos, guitars). When the family member who played passed, the immediate famiy had the instrument  sold.  I have heard wonderful stories about them....but it would've been neat to have admired or strummed one or two of what they loved. I hope my loved ones find someone to love my banjo and fiddle after I am gone. 

tendogman - Posted - 10/16/2013:  20:21:32

Kaelri, that's sad...  My father gave me, my Grandpa's banjo over 40 years ago. I kept it hoping that someday I'd learn how to play it. After all those years I finally know how too. At the age of 56, you're never too old to learn. I only hope that someone in the family will have the same feeling that I have and picks on it, after I'm gone as well.....

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/17/2013:  20:01:39

Bob,

Thank your for sharing . It's stories like this that makes my job worthwhile...I like the $20 tip too!!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/17/2013:  20:34:54

THURSDAY CATCHIN' UP

We are getting ready for our trip to California and man does that make us busy!  I've a banjo to complete, a guitar to get ready, new demo recordings mixed (& mastered) and a new bio completed. Makes me tired just thinkin' about it. I've got till 4 PM tomorrow when Debra and I begin the first leg of our adventure. We'll head off to Memphis and prepare to board our flight Saturday morning before the sun even thinks about rising.

Here I'm working on mixing the recordings. We had another great recording session last night. CHILL TONIC is an amazing band to work with. In two nights we have managed to record 8 tunes, album quality. Last night we were able to lay down the SUNFLOWER DANCE and GHOST STORY.

I made a 5th. string pip for the Pharaoh 2 banjo. I like to install them in line with the fifth fret and cut them down to where they behave like just another fret. Here I'm rounding the top.

I had a small corner (edge) rub through so it was back in the spray booth for just a bit more finish build. Here I'm carefully wet sanding, I want no sand through!

Buffed and shined on go the tuners. These are nickel plated Gotoh machines that I've installed ebony knobs and put a nice patina on.

Wala!

Oil on the fingerboard... I just liked this shot.

Here I'm laying out the fret slots.

And cutting them...

I'm making a couple of bridges for this banjo. I'd like my client to have some extra tonal choices. Here I'm laying out the string slots. This is an ebony and persimmon bridge.

And cutting them...

moire seen!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 10/17/2013 20:36:08

tendogman - Posted - 10/17/2013:  20:49:20

Dan,

The $20.00 tip just blow me away..... I haven't found anything above a quarter since I was a kid. I know that it was from my Grandpa. That told me something........  But the true is, If it wasn't for you and John Balch this would have never happened.... The fact that I decided to learn how to play a banjo was one thing but to finally have this banjo restored, after over 4 decades. Well, that's totally another thing. I want to "THANK" the both of you. You guys has made my whole family happy. Thanks again and again........... :-)

Bob

P.S. In the early A.M., I'm off to Parris Island to attend my son Justin's graduation for the United States Marine Corp........ So proud..........

C Nyal de Kaye - Posted - 10/17/2013:  21:24:51

Happy days are here again Bob, thanks for telling us your good news.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/18/2013:  18:34:34

Bob,

You are so welcome! It was a privilege to work on your grandpas banjo.

PS. We are off from our Paris island headed to Cal-a-forn-ia.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/18/2013:  18:54:34

CHECKIN' INN FROM THE KNIGHTS INN..IN MEMPHIS

We (my wife Debra & I) are spending this evening in a motel near the airport in Memphis. Wake up call is 3 AM for a 6 AM flight to Chicago then on to Sacramento. Hope that I can wind down soon and get some shut eye...I love to be awake during a flight. I'm like a kid every time I go up, enjoying the feeling of the heavens.

You may ask, Did ya ge get the banjo finished and ready to travel on time? The answer is yes! In the process I made several bridges each with its own distinctive look and sound. Here I'm beginning to decorate a persimmon and ebony bridge by first drilling a small hole in the center leg of the bridge. This is a relatively shallow hole.

The hole was ten filled with crushed turquoise and cyno.

The stone is leveled making a nice turquoise dot. Next most of the edges are eased...

Then the bridge is buffed...

Here is another bridge in process...ebony cap, maple & Brazilian rosewood base... My favorite though, is of bodock (Osage orange) and ebony...

Here my pal Will Turner tries out Pharaoh 2...

And Will caught me sending it through its paces...After I get to the left coast I'll try and shoot some good clear photos of the Pharaoh 2 banjo.

NEXT POST CAL-A-FORN-I-A

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 10/18/2013 18:55:31

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/19/2013:  07:36:12

Dan

I have been watching the progress of this banjo and as always you have created a work of Art.  Have fun out on the left coast.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/19/2013:  21:50:33

Dave,

I really appreciate your kind words...Thanks so much.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/20/2013:  23:06:42

PHARAOH DELIVERED!

At long last the envelope may be opened, the paper withdrawn and the name revealed...

the new owner of PHARAOH 2 is none other than my wonderful long term friend KEN VANDEKIEFT of Modesto, California!

Long tail with this one... ah someday I may tell it too! Needless to say Kenny did not know it was coming to him on this California trip. I suppose he would have if he had kept up on this post!

Here he is with a happy grin! This is the very best time for a luthier. When the piece that has been so lovingly crafted goes into its new keepers hands.

What follows are some photos of Pharaoh 2, I hope you enjoy them.

Tomorrow  CALIFORNIA TABLETOP LUTHING!

ah yes a little reminder of the house concert on Saturday!

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 10/21/2013:  02:27:43

As always Dan, beautiful craftsmanship!

darlo - Posted - 10/21/2013:  02:40:32

mr knowles
many thanks for sharing your day it truly has been an eye opener ,and given me a chance to look at what happens if and when things go wrong and also to fully appreciate the skill required to achieve it many thanks

mark

frailin - Posted - 10/21/2013:  16:38:37

You know him.  You love him.  Now see him and hear him play.  

As a group, the North American Banjo Builders are amazing people.  Now that you've met Randy and Ken, it's time for you to meet Dan.  

I'm opening up Dan Knowles Show for a 72 hour free airing.  As with Randy and Ken, Dan is a major contributor to the Banjo Building thread.  And as much as you've enjoyed him on the printed page, wait until you hear/see him in person.  

The link is here.  http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/202324/48/#3433748​​​

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/21/2013:  17:26:59

Marvin,

Thanks that is high praise coming from you!

Mark,

Thanks for reading! I figure that those mistakes are part of part of my day and so... I guess that they are a real part of A Luthiers Life!

Craig,

Oh my... Oh my... Oh my... Thank you for such a wonderful interview!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/21/2013:  17:50:28

RIPON REPARIN'

Mondays news from Ripon, California.

Last night my brother Kenneth (Kenny to me) and his wife Lisa came over to my moms and we went out to a wonderful Mexican restaurant. We just don't have ones quite like this back home in Paris. I had some of the best Mole' that I've had in years. Of course we did some family photos and so here is one of my Mother, Brother and me.

Kenny VandeKieft left his Webber Octave Mandolin with me for a set up. It's times like this that I really miss my shop. Still it is a great test of my improvising nature. We went to Harbor Freight and found some diamond jewelers files and to a hobby shop where I got some cyno and accelerator. My moms kitchen table was the perfect workbench.  Fortunately Webber supply a very cool wrench to adjust the bridge height.

After adjusting the truss rod. I found that the "G" strings were too low and the "A" & "E" strings were to high (at the nut) so I first went to filling the "G" string nut slots. Here goes a bit of baking soda into the slot...

Next the cyno and acclerator...

Then filing the slot back to depth...

Because both my mom and wife were shooting photos I figured I'd include both of their work here...

After filing the high strings to where they need to be I tuned it up and had a big time playing this wonderful instrument. I liked it so well that I did a set of very detailed measurements...just to think about!

Tonight... VandeKiefts, then overnight at our daughter Jenny's home, then tomorrow Knights Ferry!

DEmery - Posted - 10/21/2013:  17:57:33

Dan it seems luthier work follows you everywhere you go. Hope you have a fine time on the west coast. David E.

Kaelri - Posted - 10/21/2013:  18:49:41

The Pharaoh 2 is a beautiful piece of art & detailed so well! Ken looks like a very happy man! 

The wonderful ladies in your life took great pics as you became a "field medic" on the front lines, improvising and finding supplies where you could. Thanks to them for helping to contribute to this never-dull thread. That is a beautiful mandolin. It was in good hands.

Ellen

ronwalker49 - Posted - 10/22/2013:  00:51:02

Hi Dan...I recently tried to fill the nut slot on one of my Mandolins because I had cut it too deep while trying to jewel the action in better, but I must have done something wrong...The string in question is the "top" A string and it now sounds rather dull in comparison to the A below it....I never used an accelerator...What kind of accelerator should I use...Thank you...Ron

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/23/2013:  09:48:04

David,

The work sure does. I just wish my tools & spare parts could follow me as well! I worked on my daughter Jenny"s guitar yesterday, it had a crack (repaired) and needed a new bone saddle... all I could fine in Oakdale was plastic. I'll be heading into Modesto today and see if I can do better!

Ellen,

I couldn't survive without the ladies in my life! That is a wonderful Octave Mandolin! Bruce Webber does amazing work!

Ron,

The way to check nut height or string depth is not too difficult and I guess that would be the first step.

1. Check the neck relief... Hold the 1 st. or 4 th. string down at fret 1 and at fret 12. Check the distance (string to fret) at fret 6 (this varies according to string gage and how hard a player attacks the strings. In general though .010 to .020 is a good start. Do not skip this step!

2. Hold the string (being checked) down between frets 2 & 3, you should just be able to have a couple of atoms of air between the string and the fret. This does take some practice to get just right. You want the nut to behave as if it were just another fret (this includes the 5th. string pip also.

3. go to cutting with the saw or file of choice.

Oh ya... what to do when it is cut to deep as even happens to me on occation.

A. Place a small dot of cynoacrylate glue (super glue) in the bottom of the slot.

B. Add a small amount of baking soda mixed with nut filings to it. Pack the slot full!

C. Add more cyno on top.

D. Dob a small amount of Cyanoacrylate accelerator on top. Be careful not to get this on your finish... it can mess it up. You can get this stuff at your local hobby shop or beauty supply place (nail glue accelerator).

ronwalker49 - Posted - 10/23/2013:  11:42:38

Thank you Dan...I think I can do it and if not, I'll practice until I can...

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/23/2013:  12:38:32

Ron,

You are so welcome. With just a bit of practice you'll be able to do it!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/23/2013:  12:59:33

HUMP DAY TALKIN' 'BOUT TUESDAY

Monday evening was spent pickin' with Ken VandeKieft (Did you see the video he posted under my name?) banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=44416 . Anyway we spent Monday night through this morning with our daughter Jenny and had a wonderful time! 

Jenny has a guitar which I built her years ago and it has develouped a crack in the top which needed fixing. It's saddle also needed changing so yesterday morning I did some more table top Luthing. Here is the crack...

Here's a little but very useful trick. First rub thinned glue all over the crack, then pump it in with a suction cup.

Under clamps...

Later in the day I removed the clamps. I've got to run into town and see if I can find a bone saddle blank.

Later in the morning we went shopping... hunting HO railroad spikes, ate at a taco truck (wonderful food!), then went to Knights Ferry. Here I'm dressed as Laurence of Arabia inside the Knights Ferry covered bridge posing where I'm suppose to be!

I did some small studies in paint down on the Stanislaus river... Here's Jenny on a rock...

The painting...

A couple of interesting rocks...

A little painting I called BUDDHA ON THE HALF SHELL.

more soon!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/25/2013:  08:08:50

SHOW TYME

Thursday my good friend Ken VandeKieft  lent me his new Pharaoh 2 banjo so we could perform for my mothers friends at here retirement community here in Ripon, California. Kenny did GREAT! This former Almost Brother (one of the original) was the perfect accompanist!

Today we are off to play terrorist (?), Tourist...My mom, daughter, wife & I are heading to Yosemite National Park for the day. This will be great fun!

REMEMBER SATURDAY NIGHT!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/26/2013:  10:15:04

YO-See-MIGHT-TEE

Friday we (Debra, my Mother & me) went out to Oakdale, picked up my daughter Jenny and made a trek to Yosemite National park. 2 1/2 hours travel (each way) and worth every moment of it! What a magnificent and majestic place. 

We ascended up from the great Central Valley on Highway 120 passing Knights Ferry, Don Pedro reservoir and then up Priests Grade. Nearing the park we went through miles of burned out country side, the remains of the great Rim Fire. Stopping at one of the overlooks we saw a vista of destruction. Everywhere blackened trees and burned over ground.

Going to Yosemite was like going into a fine restaurant that has a large and wonderful  menu... it can't be all taken in at one time.  Having only an afternoon (needing weeks) we visited the valley. I could spend ten times as much time as we had viewing in awe and amazement this magical place.

I started the day with an empty camera and wound up with 479 photos. I couldn't stop shooting until the batteries finally gave up the ghost! This outcropping was especially fascinating to me. The way the light played on it thru out the day was amazing. I believe it is called Cathedral Spire. There is a video on Youtube of a fella standing on the top of this thing... it makes my feet sweat!

El Capitan

We saw some climbers on the side of El Capitan... camping walking around as if nothing concerned them at all. The here marks the places where their tents were pitched.

This made me nervous too!

This on the other hand was quite calming... the beautiful carved looking bark on this pine.

My daughter Jenny and I by the Merced river (I wonder if the Queen could ride this?

All of us...

Oh yes I almost forgot the most famous of all Half Dome...

One more add for tonights concert.

More soon!

banjeaux bob - Posted - 10/26/2013:  17:02:36

I know how stark and devastating the area in a burn can look.The consolation I get is also knowing that it won't be long and new vegetation will be growing in it's place.The green will seem more brilliant and vibrant than what preceded it.I'm sure the animals have already started to moving through.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/27/2013:  02:24:15

Bob

I certainly hope that you are correct.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/27/2013:  12:00:49

SATURDAY NIGHT @ THE VANDEKIEFT'S

The long promised house concert at The VandeKieft's home went off like gang busters last night. What a wonderful evening it was for me. Family, old & new friends in abundance great food & drink and wonderful fellowship. I love playing house concerts! I can get so close to my audience and really connect. Interestingly we had three audience members who had been sent by one of our BHO members from Montana!

Kenny helped me out again during this event. I suppose the thought of so many folks close to each of us being there made us a bit nervous. Both of us had a good laugh (before the show) over the nerves got over it and went out and gave our best.

Here we are in Kennys bedroom getting warmed up...

And pickin'...

And sawin'...

After the show, my daughter enny showed me how to play the saw...

We had a good ole' pickin' later... here I'm relaxing, letting the banjo sing.

This little fella would require a complete post... more on him later...

More soon!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/29/2013:  07:39:22

SUNDAY, STANISLAUS RIVER TIME

Today I'm getting a slow start. Yesterday we got up at 4:15 AM and drove to the airport in Sacramento, California for a Southwest flight with one long 5 hour stopover in Denver. It was a quiet flight and we finally made it into bed around Midnight.

Sunday afternoon though was spent with my Daughter Jenny, my Mom and my wife Debra wondering a park on the Stanislaus river a few miles outside of Oakdale, California. The water was up a bit and the leaves beginning to turn as we walked its shores.

I shot quite a few photos of the water and its movement all the while thinking about a painting involving water. Here is a neat vortex formed by the river passing a tree root.

I saw this cow skull in the bark of an ancient tree....I hope you see it too!

The ladies walking back to the car at dusk...

We went for dinner at a very nice Vietnamese restaurant in Oakdale and had some wonderful spring rolls and soup...

Jenny pulled out a couple of her Knowles instruments. I'd forgotten about these. Here is the peghead of a soprano guitar from around 1995.

A woojo (wooden toped banjo) peghead from around 1990. This is all wood marquetry and is one of my personal favorites!

NEXT TIME, PARIS BACK IN THE SHOP

DEmery - Posted - 10/29/2013:  10:50:25

Well Dan you have had a big time with family out there. While being on the extreme right coast it has seemed as if we got to visit your folks. Have fun during the rest of your travels and we will see you back in the shop. David E.

Edited by - DEmery on 10/29/2013 10:50:57

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/30/2013:  05:47:49

Thanks David,

It is amazing how air travel wears a person out! I managed to teach yesterday but that was about all. The bed sure called me early! I will try and make a good decent post tonight.

DEmery - Posted - 10/30/2013:  15:37:14

Dan congratulations again; the Luthier's Life just passed 80,000 views. You started it on December 8th last year and my guess is you will be well in the 90K views by the end of year one. Lots of folks have gotten to know you, your work, and learned much along the way. It wouldn't surprise me to see a few more Knowles banjos flying out of Paris this next year. David E.

Kaelri - Posted - 10/30/2013:  16:48:28

That is so true David; A year ago I had NO idea how much I'd want to own a Knowles Banjo! 

And Congrats Dan on the 80,000 PLUS views. I know I've learned a lot in these pages and my appreciation of lutherie  (sp?) has grown exponentially. 

Ellen

C Nyal de Kaye - Posted - 10/30/2013:  17:10:06

I'm with Ellen and David on the learning curve. Thanks Dan.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/30/2013:  18:20:02

THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/30/2013:  18:39:37

TUESDAY

Today was a busy day. Among the various instruments that I worked on was this stop sign shaped mountain banjo. This little beauty is in rough shape but my job here is not to make her look  new instead just to keep the deteriorating age at bay.

First I am to fill in a missing part of the back plate. Step one is truing the side of the break that is truest. It's not too bad. Here I lay out the ares which need truing.

After chiseling the majority of the wood away, then filed true, I mark the opposite shape through this piece of paper.

Marked...ready to saw...

Sawed then sanded into shape, the timber is fitted...

After final shaping (marking and cutting the ends) and gluing I clean off the glue squeeze out. I've used hot hide glue and it just rolls right off...

The old and new (aged) nails are driven in...

Edges are burnished to look like the other edges...

MORE TOMORROW

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/30/2013:  19:34:32

Dan

We should be thanking you for posting so faithfully.  There has not been a post that I did not enjoy.

Thanks,  Dave

Noah Cline - Posted - 10/30/2013:  19:50:31

Looking forward to seeing this mountain 'jo.

C Nyal de Kaye - Posted - 10/30/2013:  19:59:36

What is the history of that Mountain Banjo please Dan?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/30/2013:  20:30:01

Dave,

It's comments like yours that keep me coming back.

Noah,

There will be more tomorrow...

C Nyal,

I receive instruments from all over and this banjo was was shipped to me from one of my northern clients who bought it at an antique auction. It is probably from around 1900. Beyond this I don't know a whole lot about it.

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 10/30/2013 20:31:29

C Nyal de Kaye - Posted - 10/30/2013:  20:41:48

Thank you Dan.

R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 10/30/2013:  21:35:27

Hey Dan - Love reading these posts! Travels and instrument repairs. What a life...How are my Dobsons doing? Hope they're cozy among all the great instruments in Paris!