guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/01/2014:  18:26:36

Dan..very interesting method of roasting coffee beans. Like those piccolo pots.. please post a pic once they have the necks on them..really like to see them.

Pine Cone - Posted - 05/01/2014:  19:44:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by DanKnowles

THURSDAY

What a nice evening! I'm sitting here doing the post listening and watching (sort of) a live Mark Knopfler concert in London. What an immensely musical man. What a great writer. And such a fine guitarist!

 

The dot banjo neck became more dotted today. The large dots are to form a background color for the small dots to burst forth from. This is very like how I paint.

Here I'm drillin' and a drillin'.

---

I've been a huge Mark Knopfler fan for years.   Only got to see him live once back in the late 1980's, but it was at the Concord Pavilion in California which is a great venue. 

Always good to see progress on the Dot.banjo  Busy learning to play more tunes so I will be able to give it the attention and playing it will deserve.  Working on tunes played by my local WOTFA (Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association) chapter including Over the Waterfall, Needlecase, Redwing, and Nail That Catfish to a Tree.

Kaelri - Posted - 05/01/2014:  20:21:28

It is neat to hear you all talking about Mark Knopfler! My 14 yr old  "discovered" him in April and really likes his music. She downloaded an album of his stuff off of Amazon. Kind of cool that she looks for stuff like Mark.  She doesn't like anything most kids these days like! 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/02/2014:  04:54:34

Ellen,

That's proof that great music is not limited to a certain age.

Kaelri - Posted - 05/02/2014:  10:55:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by DanKnowles

Ellen,

That's proof that great music is not limited to a certain age.

---

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/03/2014:  05:28:09

Scott,

This next post will have a bit more progress on Master Dot. Do you have a recording or tab for nail the Catfish?

Ellen,

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/03/2014:  05:51:13

FRIDAY

Have I told y'all that I really like listening to audio books?

No?

Well I do.

A number of years ago when Debra and I were out traveling we started borrowing these recordings from our local library. Now I listen often to them at work. It is interesting how time flies and work gets completed. I turn it on, go to work, then it seams I wakeup and it's 6 PM and there is a bunch of stuff done.

For the past couple of days I've been listening to Frank Delaney's amazing work Ireland (note the green ). It's the story of the last traditional Irish story teller and his stories. This is a work which I return to again and again. I've listened to it several times and I have a copy of the paper version and I've read that several times too. Anyway I'm nearing the end of the book and it always moves me.

Sarge and Cindy McCann from Jackson, Tennessee came by for a work/ visit. It's always good to see them.

Here I'm tightening the bracket shoe bolts on her banjo. I often think that these fittings on some of these overseas banjos are not as close as the should be, they always seam to be coming loose.

I set up her instrument and changed the head to a Fiberskin.

Cindy's banjo is an 11" pot and she wanted to try a 12". So I placed the Ebony in her lap....

More drillin' fer dots...

After installing the days dots, this is what it looks like. Saturday (today), when the glue is dry, I'll level them out and see where it stands...

More soon!

Paul Meredith - Posted - 05/03/2014:  08:10:19

The neck is looking good Dan, you are well into your dotage!

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/03/2014:  08:14:31

Dan

I wouldn't mind waking up and having a project done, or at least some progress.  Your progress is amazing as always, and if what I think is true when done it will be fabulous!!      

Pine Cone - Posted - 05/03/2014:  08:56:44

Dan - You can find a recording and tab for Nail That Catfish to a Tree at the Old-Time Jam website here... oldtimejam.com/wordpress/  You just need to scroll down into the G-tune section.

I like their site and bought the iPad version of Old-Time Machine so I can practice where-ever I want without having to be connected to the internet.  I have a bad tendency to add/drop/modify tunes that I don't know well so the Old Time makes sure I learn a standard version.  If you pay them some money you can even get a download of TablEdit versions of the tab, so you can speed up or slow down the tune due to the magic of MIDI.

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/03/2014:  19:16:11

Paul,

Sir, I have been trying to avoid my dotage!

Dave,

Thanks!

Scott,

Thanks for the link. I've been using Tabledit for years as a teaching, composing and practicing tool. I highly recommend it to any one who wants to learn the instrument.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/05/2014:  04:50:14

MONDAY MORNING VERY BRIGHT

I woke this morning with a start to the sun being up, I thought that we were late getting Chandan to school. I wen in the kitchen checked the clock, whew we were ok. It is strange the sun beating me to rising.

Yesterday I spent landscaping. working on the front yard. Moving soil, moving plants and repositioning the big planters that frame our front walk. So I went to bed early with an honest tiredness. Early.

So this morning as I wait to take the boy to school I'll try and play catchup on the post..

***************************

I suppose the photos tell all but knowing me I'll add a bit of verbiage. Something to chew on, ya know.

**************************

Here my friends we have the slothead dot faced banjo neck. The luthier is laying out the peghead. He has already placed lines to locate the slots even though he plans to make a routing template to finish out the slots after drilling. So here he is marking the placement of the tuner shafts. Soon he will transfer these marks to the peghead side.

See, I told you! The luthier moves the marks for the tuner placement. Next he will measure and mark the actual drill placements. He will drill for the tuner shafts before he cuts the slots. This will make a cleaner interior for the peghead, eliminating drill blow out.

Ah... yes... the luthier now pokes a hole in the exact spot the drill will follow. This small hole will "capture" the tip of the drill placing the drill bit just where it needs to be. Oh look, his first hole is is a bit off... not good Mr. Luthier. You will have to fix it today!

MORE SOON...

DEmery - Posted - 05/05/2014:  05:03:49

Dan how is it going. I've been watching this banjo. Is your approach to cutting and shaping this slot head (head stock) going to be similar to mine? The profile turned out delicate compared to many slot heads that tend to get fat toward the top. As discussed at the time St. Augustine was built; I really like that design especially if the proportions are kept in mind.

This "dot art" fingerboard has to be a first. My imagination doesn't stretch far enough to see the final result. I will keep watching. You have many dots to go. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/05/2014:  05:51:23

David,

All is well here. How are you enjoying your new mountain banjo. It sure is a pretty thing!

Yes, this instrument will have a peghead very similar to St. Augustine's. Like yours I am planning on carving some nice string passes and rounded shapes into it. The main difference will be in how I rough it in. There are several things that I could have done on yours to simplify the process.

DEmery - Posted - 05/06/2014:  08:40:03

Dan the Mountain Banjo is in route from Arizona and should deliver Friday. It did turn out well and the builder was able to take the concept of the Mountain Banjo to a different level. All of the framework of a traditional banjo with all of the amenities of a modern player. It was kept for a week or so to play and he said it got good response from others in his circle of players. I will post some photos when it arrives and settles down.

I would call an check in with you but with your hectic days and trips; I have not wanted to take time. One day maybe you will flip on Skype and we can catch up. David E.  

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/06/2014:  19:34:34

David, 

It was great talking with you today! I think that I am near as excited about your new banjo as you are. I hope you'll post some audio after you have it for a bit! Please never feel like I am too busy to talk, friends are more important than all of the busy ness!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/06/2014:  19:59:00

TUESDAY EVE...

A recording engineer friend of mine, speaking about the then new digital recording world once told me, "Never turn your back on digital Dan, cause it'll bite you on the butt!" 

This morning I found that to be true... not that it had a thing to do with recording...

Twice I tried to make a post, would complete the thing and then loose the whole mess.

I doubt that it had anything to do with Hangout, I just kept turning my back on it!

So now I'll try again.

The van is all  loaded,

Banjos, guitars, coffee tools

and Daddy ancient saw,

Ready for tomorrows road trip.

Vicksburg calls

And the Queen waits.

Vicksburg waits

And the Queen calls.

7 Am, it will seam like heaven heading out at that late hour. After the last several trips of 2:30, ahh yes!

I'm excited by this trip for I'll be meeting up with my pickin' pal Tim May (in Jackson, Tennessee) for the first half of the trip (Vicksburg -Memphis). Then once in Memphis Tyler Andel will climb aboard for the down bound passage (Memphis -Vicksburg). Two of my favorite musicians and two of my favorite friends.

*****************

Monday

I cut out the slot head  and shot a lot of photos of the work on the Dot banjer and so today I shot a few more.  So many in fact that I think that I'll need to spread these out over a couple of posts. Tonight we'll take a look at the way I made the template that I will use with a router to clean the slots drilled into the peghead.

First the template was laid out on a piece of acrylic. Then holes were drilled in each of the four corners of the slots...

Next it was band sawed into shape...

A scroll saw was used to cut out the slots...

Then the cuts were trued with a file and sand paper...

Next time, Doin' It!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 05/06/2014 20:01:50

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/07/2014:  04:33:17

WEDNESDAY AM

This morning I'm leaving late for the Queen in Vicksburg (7 AM) so I figured I'd steal a little time to continue the post.

First out of the shoot, the holes for the tuning machine shafts were drilled. This fixture maintained both the square the parallel of the peghead face...

Next the slots were drilled out and then the router cleaned up the inside faces. on past banjos I have used chisels and files to do this job, the router was much quicker. Then string ramps were carved...

The end of the peghead is ramped at an angle...

Because I couldn't stop here, I started laying out the mountain shapes...

Then the drill went to work...

After a bunch of white dots were installed (and the glue cured overnight) they were leveled...

And more lines were drawn to help establish the ridge & tree lines... Ihave ordered around 1000 more pearl & abalone dots from my supplier, they should arrive while I'm out, so next Tuesday the design should really start to pop!

Next Edition

From

the Queen of the Mississippi

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/07/2014:  06:19:22

Dan

Having made a jig for routing slot heads, does this mean that you will be making a new generation of slot head banjos?     I was wondering what sort of router bit did you use for the slots, did you rough cut the slots?

cbcarlisle - Posted - 05/07/2014:  08:16:37

Dan, it just occurred to me: have you calculated how much this neck is going to Weigh with these "billions and billions" of dots on it?

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/07/2014:  12:05:14

Dan, the neck and peg head are really coming along nicely, sure going to look nice when completed. Enjoyed the pictures you have posted recently of your travels.

Thanks for your posts in spite of your busy schedule.

Big O - Posted - 05/08/2014:  13:15:20

Beautiful work Dan Wow it is amazing what ideas you can come up with and what you can do with it can't wait to see the finishing project :)
Nice pix of your trips you went on and the people all seem so very nice.

Nels - Posted - 05/08/2014:  16:16:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by Big O

Beautiful work Dan Wow it is amazing what ideas you can come up with and what you can do with it can't wait to see the finishing project :)

Nice pix of your trips you went on and the people all seem so very nice.

---

right you are Big O......I think we should call Dan....Dan Wow... from now on!! Dan's work is amazing!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/10/2014:  13:12:58

Dave,

I think that I might just make a few more of these slotted head thangs! First I removed most of the waste with a drill press, then routed the remainder away with a pattern bit.

Curt,

I've been working out a formula fer figurin' out jus dat thang... PX1500 to the fifth power (Only paps corn liqueur here) + 49L = t+475 - 3998765 = w3+209856= b4%= 7

I hope this explainz ever thang...

Doug, Chuck & Nels,

Thanks so much!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 05/10/2014 13:16:21

DEmery - Posted - 05/10/2014:  14:15:19

Well Dan....you going to make more slot heads? I know you build what folks want; but when we discussed St. Augustine a slot head wasn't on your hit list. To me it is a truly classic design and your slot head is sleek. I hope other's consider it and that you chunk out more. Too, it is a fine design for tunneled 5th strings.  David E. 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/10/2014:  14:17:42

SATURDAY IN MEMPHIS

Oh the travels, there is nothing like riding the river and playing music! And it doesn't get much better than heading out on the road with Tim May. I never knew that picking & traveling could be such fun! We traveled on the Queen from Vicksburg to Memphis. Tim jumped ship yesterday and Tyler Andel just arrived to play the south bound trip. This will be fun too!

On our way to Vicksburg we took a side trip to the the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Here we are performing on Wednesday evening...

And another wonderful group of Queen of the Mississippi students...

Next in Vicksburg or maybe back home or maybe on the road or....

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/10/2014:  15:15:25

Dave have to agree with you 100% on the slot heads and the one you won is sweet to say the least!

Dan Drabek - Posted - 05/10/2014:  15:25:11

Dan, your inlaid dots remind me of a Georges Serat painting. Very innovative. I can't recall ever seeing a banjo neck with that kind of inlay before. Am looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

DD

Kaelri - Posted - 05/10/2014:  22:00:19

Since I am probably newer to the world of banjo than most who are following/posting on this thread, this might be a weird question. But I'm really curious......

There has been talk about the tunneled 5th string in this thread a lot. I really do think they look nice. But I wondered, what are the advantages to having a tunneled 5th as opposed to having the tuner on the side of the neck as my Deering is? Are there pros and cons? Or is this simply a personal choice/preference? 

Anyone? 

Edited by - Kaelri on 05/10/2014 22:00:45

etparadox - Posted - 05/11/2014:  01:51:42

Curt and Dan,

As a physics student, the idea of calculating the change in wight intrigued me, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do some frivolous calculation. I looked up the approximate densities of ebony and of some of the stones. It looks like the the inlay materials are roughly 3 times the density of ebony. Circle packing efficiency in a square pattern is about 50%, so going off that is a estimated total packing density the board should way about 1.5x that of a normal board. The inlays, however, don't go all the way through so this increase can be cut in half so the total increase can be predicted as 1.25x in total mass. 

I found the volume a CAD model of a fingerboard I made a while back and found that when applying my working density for ebony it was 1/3 lbs. This means that the mass of the board with the dots can be estimated to be around 5/12lbs, or approximately 0.42lbs. The total increase in weight is roughly 0.1lbs. This is a very rough estimate, but is probably true to within an order of magnitude, unless theres some lead hidden in the board. 

Edited by - etparadox on 05/11/2014 01:53:58

rudy - Posted - 05/11/2014:  04:22:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kaelri

Since I am probably newer to the world of banjo than most who are following/posting on this thread, this might be a weird question. But I'm really curious......

There has been talk about the tunneled 5th string in this thread a lot. I really do think they look nice. But I wondered, what are the advantages to having a tunneled 5th as opposed to having the tuner on the side of the neck as my Deering is? Are there pros and cons? Or is this simply a personal choice/preference? 

Anyone? 

---

The main advantage of the tunneled fifth design is the feel of the neck.  Once you play a tunneled fifth it's hard to return to a banjo with a side of neck tuner.  There are many who feel that one of the banjo's defining characteristics is the short fifth string with the side-mounted tuner, but if you're not a staunch traditionalist and are open minded about instrument design then you might appreciate a tunneled fifth string.

I also appreciate the slot head design, and one of the surprises for me was how much more natural it seems having the tuners all in the same location.  It may be because I play a slot head 000 guitar regularly and switch back and forth between them.  I have no problem with the standard five string design, but the slot head tunneled fifth represents an "upgrade" of the traditional neck IMHO.  Slot head and/or tunneled fifths are nothing new, having their heyday in the mid-1800's and were later adapted and popularized in British-made versions, they just never took off in America for some reason.

I'm a huge fan of tunneled fifths, especially when combined with the slot head design.  I also have published information about tunnel design and implementation on my website.  There are a few fine points of design that I prefer, and I relate those thoughts there.

After fielding several e-mails about tunneled slot heads I posted a topic regarding a tunneled slot head design to clarify some of those questions.  I have a friend that is very much a traditionalist when it comes to instruments and leads a contra dance band asked me to do a conversion neck for one of his Vegas after playing one of my tunneled necks.  I shot a few photos of that conversion to use in the topic posting. That topic can be found here:

banjohangout.org/topic/283544

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 05/11/2014:  05:09:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by etparadox

Curt and Dan,

As a physics student, the idea of calculating the change in wight intrigued me, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do some frivolous calculation. I looked up the approximate densities of ebony and of some of the stones. It looks like the the inlay materials are roughly 3 times the density of ebony. Circle packing efficiency in a square pattern is about 50%, so going off that is a estimated total packing density the board should way about 1.5x that of a normal board. The inlays, however, don't go all the way through so this increase can be cut in half so the total increase can be predicted as 1.25x in total mass. 

I found the volume a CAD model of a fingerboard I made a while back and found that when applying my working density for ebony it was 1/3 lbs. This means that the mass of the board with the dots can be estimated to be around 5/12lbs, or approximately 0.42lbs. The total increase in weight is roughly 0.1lbs. This is a very rough estimate, but is probably true to within an order of magnitude, unless theres some lead hidden in the board. 

 

 

---

Wow! Now I know why your head looks like a banjo in your avatar!  

DEmery - Posted - 05/11/2014:  05:44:33

I agree Rudy. My sense of traditional is a little more loose than some; and having a slot head with the 5th tunneled is a wonderful combination. It is amazingly clean to play but one may not be able to appreciate it until they get a neck like this in hand. I am fortunate to have traditional 5th string, slotted 5th, and tunneled. I like them all visually but if someone is looking for a clean line to the neck, the lack of a peg to maneuver around, and not bothered by more traditional designs; it is a fine choice. David E.  

Edited by - DEmery on 05/11/2014 05:48:43

5th Tuner

Ole' Abe built by Dan Knowles

Goshen

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/11/2014:  13:21:57

Doug,

I'm with you!

Dan,

Georges Seurat is the major influence on this work, at least my interpreting of ihis work.

As far as I know this is the first inlay of this type. When it's completed I'll have to send Chuck Erickson a photo just to see how crazy he thinks that I am.

Ellen,

Randy's explanation was more than masterful.

Eli,

I have one more thing to mess up your calculations with. Most of the dots are between .040 and .075 of an inch with the average at say .060. The fingerboard it around 31/128 of an inch....

Randy,

Thanks for that wonderful explanation of tunneled fifth necks. I've been meaning to tell you for some time how nice your tunneled fifth slot head design is, very, very elegant! There is only one problem with it. Your design is so good it makes it difficult to come up with one that is not a copy!

Marvin,

I second that emotion!

David,

Once again my old friend I must thank you! When I get home let's get together over the Skype and cure the worlds ills

Kaelri - Posted - 05/11/2014:  14:56:18

Rudy, David, 

Thanks for the info on tunneled 5ths strings. I will definitely consider one down the line. They sure are beautiful. I like the polished look and clean lines and simplicity of the one in your link Rudy. I'm really finding I love the slot head look. And thanks for the heads up on your website, Rudy. I will check it out! Looks like a lot of info there.  

Thanks fellas. 

Ellen

flatfootjohnny - Posted - 05/11/2014:  15:12:20

Hi Dan i hope you dont mind but i just thought i'd show you a couple of pics of my antique(ish) mountain banjos (I made 2). Totally inspired by your birthing banjo and mountain banjo restorations. Its made from reclaimed English Elm and im pretty chuffed with the result - it looks pretty old.

DEmery - Posted - 05/11/2014:  17:17:11

Dan when you get home; zip me a text for a Skype appointment. By the way the mountain banjo arrived. Seeing FlatfootJohnny's comments made me think about it. The sound is amazing and it plays like a modern player. It ain't the sort of banjo you would play all the time but is sure a nice piece. You should crank one in Knowles style. David E.   

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/11/2014:  21:52:08

Johnny,

Those look very cool! It looks like you nailed it!

David,

Will do. That banjo looks very nice. I'll look forward to hearing it when we skype.

Everybody,

I'll be home tomorrow evening and I'll try to make a catch up post if I'm not too tired from traveling.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/12/2014:  17:51:23

WORK, WORK, WORK

I titled tonights post Work, Work, Work so that you would understand the truth of just how difficult it is to be on a riverboat like the Queen of the Mississippi. Never is there any easy, fun time.

Take this next photo. In it appears a group of new Australian banjo fanatics. Notice how no one is smiling or seems to be enjoying themselves. Please take note of the banjo teacher who seams especially morose. Perhaps his red & white saddle shoes don't fit as they should. Maybe it is the weight of his ebony banjo.

The next example is shown here. Tyler Andel bows to river laureate "Toots" Malloy. Notice her regal stance. Notice his abject submission. I wonder if he is being admonished not to play such "Hot" fiddle & banjo & guitar.

And in this photograph, taken just before the Sunday night show we appear along with Captain Kenny Williams to be in an intense depressed state. Kenny said it must be the air emanating from yours truly..

At long last the gentlemen performing a series of banjo fiddle tunes look as though they might smile sometime...

Maybe music does settle the savage beast!

More soon!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 05/12/2014 17:51:52

jbalch - Posted - 05/12/2014:  18:11:19

Is there a national champions banjo duet in this show?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/12/2014:  18:34:36

Yes there was... but please don't ask what song.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/12/2014:  18:54:58

TOM BERGHAN PLAYS FOR GUILD

I received an email from Tom Berghan tonight. He will be performing at the Guild of American Luthiers convention on Wednesday evening July 23 in Tacoma, Washington. He will be playing both Marvin Walker's amazing Decotone mini banjo...(isn't that a sweetie!)

And my Orpheus, the banjo d' amore...

GO GET UM TOM!!!!!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/12/2014:  19:54:00

You and Marvin are extremely talented luthiers and it shows...cheers to you both

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/13/2014:  21:15:25

Doug,

Thanks from both of us!

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 05/14/2014:  02:41:21

Dan, I am honored to have the DECOTONE even near the ORPHEUS. I have always admired your work, and your talent is an inspiration. Thanks for sharing all the talents with which you are blessed!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 05/14/2014:  06:59:47

Marvin your DECOTONE is amazing..you have a real gift for creating fine banjos

Kaelri - Posted - 05/14/2014:  08:11:18

I have much respect for anyone who can build, or take apart and repair anything including musical instruments. My husband can take anything apart (not musical related...but he hasn't tried that yet) that needs fixing and figure it out. Or, he can come up with an idea and build it and it works.  So I think it is nice that we can be blessed by anyone, male or female, who can build these beautiful instruments. 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/14/2014:  19:00:38

Marvin,

Your Decotone banjo is just amazing! Orpheus will be proud to share the stage with her! Maybe your Decotone should be named Eurydice...

Doug,

I second that emotion!

Ellen,

Thou art blessed!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 05/14/2014:  19:19:35

WEDNESDAY

Isn't life good?

I wrote a song about just that subject a while back. Quoth I...

"I may never ride in a rocket ship,

Nor skydive through the air,

Press the peddle down on a Ferrari car,

Or speed a Rolls Royce somewhere.

I bean old man sittin' on the Courthouse square

With my knife and a stick of wood,

Tellin' tales of long ago,

Isn't life so good."

This rainy day in Paris the worm turned. Some were tossed off, some pulled on and some just stayed on for the ride!

"nuff o dat!

The batch of dots that I ordered for my 'dotage' banjo arrived. Here they are with their brothers in arms in the old dot box.

Tomorrow I intend to dig into some serious dotage (I love that word!). Drill a bunch of holes and inlay a whole lot of dots.

This afternoon was spent at my son Sam's new house, finishing sheetrock. With this being my least favorite construction job, don't I look happy?!?

More soon!