kwl - Posted - 09/29/2014:  06:19:11

Dan, best wishes for speedy healing. Forty years ago I was removing the top of a dulcimer when I slipped with the knife. Still have  a nasty scar on the pointer finger of my left hand. One can never be too careful. Thanks for the reminder.

Ken

guitarman8491 - Posted - 09/29/2014:  06:23:58

Dan, hope it heals up soon and really glad you didn't loose any of your digit. I came close years ago on a table saw and again two years ago on a thicknessing sander and realized that regardless of how long you have been around machinery and tools in general, you can't to be very careful.

Dave1climber - Posted - 09/29/2014:  08:35:09

Ouch!

Thanks for the reminder.

I am happy that it was not more serious.

Edited by - Dave1climber on 09/29/2014 08:38:15

Paul R - Posted - 09/29/2014:  14:31:42

Glad it wasn't too serious, Dan. Hope it's all over and done with (i.e.: healed) and you're back in action real soon.

DEmery - Posted - 09/29/2014:  15:05:27

Dan whacking your picking finger is a bad deal. I hate to get that bad news for you and hope that thing heals up quickly. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 09/29/2014:  17:03:11

Ken, Doug, Dave, Paul & David,

Thank y'all!

My digit is healing nicely and will soon be digitizin' in a big way! It certainly remindes me just what a quick stupid moment of inattention can do!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 09/29/2014:  17:20:45

A COUPLE OF PHOTOS

Here is a microphone which I recently constructed. It is built from the guts of an Aphex studio condenser. This thing is fairly big and weighty. About 16" tall and I'm not sure how heavy.  The body is brass and the ring is 3-ply quarter sawn white oak that is aged.

I've been wanting a kind of Steampunk mic for stage use. Steampunk it is, working well... well not yet. I think I know what and how to correct its issues so soon it should ready to amaze and amuse our audiences!

Saturday Paris (my little town) celebrated Eyeful of Paris. As part of the celebration an art/ music show was held on our courthouse square. Artists from the aria displayed and sold their wares and many loclal musical groups performed. 

We got a bunch of our grandkids, walked them down (5 blocks) to the square, checked out the artwork, but mostly went to watch & listen to our grandaughter Katland sing. Earler in the summer she was part of  a children's theater performance of Treasure Island. She's the one standing on the far right in the photo... 

And yes she did wonderful and yes we ARE PROUD of her!

More Soon!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 09/29/2014 17:22:13

etparadox - Posted - 09/29/2014:  17:37:06

Glad to hear the finger is on the mend, Dan. Nice mic too! I love when the steampunk aesthetic is used for practical purposes. 

Dave1climber - Posted - 09/29/2014:  17:43:13

Finger healing, mic looking good, granddaughter singing.  Life is good.

DEmery - Posted - 09/30/2014:  03:19:43

Paris is a nice little town for an event like that Dan. I miss stuff like that but we have been such transients over the years; I have been lazy when looking for it. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 09/30/2014:  04:29:33

Eli, Dave & David,

I wrote a song that I us on stage and hopefully will release on the next CD called ISN'T LIFE GOOD!  It talks (sings) about  how I may not have this or that thing but how I do have the things that are truly important, love & friendship. The older I get the more I realize the truth of that sentiment.

60spicker - Posted - 09/30/2014:  10:23:21

Geez, Dan, I would think a resourceful fellow like you could craft an artificial finger to restore hunt-n-peck capabilities. You need some sort of artificial finger extension that is attached to the lower part of the finger to absorb the weight. I hate to see a hunt-n-pecker go down without a fight.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/01/2014:  05:12:26

Terry,

I certainly thought about it for a few days. "Shucks" I thought,  "I could get me a piece of figured maple and turn it on the lathe to make me a new finger, cave all the finger details, sand and stain it like a banjer, inlay and sculpt a new pearl nail, make a ring for it to boot! Shoot, I could even make the joints work, add a pad of rubber to the end to make it a soft touch. That way I could use it anytime I want to jab into the lathe!"

Well maybe fortunately I dropped the idea. 

My finger is getting better. Perhaps in a couple of weeks I can have another fake nail applied. It was fortunate that I had a fake nail during the accident as it took much of the punishment. Also it's good that I'm off the road for a couple of weeks. 

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 10/01/2014 05:16:34

Tom Berghan - Posted - 10/01/2014:  10:16:36

Maestro,

You are NOT allowed to get hurt.  You are far too valuable a luthier.  I forbid you to get hurt.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/01/2014:  16:05:57

Tom,

Thank you. I agree... I will not get hurt! BTW The recording of your new band is Fabulous!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/01/2014:  16:39:24

WEDNESDAY

AND SOME

When I uploaded the photos from the shop camera I discovered some from when I was making the white oak microphone shock mount. 

First I milled three sticks of quarter sawn white oak, Thickness sanded them to around 3/16" and then dunked them off in some water to soak.

After a bit I set up this bending gig. It is a big brass bearing. This is placed on a 1/4" aluminum plate and then mounted on a hotplate and heated up. 

Each piece is clamped to the bearing and then gently wrapped around it and cooked till dry...

After all three laminates were bent and cooled, they each are scarf cut to length...

Checked...

And glued together with each joint offset from the other...

This I am proud of...

I've needed to straighten up my storage drawers for some time. I milled up some scrap maple & walnut for dividers. I hot glued them in place. Then filled them up.

J-hooks and bracket nuts...

Varius pieces of pearl...

Tuners, Knobs & etc...

And etc...

A Telecaster setup...

More Soon!

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/01/2014:  19:33:13

Dan

Even with a bum finger you remain busy and productive.    Cheers!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/04/2014:  19:41:01

Dave,

I'm not sure that is always true... but I do try! Thanks!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/04/2014:  20:02:00

SATURDAY

We went to a funeral for a nephew of ours. 35, Another soldier victim of Iraq. Not a good (if any are good) event. 

On to happier things...

I spent some time this morning with my student Kevin. He is moving nicely along with his guitar. Here we are discussing sizes of neck and end blocks from his plan...

During the time he was working on his project and when I wasn't helping him, I set up this Martin guitar and cut an new saddle. Here I'm re cutting the string slots...

Out comes the saddle...

Preparing to find the length of the new bone saddle blank. Note the finger without the nail or bandage...

In the vise ready to cut...

Giving it the good ole' county chop...

Rounding the edges to fit in the saddle slot...

More Soon!

Bufo Bill - Posted - 10/05/2014:  03:59:59

So sorry for your family's loss. My thoughts are with you all.
All the best from Bill.

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 10/05/2014:  04:40:58

About your finger and the loss of a loved one... Time heals all things, but some things take a long time, and most leave scars. Sorry for your loss...

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/05/2014:  06:11:34

Bill & Marvin,

Thank you.

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 10/05/2014:  06:24:08

Dan,

Thinking of you and your family, and keeping a good thought for you.  Our condolences for your loss, and the harsh sacrifice it represents for all of us.

V/R,

Lew

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/05/2014:  06:25:39

SUNDAY

AM

Not long ago Rubicon asked me about how I shoot all of these here photos for the Banjer Hangout. So I  asked Kevin to use a phone to make a few.

Here is my big secret.

I've this old Kodak Easyshare camera, which will shoot 2 photos at the click of the button, I keep it mounted on a tripod. I reach out (when I remember), punch a couple of buttons, wait 10 seconds and bam it shoots a photo, wait 10 more and pop goes another one... easy you see.

IAs we were shooting these photos I was workin' on this early 1970's Ovation Custom Balladeer. My client had left it for several years in a Tennessee attic. He's so lucky that the back of the top coming loose is all that is wrong with the guitar. It gets the joint cleaned and then epoxyed back together...

After pumping the joint to saturate it with glue I'll tape the thing together... and forget to punch the button!

More Soon!

tylerandal - Posted - 10/05/2014:  13:24:52

Love the overalls! Def the season for it :)
Also Dan, I may or may not have won the Alabama state clawhammer contest again... Can't wait to be doing that on my knowles banjo :)

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/05/2014:  16:32:13

Tyler,

(?) That will be fun won't it!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 10/05/2014:  16:45:10

Dan, sorry for the loss of your nephew. My prayers are with you all.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/05/2014:  16:52:18

SUNDAY 

PM

MAKIN' THE COLOR

This afternoon my grandson Ryland and I went out, picked up a bunch of walnut husks...

Why you ask, would we go pick up this mess?

Well, I guess it's so we can cook it down...

And mix it up...

And cook it some more. In fact we cooked it for more than an hour...

Love these bubbles!

Although I guess you can see it from all of these photos...

Oh I guess I forgot to tell you, we are making home made natural walnut stain...

Here it is on a piece of red oak. The stain is presently outside cooling down. After a bit we'll strain and pour it off into a bucket so it can soon be used.  

Last time I didn't cook it, just poured boiling water over the walnuts & husks. I soaked it for over a month. The result? Not near as good as this. The stain gets stronger as time goes by so this should be quite interesting soon.

More soon!

jbalch - Posted - 10/05/2014:  17:04:19

You might have to sell me a small jar of the Walnut stain...Im just about out.

kwl - Posted - 10/05/2014:  18:06:45

Dan, my heart goes out to you and your family on your nephew's death. You have my sympathy. 

Thank you for the update on the walnut stain making. I picked up half a five gallon buckets of walnuts about five weeks ago and have had it sitting in my garage. I was going to pour boiling water over it and per your original instructions. Now I'll get me a nice big pot and cook them for an hour or so. I don't want to make too large a quantity. Any idea how much finally product I will have? I look forward to seeing what happens.

Ken

Paul R - Posted - 10/05/2014:  20:01:43

Dan, my condolences on your and your family's loss. Peace.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/06/2014:  03:38:23

John,

Count one as coming your way!

Ken & Paul

Thank you for your kind words.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/06/2014:  04:13:49

STAIN MAKING #2

After Ken's post I knew that I needed to add this addendum to yesterdays post on the walnut stain making.

First of all , you got to watch out for me, I can't sit still.

No it's true. If I do something good my mind runs around tryin' to figure out some better way to do it. You'd think it'd be happy with success, but nope it will worry me half to death and pick at some little detail until it is satisfied that it has a better way... then drive me to do it.

Insane!

I've got to have a talk with that thing!

Such is the case of the walnut stain...

I wanted a bit more pungent stain. something that less applications would give me the same deep result. 

My first thought was to just cook down the stain that I already have. You see that over time it is getting stronger. 

But this being walnut season here in Paris, I thought why not get some walnuts off the ground and try cooking it down when it is being made.

So that is just what I did.

I brought home my fish cooker that I use at the shop to create steam for rim bending. I've got two pots that I use with this steamer  so we filled my smaller pot about 3/4 full with nasty looking walnuts (mostly husks) and put it on the cooker. These are the most nasty disgusting looking husks that we could find. Real nasty! Worms and all. 

If you do this wear gloves. These husks and nuts will stain your hands like crazy and it will take a while to wear off. Washing won't get it.

I covered the husks with water and proceeded to cook. I cooked them hard for about an hour (stirring fairly constantly), then let them cool somewhat so they wouldn't melt the plastic bucket I was straining into. 

Next I strained the mess and then cooked the remaining stain for another 30 minutes or so, reducing its volume by about half.

After this cooled I strained it once again, then poured it off into this 47 oz. salsa jar. I figure that I've got about 30 oz. of a very strong looking stain.

Making this stain was like being a witch or alchemist, great fun. If I have time before this walnut season is over I may do this yet one more time.

Happy Stain Makin'!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 10/06/2014 04:14:31

DEmery - Posted - 10/06/2014:  11:27:46

Dan you said this is the good stain. Does that mean Saint Augustine got the less than good stain. If it could possibly look or feel better on a banjo neck; I want a dose of that stuff. It does make a wonderful stain in all ways. David E.    

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/06/2014:  19:01:45

David,

Such a subjective word this word good.Good, goodie, goodest, goodies, goodness, goods, greatest good, supreme good, behalf, goodman, gawl durn, benefit, behalf, satisfactory, bully, first class, first rate, super excellent, rad, great, deluxe, superior, gnarly.... ah... now... ah... just what were we talking about?

BTW, did you notice we passed 180,000 reads today?

DEmery - Posted - 10/07/2014:  04:31:49

I got lost in the descriptive adjectives. Yes...you are headed to 200K views around the New Year. By the way...did that big picture get finished and I assume Pine Cone's banjo got shipped?? I don't recall any glamor shots. Lastly...I told you about the new dobro coming my way. What do you think? David E.

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/08/2014:  06:39:22

Oh yez Oh yez! David That's sure a pretty reso!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/08/2014:  07:07:26

TUESDAY

Last night my wife Debbie, my fiddler friend Danny Conger and I went  up north to Murray State Uneversity to go to a concert that is part of their Roots of American Music series. It was headlined by Chris Scruggs (Earl's grandson) and his band the Stone Fox Five. This was performance extraordinary! Hard core 1950's honky tonk music, beautifully sung and amazingly MC'ed.  About half way through his performance Chris took his band, off mic to the front of the stage for a truly tottaly acoustic couple of tunes. At long last you could really hear the beauty of his voice and the real sound of the instruments without the interference of the PA. It was so moving. I joined the other audience members in giving them a standing ovation.

Here's a link to Chris on the Marty Stewart Show doing Hank William's Long Gone Daddy. youtube.com/watch?v=y0-Gf6Bw60c

​More walnut stain...

I ran a little test of this stuff yesterday. I grabbed up a piece of maple scrap and sanded it to 220.

Applied a coat of stain...

Then added a coat of my metal stain on one end...

Here it is after the metal did its work and dried...

And on with a coat of  spirit varnish...

After that coat set up.

More soon!

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/08/2014:  07:28:12

Hooray to good times!!

Nice stain!!

kwl - Posted - 10/08/2014:  08:29:58

Looks good, Dan. I haven't started on mine yet, but you are inspiring me to move ahead. Just have to take care of a few projects first.

DEmery - Posted - 10/08/2014:  13:48:11

Dan is that more of the wood you built my slot head neck with or from a different source. You are using some of the prettiest maple I've seen and that walnut stain with the Knowles elixir really makes the curl pop. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/08/2014:  17:52:05

Dave,

Thanks!

Ken,

One thing about this walnut stain, those nutw will just get nastier if you wait and nastier makes  stronger stain!

David,

You may be correct that it is a drop from that same wood stock. Thanks I agree with you and I'm glad that I've been heading this direction over the last few years.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/08/2014:  18:25:52

WEDNESDAY 

THE NEW

KNOWLES - 1850'S JACOBS BANJO

HITS THE MARKET

Fun times in the old shop tonight!

I just finished posting a banjo hangout classified for the new KNOWLES -1850' Jacobs banjo.

So to do this I set up my makeshift photo studio in the shop. Lights cameras and all. Shot a whole bunch of pictures. It's funny but I remember my dear ole' daddy telling me that doing something like this was a numbers game, shoot enough photos and ya just might get one or two good ones!

It is amazing how long it takes shooting photos, preparing the add and then posting it. No little 15 minute job this... It probably would not take as long if I wasn't so anal about the whole thing.... but I am. This has developed into quite a full sounding minstrel. In the next day or so I'll post a video or mp3 recording so you can really see it.

Here is a link to the add: banjohangout.org/classified/47302

And here are a few glamor shots of the new Jacobs...

More soon!

Pine Cone - Posted - 10/08/2014:  18:29:45

Great looking banjo!  Now you have to post a tune or two played on it!

kwl - Posted - 10/08/2014:  18:40:59

Very good photos Dan. You must have taken a lot of photos to get them. BTW, the banjo is pretty nice, too.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/09/2014:  06:29:07

Scott, 

I'm gonna try and pull thar off today...

Ken,

Thanks I'd say close to 200.

Dave1climber - Posted - 10/09/2014:  07:53:05

Good photos of a Great banjo.  The banjo looks perfect new as old.

DEmery - Posted - 10/09/2014:  10:16:29

Dan I am pleased to have the roughed up version of your 1850; but I must say this makes a pretty dressed up minstrel banjo. What a nice piece. Anybody that hasn't played one of these should. It has so much voice because of the lite design of a Jacobs. Surprising. It would be a nice addition to anybody's group of banjos. sadly, I have two Knowles minstrel banjos - or I'd be all over it. David E.   

Edited by - DEmery on 10/09/2014 10:17:25

Dan Knowles - Posted - 10/10/2014:  19:49:29

David,

You know you could just go for broke and make it three! 

I well remember the surprise when the original Jacobs was strung... and what a voice it had. It seamed so counter intuitive from what I had learned  in my early years. We always wanted a 3/4" thick rim at least! Here was this little 1/4" thick one and man could it sing. All that have followed have been blessed with that same big family voice.