cbcarlisle - Posted - 08/06/2015:  10:45:12

Checking the new pix of Albert's head. Anybody else have anything?

Tenn
R F. D. 1 box 30

RFD1 box30
Vilna (?)
Dorthi (?)
Wi (?)

Nov 18(81?)

 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/07/2015:  18:18:12

Doug, 

We sure tried to. In fact the whole play is about W.I.M.P. the 2 watt voice of Almost Tennessee, Kentucky and the Almost Brothers who are the stars of the Grand New Operaa. 

Terry,

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Curt,

I know... it says Almost Tenn! Perhaps we can get Albert to scan the head, send me the pictures and I'll post 'um.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/07/2015:  18:59:57

FRIDAY

I guess I could tell y'all that the 1934 CD's arrived today and I suppose that would be enough for one day. Well they did and so I sat right down and signed and numbered a whole bunch of them. Then I stuck them off in their envelops. That sure was fun! Tomorrow I'll take them up to the post office and send them to their new homes.

Thanks goes out to all the good folks who ordered a copy. I'll be very interested to know what you think about it.

Well yesterday & today I got quite a bit accomplished in the shop.

Feels good!

I needed to cut out some sides for a guitar and I'd been planing on using this slab of walnut so I laid out for the cuts...

Cut out a slab for sides and a slab for backs. Then ripped them on the band saw. I always use a new fresh blade for this operation. I get smoother cuts with way less wanderlust....

Then I thicknessed all of the material. This is an inner back made of cypress..

Here ithe inner back set glued and again I visit the thickness sander...

I got out the ole' side bending machine and prepared to bend some sides...

Then I went and glued up an outer back set...

Then went to side bending...

After the sides were bent and set, I laminated the sides. On the left I'm using a brayer to apply the glue. Makes life easier! Then on the right the caul is added to even out clamping pressure...

And then on go the clamps...

After the glue for the inner and outer laminations (on the back) dried I thicknessed it. It seams like I spend more time at the thickness sander than anything else...

This is a little trick for getting all of the center splining perfectly straight. I clamp down a strait edge on the outside edge line, then apply glue and place it against the strait edge. If you wait just a couple of minutes after applying the glue and before clamping it will stay where you put it...

Here it is in the go-bar deck under clamps...

MORE SOON!!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/07/2015:  19:18:01

Curt,

Albert just emailed me those scans. Along with it came this description from the auction house where he bought it.

Appalachian fretless five string banjo with skin head, Johnson County, Tennessee. Signed in pencil to the underside of head "RFD 1 Box 30/ Volna Osborne/ Dortha Wallace/ Nov 18 1925_Tenn/RFD1 Box 30". 33 3/4"L x 10" dia. (head). Note: Volna Marion Osborne (b. Feb. 7, 1899) and Dortha Ella Wallace (b. Jan. 27, 1900) were married by 1920.

cbrianroll - Posted - 08/07/2015:  19:27:07

Man...that skins cool!! History.

Nels - Posted - 08/08/2015:  03:11:47

'banjonenealogy'... cool...  

guitarman8491 - Posted - 08/08/2015:  04:42:31

Sure is a wonderful piece of banjo history..way cool!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/09/2015:  06:35:43

Yes I agree, this old stuff is one of my favorite parts of my job!

Albert let me know that I didn't post a photo of the inside. So here ya go!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 08/09/2015:  07:00:58

Amazing!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/09/2015:  08:26:05

SATURDAY

Nashville must a been the place to be Saturday. I went up there first to the airport to pick up my Mom, my daughter Jenny and my younger brother Kenny. We'll be visiting until Thursday when my mom  & Kenny will fly up to Canada. Then Friday Jenny, my grandson Chandan and I will drive up near St. Catheren, Ontario to celebrate my mom's 90th. birthday.

Anyway that long ole' bit was to say that we went over to the rehab to visit Chris & Toni. 

There he is with his walker which he is wearing out! He is working out and working out and making great progress.

So we got a photo. Jenny took it so now you can see her on your side of the picture.

(L to R) Toni, My mom Joy, Chris & me....

Lunch was had at our favorite Indian restaurant in Nashville the Sitar. Great food!

Sitting right behind me at the restaurant was a fella with a very interesting mustache.

We got to talking and it turned out that he is a fine Old-Time banjo picker and that the folks he was with are all in an Old-Time String Band called the GLADE CITY ROUNDERS. 

Just before they left he gave me a couple of their CD's "THEY'RE AFTER US". 

It is a great collection of traditional tunes played with a lot of verve and energy. 

And the packaging is way tooooooooooo cool with a 3-d photo on the inside and a pair of 3-d glasses to look at it with.

Get ya one if you like OT music played in the true OT way!

This is the inside... I love it and I think that Gid Tanner would have loved it!

(L to R) William See, Josh Smith & Squirrel McClain.

More Soon!!!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 08/09/2015 08:26:35

steveh_2o - Posted - 08/09/2015:  08:44:51

I met Mr. errr.... Squirrel at Uncle Dave Macon Days.  Fine fella and banjo player.

He is a member here on the hangout.

banjohangout.org/myhangout/hom...?id=13689

guitarman8491 - Posted - 08/09/2015:  09:09:40

Dan..I am so happy to see You with your son Chris and your family..especially Chris on his feet...Nothing could be better..you made my day and my prayers will continue for Chris as he continues to clock off milestones in his recovery!

kvdkieft - Posted - 08/09/2015:  12:06:54

Great to see the family! Get Jenny in a picture too, it will help your ratings!!! Just teasin'!

squirrel - Posted - 08/09/2015:  13:33:23

It was truly an honor eating my first Indian meal back to back with the great Dan Knowles and getting to talk some banjo and mustache, even if briefly! Thanks for the kind words about the album too! It's always a great day when I get to casually bump into one of my banjo playing and building heroes!

kvdkieft - Posted - 08/09/2015:  15:08:12

God I would love a name of Squirrel! Squirrel you have met the one and only Dan Knowles! Prepare yourself!!!!

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 08/09/2015:  15:45:50

Dan, 

Great to see Chris on his feet... Still praying For a full recovery!

Nels - Posted - 08/09/2015:  17:53:40

Great to see Chris up on his feet!!!  ....all 6 of them for now!!!  ....prayers for his complete recovery.   I don't see anyone in the picture that would be close to...... 90!!  

Nels - Posted - 08/10/2015:  12:06:19

CD 1934..came in todays mail... EXCELLENT... checks in da mail!!  ........this is one great CD....it has already gone up in value!  

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/10/2015:  21:29:36

Thank y'all for your continued thoughts regarding Chris. This has been a very rough patch made smoother by all of you!!! Thank you!!!

Kenny,

You are so correct about the ratings going up with Jenny in the photo. I bet she'll be in tomorrows post.

Squirrel,

I'm still enjoying your CD! Keep up the good work!

Nels,

I'm glad the CD made it and that you are enjoying it, That's what it's all about!

chuckv97 - Posted - 08/10/2015:  21:47:16

Your Mom looks great for her 90 young years,Dan. Enjoy your stay at St. Catharines (I think that's what you meant). It's my hometown,,picked my first bit of banjo (a Framus) there. Here's the railway station where I used to hang out some.

Paul R - Posted - 08/10/2015:  23:40:32

Great to see photographic evidence of how well Chris is doing. Rooting for him all the way.

Happy B'Day to your Mom - 90 years YOUNG! Have a great time in St. Catharines. Check out the wineries! If you have time, drive home the long way - if you find yourself near Kingston (yep, that would be the looooong way! - but you could travel through Prince Edward County, well worth the trip), look me up.

rubicon - Posted - 08/11/2015:  06:01:11

Happy birthday to your Mom glad to see Chris up and around best wishes on his continued progress.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/11/2015:  06:07:13

Chuck,

In actual fact we will be near St. Catherine. We will stay mostly in Port Colburne. My mom lived for about 20 years in Vineland which is just up the road from St. Catherine.

Paul,

Our only planned side trip will be up to Auora, Ontario to visit my good friend Bill Rickard and his bunch on Tuesday before we head back to the states. Drop by his shop if you get a chance and live near.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/11/2015:  06:07:51

Rubicon,

Thanks!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/11/2015:  06:20:49

MONDAY

Ok Kenny, here are some promised photos to bring my ratings up!

This is my daughter Jenny sitting out on our front porch...

And My Mom, brother Kenny & Jenny along with our neighbor and author Jim Jackson (aka. Aiden James) on the back porch of his 1854 mansion. This was taken just before he graciously gave us a tour of his beautiful home. Oh yes I almost forgot, He is holding his signed and numbered copy of 1934!

MORE SOON!!!

kvdkieft - Posted - 08/11/2015:  08:53:49

I can see the rating jumping ahead of Donald Trump as we speak!!!! Good job, thanks! I've got to send a check in the mail for my copy of that CD. I'll put it on my "to do" list today. Say howdy to all of your family! What a treat to have them there!

The Pope - Posted - 08/11/2015:  13:02:39

Good going, Chris!!! 

Aradobanjo - Posted - 08/11/2015:  13:08:01

Hello Dan,

I received my CD yesterday. Mailed the check today. Thank you.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/12/2015:  10:27:50

Kenny,

To trump Trump! Who'd a thunk it! You got one comin'!

Eric,

I T totally agree!

John,

Thanks! I certainly hope you enjoy it!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/12/2015:  10:43:21

TUESDAY

Sometimes I think that I'm one crazy guy for trying to keep a bunch of balls in the air all the time but I do! Here is just a bit of that juggling. 

I cut the Yin & Yang guitars sides to length, installed the end blocks and one side of the lining. I'm not sure what happened to those photos, but her is what I have...

Here I'm laying out for the side cuts. 

And aplying glue for the back braces...

Nearly under clamps...

Even closer....

More Soon!!!

kvdkieft - Posted - 08/12/2015:  17:28:07

I'c vote for you EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR before I'd vote for Trump!!! I hope you out Trump Trump always!!!!!

Kaelri - Posted - 08/12/2015:  19:50:13

What's this? Dan's Running for President? Cool! I'll vote early and often!

also, got my CD in the mail too! You know what they say.....check's in the email. Plan to spin it in the player tomorrow. 

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/13/2015:  07:45:33

The first thing that I find waiting for me when I arrive home after a week in the wilderness is a CD from Dan!    



Next I catch up on "A Luthiers Life", and find that Chris is up on all six legs!!        HURRAY!! Still pulling for that complete recovery!



Thanks, Dan for keeping us updated on Chris and all of the things that are happening in your life.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/13/2015:  19:28:25

Kenny,

Thanks fer the vote o' confidence! 

Ellen,

I really never thought about runnin' for president... but now that I've got 2 supporters maybe I should consider...

Dave,

I certainly hope you enjoy that CD!

I saw Chris today and the good news is that he can now walk for real! He is allowed to put weight on that leg in the boot. Amazing, simply amazing! He looks great too!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/13/2015:  19:45:26

THURSDAY

Well I took my mom and brother up to the Nashville airport today today so they can fly on up to Canada for my mom's 90th. birthday celebration. It's hard to believe she has achieved that age!

 My daughter Jenny went with me and while we were there we went and saw Chris at the rehab. I'm sure that you've seen the previous post, but I've got to say it again...AMAZING!

Tomorrow Jenny, Chandan and I  will rise long before the rooster thinks of crowing and head up the highway to Port Colborne, Ontario Canada. We all all excited. This should be great fun traveling with my daughter and grandson. Google says it's 13 hours but I don't believe it. We'll see if my disbelief effects how long it takes!

Anyway herewith are some photos from yesterday's back brace carving....

What not carving? Nope removing clamps from the lining...

Here they are the happy folks watching the work. That is Lisa Carrico on the right, her son Ryan on the far left and his buddy in the center....

Lots of smiles!

Using a little block plane to shape braces...

And my great granddaddy's chisel to trim the ends....

Out comes the scraper to finish shaping the ends...

Next post from on the road!

paco_rumblefish - Posted - 08/13/2015:  21:31:55

The above post described the tool you were using as "my great granddaddy's chisel."  Please, tell us the history behind this tool.

Nels - Posted - 08/14/2015:  04:37:58

WAIT......weight bearing already? Way to go Chris!....  

kwl - Posted - 08/14/2015:  09:57:05

I am so happy to hear of Chris' progress. This is wonderful news. I think I may have mentioned way back how hand planes were a mystery to me. A week ago I took a class at the Woodcraft store in Harrisburg, PA that explained the ins and outs of maintaining and using a hand plane. It was a great class and now I understand this tool better. It was because of you, Dan, that I started to explore the old tools I inherited from my father. Thanks so much. Have a great trip. 

Ken

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/14/2015:  12:15:57

Dan

I was quite sure that Chris would make good progress on his healing journey, but this is astoundingly great progress.      Still pulling for a complete recovery.



Your hopes have come true, I have greatly enjoyed the CD, and expect to listen to it many more times.  The check is in the mail.



Once again I am amazed by your work, and the record of it.   Keep up the good work. 



Two hours and 11 minutes to Aurora Canada from Port Colborne Canada.  Could a visit with Bill Rickard be on the agenda? 

Edited by - Dave1climber on 08/14/2015 12:28:20

kvdkieft - Posted - 08/14/2015:  12:16:15

I wish I was in Cleveland so you guys could give me a surprise visit!!!! Have a great trip. Give your Ma a congratulatory hug from me! She's a sweetheart!!!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/14/2015:  19:07:50

Paco,

Back in my misspent youth I was given a bunch of tools by my dad. Among these was an old wood  lathe that my granddad had converted from a old metal lathe, a shop built drill press and a bunch of hand planes, hand drill, knives, sharpening stones, chisels and various other hand tools. Several of the tools are stamped with my great grandfathers name. I use these tools with pleasure almost every day.

Ken,

You are so welcome. If that was all I ever got from doing this post I'd have to say that it is worth it!

Dave,

I talked to my wife tonight and she told told me that they have already taken Chris' cane away, he needs it no longer. Monday they will be working on getting him in and out of a vans door and Wednesday he goes home. Amazing!

Tuesday Bill Rickard's Aurora shop is in my sights. I'm going to get up there as early that day as I can.

Kenny,

I wish you were too! But as you aren't I guess this note will have to suffice:

Now I'm here and you're not (in Cleveland)

Now you're here and I'm not!

(That was written in the Cleveland Travel Inn off I-90 tonight!

FRIDAY

​We have had a great trip so far! Jenny, Chandan and I left at 5:32 this morning. Stopped south of Cincinnati for lunch with my friends Jim and Sharon Claypool and got here around 8. We had dinner at Bob Evans place next door to the Travel Inn. Good food!

I didn't think to shoot any photos....sorry.

But tomorrow I'll shoot and post from the Canadian side of the border! See y'all then!

jbalch - Posted - 08/14/2015:  19:21:28

I just got in from a week in Louisiana.  Your new cd was waitin' for me here.  Love it!  The songs are great fun ... the music is truly fantastic too!

Edited by - jbalch on 08/14/2015 19:22:19

Nels - Posted - 08/15/2015:  02:55:29

No cane?!!! Way to go Chris!!   ......amazing....  have a safe trip, Dan.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/15/2015:  03:16:04

From Cleveland still...

John,

Glad you got it and are enjoying it!

Nels,

Amazing isn't it! Thanks!

Paul,

Thank you so much for the early morning surprise!

Edited by - Dan Knowles on 08/15/2015 03:16:40

Dave1climber - Posted - 08/15/2015:  06:12:35

Home Wednesday !!     Wonderful !!  Still pulling for a full recovery.

Bufo Bill - Posted - 08/15/2015:  14:58:42

Go Chris! Good man!
All the best from Bill. :D

dcraft - Posted - 08/16/2015:  18:55:22

Dan, I got the CD yesterday.  Nice, very nice.  Thanks so much.  I hope that Chris is doing well.

Shake-Boy - Posted - 08/17/2015:  05:43:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dan Knowles

 

From Cleveland still...

Paul,

Thank you so much for the early morning surprise!

---

Right back atcha Dan.  Thank YOU so much for what turned out to be a early afternoon surprise for me.  You're quite a thoughtful guy.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 08/18/2015:  19:33:32

Several of us will be home tomorrow evening, Chris, Debbie, Jenny, Chandan and I. This has been a wonderful and very busy trip! I'll write a big post on Friday. 

Just a short note... I went up to Aurora, Ontario to Rickard Banjos. I got to see Bill, Sean and the rest of his great crew. Wonderful!!!

See y'all here on the Hangout after I get home!