Weitzel - Posted - 03/14/2014:  19:21:58

I've started working on a very interesting build for a customer who wanted his banjo built in the style of Mid-Century Modern architecture. This is not the first thing you think of when you think of banjo styling, but it had been a fun project to work on.  Most of the styling will show up in the inlays and tailpiece and armrest, and maybe a few other small bits. I worked a long time with him to finalize a design and it is well underway now. Here are some photos.

The Block Rim Glue up and the roughed out neck and fretboard.

The Rim on the lathe

The mostly finished Rim and Resonator, with some very simplified (and bullet-like) shoes.

One more thing... if anyone has not yet had a look at my Indiegogo campaign or may want some super-cool banjo playing cards (or a pre-ordered banjo or ukulele), take a look at the link -  you have until Sunday night to take part! - igg.me/at/weitzelbanjo/x/5986406

Jeffrey

Dave1climber - Posted - 03/14/2014:  19:56:48

Its starting to look like a banjo, and if prior banjo's are any indicator this one will be a good looker and great player.

ronjohnston - Posted - 03/14/2014:  20:54:39

Sounds like an appropriate fit.  One of the early modern architects, Le Corbusier, is noted for saying, "A house is a machine for living in."  I guess a banjo is essentially a "machine for playing."  Be interesting to see how it turns out -

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 03/15/2014:  04:29:21

I like it. I especially like the way you have counter-sunk the bullet bracket shoes into the side of the rim...

mike gregory - Posted - 03/15/2014:  04:53:15

I imagine it will look great and play even greater.

I also it will be played while standing, since it might be terribly uncomfortable to have the weight of the banjo suppported by one or two bullet-points on one's upper leg.

Oh, wait!
There is a resonator, beyond which the points shall not extend.

I was thinking in pounds-per-sqaure-inch, and not really thinkinng of the banjo as a finished item.

Carry on.

Weitzel - Posted - 03/15/2014:  22:11:30

• Thank you all for the nice comments.

• Marvin, the countersinking works really well to eliminate the slight angling upward that is otherwise bound to happen once tension is on them.  They have a really snug fit in those holes (let's call them bullet holes).

• Mike, I am obviously a big fan of bullet points. • I think the ones in this reply look quite sharp, supported by at least half a dozen of them • The ones on the banjo have been contoured for comfort (but could be sharpened should the customer make me upset.)

• In case anyone is wondering about the name Eichler, he was one of the most prominent Mid Century Modern architects. I grew up spending a lot of time in my Grandparent's Eichler designed home in California. It was an incredible home - very open and livable. I'm really glad to have that connection in making this banjo.

Weitzel - Posted - 03/16/2014:  17:03:17

I have been corrected on Eichler being an architect.  He was not - he was a real estate developer and builder who popularized the mid-century architectural style in homes and subdivisions, mostly in California, but was none-the-less very influential, bringing the Mid-Century style of Frank Lloyd Wright and others to middle class Americans. Lots of good information on him here - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Eichler. 

guitarman8491 - Posted - 03/16/2014:  18:29:19

Looks like its gonna be a great banjo.

Jonnycake White - Posted - 03/17/2014:  08:08:15

Countersinking the bullets into the rim = stroke of genius.  The moment I saw them, I wondered how you were going to counteract the upward rotation - but now it looks like an idea I could happily steal - er, copy.

Very interesting peg head shape.  I've made one or two myself.  I assume it will be slotted like a violin, right?

BTW my aunt had an Eichler home in California, in which we lived for a short time.  My older brother apparently liked it so well he has bought one of the few two-story Eichlers ever built, in San Francisco.

Edited by - Jonnycake White on 03/17/2014 08:12:29

Weitzel - Posted - 03/17/2014:  09:32:57

I don't believe I invented countersinking, so steal away!  And yes, it will be slotted like a violin with Peghed tuners. Glad to see someone else has had an Eichler experience, too! 

rudy - Posted - 03/17/2014:  13:14:20

Hi Jeff,

I don't want to seem critical, but I would suggest that you give consideration to your bracket posts.  If there is no large surface at the mounting point against the rim the stresses imposed by head tension will eventually angle them upward, even if countersunk into the rim surface.  I've seen quite a few of the older catalog banjos that were done with round or hex stock that are severely deformed.

I only mention this because we're here to exchange ideas freely, and I'd like everyone to be aware that whatever is chosen for a "shoe" design needs to be carefully evaluated for the stresses that they will endure for many years.

Dan Drabek - Posted - 03/17/2014:  15:25:33

I would also wonder if the countersunk shoes might act as a lever against the glue joint of the rim.

DD

Weitzel - Posted - 04/29/2014:  23:29:17

It's been way too long since I updated here! Quite a bit has been done since last post (yet not enough to explain the amount of time that has passed...) 

I did finally make a tension hoop so I could test out the shoes at full tension. I put on the head and let it sit at 92 on the drum dial for about 2 weeks.  Rudy knows what he is talking about. Although it was very minimal, enough that it could be ignored, there was some upward movement on the shoes. I'm going to take the opportunity to beef them up, albeit with the same basic concept. I'm going to enlarge the shoes to 3/8" stock from the 5/16" that I was using, and also increase the depth of the countersink.  That will greatly increase the overall surface area in contact with the wood, which I am hoping will reduce the upward movement to a negligent level. When I make the new shoes, I'm also going to style them a bit more "architecturally". The current shoes will not be a loss, as I think they'll work well for a mini-build that I'll be doing soon.

The neck in the photos is not actually attached, just propped up, but has since been properly attached with my adjustable mechanism, allowing the string action to be adjusted without any co-rods. It is a really nice tight fit for lots of surface contact (and sound transfer!).

The pop-up capo system is also installed, running from the first to seventeenth frets.

I've done more since these photos as well.These were taken last week and I've been too tired to get around to posting things, but I'll try to post more in the next few days.  I've got the resonator attached with newly designed adjustment brackets, and the inlays are cut out, but not installed. The peg holes are now reamed with the tuners test-fitted.  

I'm hoping to be able to get this to the point I can put some strings on it by this weekend. I'll be in Portland at the Northwest Handmade Instrument Exhibit, and I'll be bringing this in whatever state it is in.  I originally hoped It would be completely done, but I'll be happy with strings on at this point! If anyone is in the Portland area, please stop by on Sunday! 

Weitzel - Posted - 04/30/2014:  23:36:44

More photos, as promised.  It is nice to see it with the resonator attached.  I also put the frosted head on that it will have when finished. I usually use the clear one to test while working on it as it is already scratched up, but it lets me see inside easier

A nice back view

and a view of the newly designed adjustable resonator brackets.

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/01/2014:  06:39:43

Great progress! And looking good

Bufo Bill - Posted - 05/01/2014:  14:33:54

The headstock is a work of genius . . . Looks almost skeletal somehow. A unique approach well executed, as others have said before. Well done.
All the best from Bill. :D

Ken LeVan - Posted - 05/01/2014:  14:43:22

I'm curious as to the references to mid century modern architecture. Could you elaborate on that a little more? - I'm not seeing the connection.

Dan Drabek - Posted - 05/01/2014:  14:46:48

I really like your tension hoop and resonator brackets. Very elegant and original. 

DD

Ken LeVan - Posted - 05/01/2014:  14:58:46

I agree with Dan - very nice!

Weitzel - Posted - 05/02/2014:  11:19:30

The Mid-Century context will start to make more sense when I get some pictures up of the tailpiece, armrest and inlays. I'm working on tailpiece and armrest right now (just came in for a short break), so I hope to have some pictures to post on Monday or Tuesday.  I'll be gone over the weekend at the Northwest Handmade Instrument Exhibit.

Weitzel - Posted - 05/04/2014:  23:47:11

Got back to from the Exhibit tonight, which was a lot of fun. But before I go get some much needed sleep, I thought I'd post a couple of photos.  One is of me and my son at our table. The other is of the Eichler banjo, which I was just able to string up before heading to Portland for the show. It finally shows the tailpiece and armrest, which add a lot of the character this banjo will have. The inlays will be soon.

Weitzel - Posted - 05/25/2014:  22:54:32

Getting closer to completion here.  The neck inlays are done, and I've gotten all of the hickory ebonized.  I like the ebonizing process because it is a chemical reaction that is created within the wood.  The homemade solution that is put on is not black at all, but a deep rust color (because it is just iron dissolved in vinegar), but it reacts with the tannins within the wood, which hickory is very high in.  I also concentrate the tannins a bit more before adding the vinegar solution by brewing a very strong cup of black tea, which is also very high in tannic acid, and brushing that onto the wood first.  The end result is quite dark.  Compare the before and after pictures of the fretboard. 

Here is the fretboard in the inlay process, with the inlays just epoxied in.

and here is after things have been sanded down and ebonized.

and here are a couple of views of it with the parts (minus the hardware) in rough banjo shape.

Also, here is a picture of the updated shoes that I made - I'm calling them "cantilevered beam" shoes as it fits the theme much  better than bullets - and a couple of bridges. The top bridge I am much more satisfied with, visually anyways, as I tried either one out on a banjo yet to hear them.  I went with the star-burst theme to match the inlays, but it may not be apparent on the bottom bridge.

All that is left is to fret the thing, patina the brass and bronze (it will be a rather dark patina) and finish the wood.  There may be some coloration happening to the  maple as well, but Paul (the person this is for - BHO's Shakeboy) and I are still undecided on the shade we will be going for.  Anyone have thoughts on a color range? 

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 05/26/2014:  04:06:39

Beautiful work!!!!

Shawn Hoover - Posted - 05/26/2014:  05:16:07

Very nice. Your ebonized hickory comes out awesome.

I like the raw chatoyance of unstained figured maple, myself, (with maybe a touch of amber in the finish or a coat of boiled linseed oil) but probably most woodworkers and customers don't share that opinion. This banjo will definitely look great either way. Good luck with your choice.

Weitzel - Posted - 05/26/2014:  08:12:25

Apparently I forgot to actually attach the photo of the bridge and shoes. Here it is!

Lyndon Smith - Posted - 05/27/2014:  05:55:48

I like you're attention to detail, it sure is a work of art, well done...

Weitzel - Posted - 05/28/2014:  00:38:47

Bronze and brass is now patinad (patinaed, patinated, patina-ed, proper past tense anyone?)  and the fretboard is fretted. Pretty much left to finishing and set-up at this point. Would still appreciate more input on the color. Shawn, your "touch of amber" suggestion has some support at home from my painter wife who is much better at color choices than I.

Weitzel - Posted - 07/03/2014:  18:26:23

Here is the completed project. If you were following the thread on color choices for this (banjohangout.org/topic/285606/#3600470) the result was a light, warm amber color that seems to blend seemlessly into the design. It highlighted the grain as hoped without standing out too much on its own. 

I am really enjoying playing this and will have a bit of a hard time sending it to Paul soon.  It is loud and clear with a lot of sustain. I really just enjoy hearing how different in character each banjo is. 

Plenty more photos of it on my website if you'd lilke. Click on any photo, or here - weitzelbanjo.com/gallery/the-e...er-banjo/

Jeffrey

Edited by - Weitzel on 07/03/2014 18:28:12

sugarinthegourd - Posted - 07/03/2014:  18:31:40

Beautiful banjo!!

Lyndon Smith - Posted - 07/04/2014:  02:30:16

Beautiful and Innovative...

Dave1climber - Posted - 07/04/2014:  06:43:05

Very nice.

Mike D. - Posted - 07/05/2014:  06:26:29

Beautiful banjo!

Shawn Hoover - Posted - 07/05/2014:  17:25:00

Yeah, man, you nailed the finish. Wow. And the tailpiece, and the armrest, and all the hardware, and... I like it all.

Weitzel - Posted - 07/08/2014:  12:12:12

I had my friend and teacher, Chuck Holloway (BHO's CMHolloway), over yesterday for a lesson and to take a look at the Eichler.  We did some recording, and here are some clips from it.

Edited by - Weitzel on 07/08/2014 12:13:22

Clip 1

Clip 2

saulsmanb - Posted - 07/08/2014:  12:21:00

Wow! Beautiful looking and sounding. Your attention to detail manifests itself in so many ways on this instrument.

All the best!

Brian Saulsman

Patrick Hanna - Posted - 07/08/2014:  13:21:16

I can see that the resonator rim is of stacked block construction and I think that's both interesting and cool. Is the resonator dish also lathe turned? Looks like it might have a very subtle recurve. Very nice.