Maybe I missed it. What was the cost of the materials?
"2. Materials and supplies" has a bit of information on cost, but it depends on where you shop. The total cost should come in under $100. You can purchase a cheap banjo for close to the same price, but it's really about the learning process. The entire "Give a man a fish..." parable is demonstrated here.
Thanks, Marvin. I did take some inspiration on exactly the way to do this presentation from some of your profusely illustrated mini-banjo topics. I'm going to post some final photos and another comparison video using the Aquila Nylguts as well as some thoughts on "Where do we go from here?". My ability to do the final posts is somewhat slowed by my wife's recent decision for a kitchen re-modeling that is taking a bunch of re-work on the existing cabinetry. How's a guy supposed to cook with the kitchen all torn up?
As Promised, here is the entire build thread up to this point in pdf form so you can print it off or take it to a laptop to your workshop with you -Documents and pictures at the end of each thread page. The two video demo links are not included because they would be large and cause problems in the .pdfs but here are their urls (Fret Dressing) "youtube.com/watch?v=Oeng_VEI-os" and (playing demo) "youtube.com/watch?v=r0e0EPO_bOA" if you need them. OK, Lets build banjos!! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this Rudy - You Rock!! . . .er . . .Pick!!!
Thanks. I wasn't questioning the cost of making versus the cost of buying, I was just curious.
LIke most Scruggs pickers, I have a fascination for clawhammer, and it would be cool to actually build an instrument.
A couple of questions:
1.) I don't have a band saw. Do you think a jig saw, or a coping saw could be used to make the cuts?
2.) Do you think linseed oil, or tung oil(the real stuff, not the fake stuff you get at Home Depot) could be used instead of bees wax?
3.) Could you post a few closeup pictures of the tailpiece installed, and the neck/dowel attachment?
This post, with all of the photo's and tips, makes it seem like making an instrument is actually within reach.
Thanks,
Tim
Hi Tim,
1. I suppose you could certainly use some type of alternate sawing method depending on how good you were and how much effort you wanted to put in.
2. Any type of finish you wish to use could certainly be applied. A true tung oil or even Tru-oil would be good alternative options.
3. There are more "Finished" photos and a video or two to post when strung with Aquila Nylguts, so that's in the works. I could also include a few other shots like the neck joint cloe-up. I'll put that on the check list.
Yes, it's designed to whet your whistle and prime your appetite for building. It's about the simplest I could come up with and still be a "real" banjo. It's got serious mojo and is a blast to play!
Here are the "as-built" photos. The first few are detail shots of the neck heel area and tailpiece after they were waxed and just prior to slapping everything back together. If you look closely you can see my preferred string attachment methods for the Aquila Nylguts. I didn't spend much time prettying up the loops on the tailpiece, but the lock wraps hold very securely with no slipping. I do a double pass under the string at the tuner post as a lock wrap. I also have a "crossover" nylon strung guitar that uses fluorocarbon strings and I do all my string wraps the same way, as fluorocarbon strings can be difficult to keep from slipping. No problem here!
I will post a couple of quick video demos with the Aquila strings to demonstrate the tone as soon as I work in a bit of time to do them.
Thanks so much for your work on this Randy. Great stuff. A question about the fret that the 5th string lies on. Is it the same as the others? How does the 5th string clear the next fret without buzzing? Is it just done at the bridge?
The string clears the next fret in the same way that any string fretted at the 5th fret does, which is to say that as long as everything is put together right and the bridge is a suitable height it will not buzz or touch any other fret. Just imagine the 5th tuner as a permanent finger, or something like that.
The earlier demo featured "Cumberland Gap" (3 part version) played with fishing leader strings. Here's the same tune to compare after stringing with Aquila Nylguts.
It’s always my suggestion that someone new to banjo building start with a simple project such as this, or perhaps something even simpler such as the “Hand Drum / Wine Box Fretless Banjo” that can be found on the Bluestemstrings.com website.
A simple project will introduce you to concepts that might be confusing such as proper string spacing, setup for easy playing action, intonation, scale length, or other aspects of stringed instrument construction that might not be as clear as we would want them to be. A side benefit of starting simple is that once you’ve tasted success it’s much easier to use what you have learned along the way to produce instruments that are “higher up the food chain”. In other words, take what you have learned and run with it.
The banjo featured here could be adapted easily to a pot of your own design and construction, serving as a gateway to making rims or simple brass hardware. Do a bit more research and make the neck featured here with an adjustable truss rod and use steel strings. Obtain a few specially tools such as a properly sized hand saw for fret tangs and develop your fretting skills. Branch out to other neck designs using vertical string post tuners, tunneled fifth strings, and fancy scoop designs. New neck skills can incorporate fret board and peg head overlay, presenting you the opportunity of learning to work with mother of pearl inlay and even engraving.
As your skills progress you may realize within a relatively short time that there’s little to be gained from purchasing “store-bought” instruments, and you can have as many great banjos in your corral as you want!
Regardless of how far your new quest takes you perhaps the best thing of all is playing music on an instrument that you’ve crafted with your own two hands. There’s something primal about it that just isn’t matched by anything else ...at least for me.
As I originally stated, all the photos can be viewed in the "Banjo Building 101" photo folder on my home page and here's a final pdf of only the main text. Do refer back to the actual topic to check for questions and answers, though.
Again, thanks for following and my the sun shine brightly on all of your building endeavors!
Thanks for this amazing resource! I can't wait to get started!
I've been searching for a couple of days trying to find the correct lumber. Do you have any advice on where to find the wood in the dimensions you suggested? Did you have to plane or rip these boards to size?
Thanks for this amazing resource! I can't wait to get started!
I've been searching for a couple of days trying to find the correct lumber. Do you have any advice on where to find the wood in the dimensions you suggested? Did you have to plane or rip these boards to size?
Hi Tyler,
I purchase rough lumber and dimension it myself normally, but this build was done using wood sourced from my local big box store, either Menard's or Lowe's. You'll have to cut the width down obviously, but planing was not needed.
I was lucky enough to be the recipient of the first Bluestem hand-drum banjo Rudy built a few years ago.
I use it for a hiking and backpacking banjo, for going on 3-ish years(how long has it been now Rudy???).
Its been from the Arkansas Ozarks to the Sierra Nevadas , and it is still holding strong.
I don't treat this thing nice either, its wrapped in a trash bag and bungie corded to my pack for 1-2 weeks at a time. Its been rained on, snowed on, sleeted on, below freezing temps, you name it.
I have never made any adjustments to the banjo. Action is still the same, as far as I can tell, as when I got it. Head tension seems about the same. Everything is holding up fine, kind of surprised at how well.
And Rudy, I have learned to love the fret-less : ) It is very pleasing waking up on a cold and frost morn on the trail, with ice covering the branches and the fog still lingering, and playing a slow, slippery version of cold frosty morn before you even get out of your sleeping bag : )
Hi, Garrett. Thanks for the comments, it's nice to hear first-hand as to the durability of the hand drum when made into a banjo.
The Remo World Percussion series gets a lot of nice comments on the durability and sound qualities from the drum folks, so I took that into account when deciding to use them as a basis for a banjo project. The smaller version that you have is a sweet little instrument and I see why it would make a great packer. Glad to hear it worked out well!
Note: Anyone wishing to make a copy of Garrett's banjo can find the free downloadable pdfs and information about how to make it at my website:
The travel banjo is based on the original "Wine Box Banjo", but it can be adapted to just about anything; gas can, mailbox, cookie tin, cigar box, hub cap, you name it. Let your imagination run wild!
Garrett I was the lucky recipient of the Bluestemstrings 101 banjo Walnut hand drum banjo . I am quite amazed at the playability of such a simple instrument ,I was always intrigued by the slotted rear fifth no issues of it being in the way when playing .I also really like the bees wax finish which is silky smooth to the touch . I have been playing it since yesterday superlight weight and a lot of fun ! This will be a nice travel banjo to take camping and to outdoor events this year . The project is way beyond what one would expect from such a meager budget once in hand ! This banjo is really cool Thank you Randy !
Can't believe the timing on this! I was just about to start muddling through a build just like this on my own with no instruction for an artist friend of mine. I had already picked up a Remo hand drum and was going to do a simple 1 x 2 neck for a four stringer, now I'm confident I can build a nice 5 string! I've built numerous ukuleles and cigar box guitars, so I have the basic skill set. I may change up a few things, like the headstock, but what a great tutorial! Thank you so much and can't wait to post pictures of my finished banjo!
Can't believe the timing on this! I was just about to start muddling through a build just like this on my own with no instruction for an artist friend of mine. I had already picked up a Remo hand drum and was going to do a simple 1 x 2 neck for a four stringer, now I'm confident I can build a nice 5 string! I've built numerous ukuleles and cigar box guitars, so I have the basic skill set. I may change up a few things, like the headstock, but what a great tutorial! Thank you so much and can't wait to post pictures of my finished banjo!
Go for it! Nothing's cast in stone with banjos so they invite modification to more closely meet the requirements of the new builder.
Have fun with your build, and most definitely post some completed photos.
