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Page47 - Posted - 03/23/2015: 12:45:48
Last week I traveled to Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC to spend a week with the guys from Pisgah Banjos building an instrument (
inside.warren-wilson.edu/~conf...Banjo.php). Start to finish, it was an absolutely incredible experience. I already have 2 Pisgah banjos (a Cherry Dobson and a Rambler) as well as an Enoch Tradesman.
I’ve been playing old-time clawhammer banjo for a bit over 2 years now and in that time I’ve done some tinkering with setup and getting to know the instrument. That said, much of what makes a banjo work has been a bit of a mystery. I didn’t know what to expect going into this class and how much would be “building” and how much would just be “putting parts together”. When we arrived first thing Monday morning, on our bench was what looked like a 4X4 block of black walnut, a truss rod, an allen key and a filled toolbox. It was at this point, that I knew this was going to “building”! Over the next 5 days, we spent plenty of time with a planer, joiner, bandsaw, belt sander, oscillating spindle sander and lathe. We hand shaped that raw walnut into a beautiful banjo neck with a rasp, spokeshave and scraper. We learned the art of fret installation and dressing. We steam bent the banjo rim and after a scarf joint and glue up, we turned the rims on a lathe to get the perfect shape. We learned how to hand shape a traditional dowel stick. We hand shaped a bone nut and pip. We did all the finishing and buffing with a spray varnish. Along the way, we learned all the geometry and theory behind how this instrument goes together and what makes it work. After 6 long days in the workshop, I wouldn’t use the word “Luthier”, but I will say with confidence that I now know how to build a banjo from raw materials.
The workshop cost $1,045. That price represents an incredible value alone for what we learned. No question. And on top of that, you leave the week with a 12” spun-over rim instrument that you would pay $1,295 for in your local music shop. And then on top of that, again, you leave the week with a banjo that you built with your own hands to keep and play forever. That last piece is priceless! The hospitality of Bill, the workshop manager from WWC, was outstanding with daily home cooked lunches and a constant stream of caffeine and sweets.
The guys from Pisgah Banjos (Patrick and Adam) are incredible teachers. The format was typically about 45 minutes of instruction and demonstration and then they would cut us loose for about 4 hours of building on our own at our own pace. Then another demo followed by building. Patrick and Adam would circulate around the class to offer tips and check our work as we go. We were on our own, but also in very skilled hands. On the last day of the week, Patrick and Adam helped us assemble the instrument and expertly set it up for years of perfect playing. After a long day in the workshop, we would head out for an evening for extracurricular fun: 2 of the many Old Time Jams in Asheville, a shop tour of the Pisgah Banjo shop and a great Mexican dinner, several local brewery visits and awesome contra dance, etc.
If you are interested in open back banjos, you should take this class. If you like woodworking, you should take this class. If you are in the market for a new banjo, you should take this class. If you want to know how to work on your own banjo, you should take this class. Thanks Patrick, Adam and WWC!
Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 03/23/2015: 13:14:53
That sounds really great - and great value for your money too. Where does this happen?
Edited by - Marc Nerenberg on 03/23/2015 13:15:09
Page47 - Posted - 03/23/2015: 13:34:33
quote:
Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg
That sounds really great - and great value for your money too. Where does this happen?
You'll have to ask Patrick at Pisgah Banjo Co for details on the next class. I think he is in the process of scheduling something for this fall, but I don't know any more than that. Please tell him you heard about it from me (Jay White).
R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 03/23/2015: 15:36:23
Looks AWESOME. I've wanted to do this so badly but kids and job make it nigh impossible right now. Thanks for the great report!
jonredmond - Posted - 03/23/2015: 15:42:26
Did get to make the spun over part of the rim?
Page47 - Posted - 03/23/2015: 15:45:17
quote:
Originally posted by jonredmond
Did get to make the spun over part of the rim?
Sadly everything metallic was manufactured. Everything wood or bone was hand shaped. The rim form is of Pisgah design.
morgensd - Posted - 03/23/2015: 15:47:05
Arrrggghhh.....thought about doing this as well but family...work....you know the drill. If there's another class this fall and my work schedule allows it will sign up.
jonredmond - Posted - 03/23/2015: 16:47:32
So how did the spun over part and the wood rim you bent get assembled? I aways assumed that the metal was spun over the wood.
J-Walk - Posted - 03/23/2015: 17:08:43
That sounds like a great week. Other banjo makers should do this.
banjobart - Posted - 03/23/2015: 19:40:24
I am very happy that this is working out for Patrick and Adam. I support them in every way that I am able.
rubicon - Posted - 03/23/2015: 20:07:38
Is that a Fielding tailpiece ?
chip arnold - Posted - 03/24/2015: 05:41:46
Mike Ramsey has done this as well. It's a great idea.
Page47 - Posted - 03/24/2015: 06:15:30
"So how did the spun over part and the wood rim you bent get assembled? I aways assumed that the metal was spun over the wood."
I don't know the "traditional" method. Non-wood Pisgah rims are actually stainless steel. Patrick has them machined. Then we steam bent walnut to glue up inside the rim. Once that was set we turned the stainless + wood on a lathe (using some giant/expensive "jaws" jig) and woodturned the walnut on the inside to get a nice even surface and bevel into where it meets the steel.
"I am very happy that this is working out for Patrick and Adam. I support them in every way that I am able."
Bart, Patrick had nothing but kinds words about you all week. "This is how Bart does it." "When I visited Bart a while back, he showed me this." "Bart is the master at this." etc etc. I think we were using your tool boxes if I'm not mistaken? Thanks!
"Is that a Fielding tailpiece?"
Yes, the polished brass Fielding tailpiece that I aged.
Edited by - Page47 on 03/24/2015 06:18:02
KoiBoy - Posted - 03/24/2015: 07:04:14
I heartily endorse everything that Jay (Page47) has written as I too (Craig McClure) am a well pleased and proud graduate of the 3/16-21 Pisgah banjo building workshop at Warren Wilson College. I can't say enough good words about Patrick, Adam and Bill (all true craftsmen) on the organization, detail, and conduct of the class. Instruction and facilities are top notch and you won't ever meet nicer folks. This is the most fun I've had over an entire week in a very long time!
John Gribble - Posted - 03/25/2015: 01:21:55
That would have been a great experience. I did my Masters degree at Warren Wilson and have fond memories of that beautiful place. The college also hosts the Swannanoa Gatherings every summer, tremendous music camps.
pisgahbanjos - Posted - 05/24/2015: 14:14:53
For those of you that are interested, we will be repeating this class in the fall this time with Tim Gardner from Cedar Mtn. banjo helping out. Adam couldn't make the next one. Tell anyone who is interested!
inside.warren-wilson.edu/~conf...Banjo.php
treesner - Posted - 05/28/2015: 12:51:37
Interested in checking out the next class, but am not from the area. Any idea if there's woods to camp in within walking distance to where it's held?
Page47 - Posted - 05/28/2015: 13:25:04
Follow the link Pisgah posted to the info about accommodations (inside.warren-wilson.edu/~conf...tions.php) ... it looks like there are some campgrounds nearby. You can also stay right on the Warren Wilson campus for pretty cheap.
