Helix - Posted - 07/06/2015:  12:52:52

I think I will stay with Mike, that was a really wonderful gesture on his part, I think the gift could easily have been accepted graciously.

Looks like he paddled away on his own. good luck with that.

GrizClaw - Posted - 07/06/2015:  13:06:31

Mike, you really need to donate your brain to science, that is the most interesting banjer case I have ever seen. Then you can also donate your heart so they can figure out how to infect other people with your kindness. Regards, Rick

mike gregory - Posted - 07/06/2015:  16:09:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by Helix

 

I think I will stay with Mike, that was a really wonderful gesture on his part, I think the gift could easily have been accepted graciously.



Looks like he paddled away on his own. good luck with that.

---

Helix, are you unhappy about how this worked out?

I hope there's NO MISUNDERSTANDING about this.

It was not a "gift", and I consider his responses (including private messages) to have been exceptionally gracious.

I cobbled up something with a fairly THICK fretless neck, non-adjustable head, as an item being SOLD to Mr. Giant at a price we could both agree upon.

And he would have had to pay about $50 additional,  for shipping from here to there.

That's a big bite out of the family's grocery money.

I only offered it as an answer to a situation where he was unable to find a banjo WITH frets, WITH a thinner neck, and WITH an adjustable head.

He's happy, I'm happy FOR him, and I've now got a reputation as a Very  Nice Guy, even some sort of genius.

Plus, there's now a banjo I can sell, a banjo with a STORY behind it.

An artwork with a story usually brings a better price.

Let's just all grab whatever banjos we have bought or made.and SING!

===================

KumbaYa, M'lord,

KumbaYA!

KumbaYa, M'lord,

KumbaYA!

KumbaYa, M'lord,

KumbaYAaaaaaaaaa!

===============

Banjo Lefty - Posted - 07/06/2015:  19:49:57

If it were left-handed, I'd have made an offer.

Helix - Posted - 07/06/2015:  20:04:04

I'm sorry Mike, you did a good thing.

mike gregory - Posted - 07/07/2015:  06:31:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banjo Lefty

 

If it were left-handed, I'd have made an offer.

---

Shipping one really LONG package costs more than shipping two smaller ones.

So: In order to cut down on shipping costs, I designed it so the neck comes off the heel for shipping, and at the destination, a dab of glue (not included) and two screws (included)  puts the whole thing together.

Shall I make you a lefty neck?

Alternatively, think back to when you were a schoolboy, making a valentine from red paper.

All you had to do was  just cut off anything that didn't look like a valentine, and the remaining item WAS a valentine.

In like manner:

Get a salad bowl, follow the above pictures, get a hunk of maple (Canada DOES have some maple trees, eh?), cut off anything doesn't look like a  lefty Seeger neck, and, without paying the Import duties, you've got a very similar instrument to this one.

I'm an almost bottomless source of free advice on cobbling stuff together, so feel free to ask.

mike gregory - Posted - 07/07/2015:  06:38:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by Helix

 

I'm sorry Mike, you did a good thing.

---

It's all good.

PM sent.

FolkGiant - Posted - 07/07/2015:  14:18:47

By no means did i intend to start anyone fussing at each other. ;)

I tried to be as gracious as I could with Mike. I was, am and always will be humbled by his talent and generosity.

My family is in a pretty bad way financially these days, and Mike's offering would have been a luxury. My rule of thumb in purchasing anything not food or utilities is this: Use it while I can, only pay what I'm sure to earn back by its (usually inevitable) sale in the future. I've gone through dozens of instruments over 25 years, picking up something old/serviceable when I need to busk, then turning it loose for gas or food money later.

Believe me, if I could have afforded it, I'd have been proud to play that plucker. I just found something I didn't have to defend the value of. I'd hate to have to part with a handmade instrument only to see it devalued by people who couldn't see the skill and love. Had that happen once with a nice handmade mandolin. never again if I can avoid it.

mike gregory - Posted - 07/08/2015:  09:07:08

I was out shopping the thrift stores today, and found a heavy-duty bag for putting OVER a bag of golf clubs, for airline travel.
So I now have a large, somewhat padded bag to add to this banjo, when I put it up for sale at the Art & CraPft fair on the 25th.

And if it still belongs to me on the 26th, I'll put an ad on the BHO, and you good people can try outbid each other.

mikehalloran - Posted - 07/08/2015:  09:31:24

I love that banjo, Mike. If I could still play, I'd be begging you to sell it to me. 

For those looking for gig bags for long necks, electric bass gig bags work and are readily available. 

To the OP, I'm glad you found something to play. I figured that a Res-O-Tone might show up - they often do. Lube those Waverly tuners at least once a year - they wear out if they go dry. 

Best of luck to you. 

loukiii - Posted - 08/05/2015:  10:40:00

Did you ever tell us what happened to the long neck banjo you made? I musta missed it.

mike gregory - Posted - 08/05/2015:  15:30:30

Took it to Jefferson for an art fair.
Not many people actually stopped by the booth.
It was the first year for this festival

Nobody made an offer.

Going to Shawano this weekend, a few miles west of Green Bay (where the football guys are).

We'll see if the better-attended Shawano festival (37th year!!) brings more visitors, and an eager customer.

mike gregory - Posted - 08/08/2015:  18:58:58

Sold!

$110 American money.

To a bucksin clad fellow who does a LOT of interesting stuff.

You know what Spanish roofing tiles look like?

He's re-roofing half of his shed in that fashion, with stapled-down 7-up bottles.

martinsindian - Posted - 08/08/2015:  21:58:25

Glad it found a good home ...

Your a good man with a fine heart Mike Gregory .