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BNJOMAKR - Posted - 09/07/2018: 18:51:34
Well, It is COMPLETE! It took almost two months to get the metal parts back from Nashville Plating Service, and they did a great job. I finished up the banjo today, and as promised, I will reveal the new owner to be.... Russ Carson, banjo player for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. About a year ago, Russ contacted me about building a mini version of his Gold Star 81 Crowe banjo. During the build, it was decided that the engraving on the armrest and tension hoop would be done by Russ's father, master craftsman/engraver/carver Glenn Carson. This has been a challenging build for me... trying to copy another banjo, and banjo case, into a miniature version. I'll make a video of it in a few days so that it can be heard... Here are a few pictures that I took today.
KDBanjo - Posted - 09/07/2018: 19:29:29
Wow! Very nice! That banjo is amazing!
What are the dimension? How big is the head?
GSCarson - Posted - 09/07/2018: 19:33:46
Marvin, I am blown away by what you did with this mini, it truly is amazing work!
BNJOMAKR - Posted - 09/08/2018: 01:50:30
quote:
Originally posted by KDBanjo
Wow! Very nice! That banjo is amazing!
What are the dimension? How big is the head?
The banjo is 22.5" long and has a 6.75" head.
Ken LeVan - Posted - 09/08/2018: 05:14:10
Really beautiful as usual, Marvin!
You are alone as the supreme builder of these little gems.
Culloden - Posted - 09/08/2018: 06:29:52
Wow. Just, wow.
CompanionBanjo - Posted - 09/08/2018: 06:33:14
Very nice!! Always impressed with these little wonders! Is the 6.75" head a hide head or mylar?
guitarman8491 - Posted - 09/08/2018: 06:37:54
Marvin, what a wonderful build. Your attention to scale and detail is unparalleled! Could’nt be going to a better banjo picker!
PKM - Posted - 09/08/2018: 07:04:09
Absolutely AMAZING ! Beautiful. Stunning craftsmanship.
As an aside, I just got my Banjo Newsletter and see that Russ is on the cover. Can't wait to read that interview. Rush is astounding !
CEParagon124 - Posted - 09/08/2018: 07:23:51
Beautiful work, Marvin. You are a true artist.
Did you ID yourself as the builder somewhere on the instrument, I hope?
Charlie Noyes
Edited by - CEParagon124 on 09/08/2018 07:25:16
banjomary74 - Posted - 09/08/2018: 10:44:34
Do I understand that you HAND-MADE the CASE, too??
I am most definitely impressed by the banjo, but to make such a beautiful case, too, is doubly impressive.
GSCarson - Posted - 09/08/2018: 15:47:41
I've seen the photos of Marvin's mini banjos over the years, but what he is doing really didn't hit home until I unwrapped the box he sent with the tension hoop and armrest for this banjo, whoa, they are tiny! I had to make fixtures to hold both of them, regrind two tools to engrave them, and wait for a day when my eyes were working ok and I thought I could actually do the work. I didn't measure it, but the tension hoop seemed about a 1/4" high, not much to work with when engraving and then bead blasting to put a matt finish on one half of an 1/8" high semi circle! Anyway, I have been following this one closer than usual since it was for my son and have to say again that I am so impressed by Marvin's workmanship and creativity.
mike gregory - Posted - 09/08/2018: 16:01:34
quote:
Originally posted by banjomary74
Do I understand that you HAND-MADE the CASE, too??
I am most definitely impressed by the banjo, but to make such a beautiful case, too, is doubly impressive.
Case build details HERE---->banjohangout.org/topic/343310
BNJOMAKR - Posted - 09/09/2018: 04:10:54
quote:
Originally posted by CompanionBanjo
Very nice!! Always impressed with these little wonders! Is the 6.75" head a hide head or mylar?
The head is mylar. It is a head from a Dixie Uke banjo. The plastic ones hard hard to come by. I try to buy a Dixie every chance I get. The Dixie had a skin head for many years, but the last ones produced had mylar. I bought a new Dixie in the early '80's for $65. A Dixie now ain't cheap... $150 to $250 for one in decent shape. A lot to pay for a banjo head!
BNJOMAKR - Posted - 09/09/2018: 04:15:07
quote:
Originally posted by GSCarson
I've seen the photos of Marvin's mini banjos over the years, but what he is doing really didn't hit home until I unwrapped the box he sent with the tension hoop and armrest for this banjo, whoa, they are tiny! I had to make fixtures to hold both of them, regrind two tools to engrave them, and wait for a day when my eyes were working ok and I thought I could actually do the work. I didn't measure it, but the tension hoop seemed about a 1/4" high, not much to work with when engraving and then bead blasting to put a matt finish on one half of an 1/8" high semi circle! Anyway, I have been following this one closer than usual since it was for my son and have to say again that I am so impressed by Marvin's workmanship and creativity.
Thanks Glenn! When the parts were gold plated, the matt finish disappeared. I don't know if you can or want to put it back once he gets the banjo or not.
BNJOMAKR - Posted - 09/09/2018: 04:16:25
quote:
Originally posted by CEParagon124
Beautiful work, Marvin. You are a true artist.
Did you ID yourself as the builder somewhere on the instrument, I hope?
Charlie Noyes
Yes... I engraved info on the bottom edge of the rim.
BNJOMAKR - Posted - 09/09/2018: 04:31:24
The building of it is on Facebook for those who are members, here's a link to the Photo Album....
facebook.com/marvin.walker.148...h6hMBHlzw
Here are the videos that I made...
Edited by - BNJOMAKR on 09/09/2018 04:33:57
Stephen45710 - Posted - 09/09/2018: 05:19:29
Another beautiful banjo! It is always a treat when you showcase your builds. Thanks for taking the time to post the thread.
Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 09/09/2018: 10:10:07
Thank you for posting, it's really beautiful and (as always with your work) perfectly detailed.
Zach
DiddyBum - Posted - 09/09/2018: 12:54:17
Beautiful work. Interesting way of acquiring the head, is it not cheaper/possible to goad Remo into producing one?
Dan Drabek - Posted - 09/09/2018: 15:15:01
Marvin, that little dude has a wonderful voice. Such sustain and clarity! It sounds like a child singing. Must be those little "vocal chords." It's not just a tiny banjo, it displays an almost unique sound. A completely different instrument. What a great tool for Russ Carson to add to his musical arsenal. I look forward to hearing what he can do with it.
My hats off to you. Your work always inspires.
DD
withelisa - Posted - 09/11/2018: 18:00:24
I'm so glad you shared videos! Those chimes are sweet as could be. Beautiful work.
Ira Gitlin - Posted - 09/12/2018: 05:27:42
Marvin, are you the guy who made that tiny banjo for Little Roy Lewis a few years back?
BNJOMAKR - Posted - 09/12/2018: 09:18:32
Yes... that be me!
KD Banjer - Posted - 09/12/2018: 18:38:19
Amazing banjo, Marvin. Very impressive.
CEParagon124 - Posted - 09/13/2018: 08:31:37
Marvin, your mini-banjos really ring and the sustain is quite marked.
Have you ever stuffed the pot on one? I'd love to hear the difference.
Charlie Noyes
Ira Gitlin - Posted - 09/13/2018: 08:59:25
quote:
Originally posted by BNJOMAKR
Yes... that be me!
I remember seeing Little Roy playing it at Gettysburg a few years back. IIRC, you made a case for the thing that was like a fine instrument in its own right--figured maple with white binding.
Buddur - Posted - 09/13/2018: 09:36:29
Nice!
Been watching alot of 81 Crowe' YouTube videos lately...trying to absorb some of his amazing picking. Can't wait for the video of him playing it.
BNJOMAKR - Posted - 11/03/2018: 06:14:19
Here are a couple of photos that Russ has shared with me...
