campandstrum - Posted - 10/01/2023:  21:05:36

I just finished another banjo build. Long 5th string (still tuned to G5 like a regular banjo). What do you think of the color of the rim and bracket shoes?

Purple anodized banjo side view

Purple anodized banjo top

Purple anodized banjo angle view

 

roadkingjimmy - Posted - 10/01/2023:  22:01:45

That’s a good looking banjo!

martyjoe - Posted - 10/01/2023:  22:48:05

It looks good. I also like the shoulder rest.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 10/02/2023:  02:18:07

What’s the rim like? Dowelstick or co=rod? More photo detail would be nice.

MRichaud - Posted - 10/02/2023:  04:46:29

Well, this LSU alum loves it!!

banjobrewer - Posted - 10/02/2023:  10:48:10

What’s the scale and nut width? I’ve been thinking of a long fifth build.

campandstrum - Posted - 10/02/2023:  13:15:13

Bill Rodgers- Rudy rod style.

Banjobrewer- This one has 1.6" nut width and a 23 1/2" scale length. My next ones will have a 25 1/2" scale length.

Purple anodized banjo back view

 

campandstrum - Posted - 10/04/2023:  17:01:44

I do prefer the look of the other style rims that I make with box joints. The box joint rims seem to have a little bit clearer tone.

Banjo rim- box joints

 

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 10/04/2023:  22:12:29

Well, I'm a traditionalist, so the purple doesn't do much for me.

I'd go 100% nickel plated or 100% brass hardware with EVO gold colored frets.

Your workmanship is top-notch, and of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but

if sales are important to you, I'd think the anodized colors might be a deal breaker for some people.

banjowannabe - Posted - 10/05/2023:  03:07:39

quote:

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Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

Well, I'm a traditionalist, so the purple doesn't do much for me.

I'd go 100% nickel plated or 100% brass hardware with EVO gold colored frets.

Your workmanship is top-notch, and of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but

if sales are important to you, I'd think the anodized colors might be a deal breaker for some people.

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And a deal maker for others.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 10/06/2023:  13:34:00

That's true!

I haven't seen many banjos with purple hardware, so you may just have the market cornered.

Full steam ahead!

campandstrum - Posted - 10/08/2023:  19:39:40

Banjowannabev- Thanks

R. D. Lunceford. "I haven't seen many banjos with purple hardware, so you may just have the market cornered. Full steam ahead!" - Thanks for your replies. Besides building instruments, I have a larger business that really pays the bills and overhead. I build instruments because I enjoy building them. My goal is to continue building high quality instruments that are innovative and offer things that the other guys don't. It will not be as large of a market as more conventional designs but, that is OK with me.

Paul R - Posted - 10/09/2023:  00:50:48

quote:

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Originally posted by banjowannabe

quote:

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Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

... if sales are important to you, I'd think the anodized colors might be a deal breaker for some people.

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And a deal maker for others.

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And a mass producer could offer options.

Nice banjo!

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 10/09/2023:  09:35:53

quote:

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Originally posted by campandstrum

My goal is to continue building high quality instruments that are innovative and offer things that the other guys don't. It will not be as large of a market as more conventional designs but, that is OK with me.

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Of course. 

You asked an honest question and I gave an honest answer. Everybody has their own taste, and your designs may well scratch someone's itch.

Really, except for the colored hardware, the banjo you posted is pretty conventional, and again, your workmanship looks top-notch.

Damn the torpedoes!

Best; RD

campandstrum - Posted - 10/09/2023:  14:17:19

R.D. Lunceford- Here are some of the specs that are and are not obvious from the images: Aluminum tension ring and machined aluminum bracket shoes, long 5th string with geared 12:1 ratio tuners (faster ratio than most geared tuners), Rudy rod with slotted rim for easy neck adjustment, carbon fiber neck reinforcing, most of my builds have box jointed rims (I don't believe any else is doing this), the brass tension hoop sits in an ebony seat and the ring is very slightly short so the head tension pushes the ring down and against the inside step on the seat, the arm rest is designed to put very little pressure on the tension ring and puts the pressure on the bracket shoes, fine thread (32 tpi) tension hooks with machined aluminum nuts, and of course, its purple.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 10/10/2023:  11:26:38

campandstrum

Any sound samples?