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Fungal Harmony - Posted - 08/26/2024: 15:11:50
Hi all. As you can tell from my username, I live in Missouri. There are a lot of eastern red cedars near where I live, and I’ve always loved the look and smell of eastern red cedar, which is very deceptively named as it’s a species of juniper. But anyways, I’m making my first banjo, and as I’m thinking about becoming a luthier, I want to make everything (just shy of tuners, hardware or tacks, and tailpiece) my self. This includes the rim (not to mention that my first pick, cherry, is really expensive). So I ask you, banjo hangout builders, does juniper do well for a rim? I know pine doesn't but I also know spruce does (or at least makes a good soundboard). So what about juniper?
Edited by - Fungal Harmony on 08/26/2024 15:12:55
davidppp - Posted - 08/26/2024: 16:13:01
As best I know from book-learning, most hardwoods can be bent with heat, steam, and/or water. Softwoods can only be bent a very little -- and usually break in the process. A block rim could be made from either -- since the wood isn't bent at all but simply cut. I made an 11-ply rim out of maple veneer that I soaked in the bathtub. I can imagine making a block rim rim patience if you don't have access to a large lathe.
Read this one: banjohangout.org/archive/360684 from a while ago and this very recent one: banjohangout.org/topic/398757
Good or bad is subjective and has to do with what you like. The relevant variables are weight and stiffness. Roughly speaking, heavier and stiffer give quicker response (i.e., shorter rise time) and a bit more sustain. However, the differences are very subtle compared to other design and set-up choices. Timbre differences are really complicated, and many people find light, flexible rims quite satisfying -- actually bright with a lot of punch and snap. -- Go figure!
lapsteel - Posted - 08/26/2024: 16:14:10
No, it’s too soft. Do you have any birch?
Edited by - lapsteel on 08/26/2024 16:14:52
beegee - Posted - 08/26/2024: 16:25:01
Walnut is attractive and plentiful and acoustically acceptable.
Fungal Harmony - Posted - 08/27/2024: 08:55:54
quote:
Originally posted by lapsteel
No, it’s too soft. Do you have any birch?
Yes, I do. Does that make a good banjo?
Pix5String - Posted - 08/27/2024: 09:02:10
Tony Pass made many rims from birch. He made block rims though, not sure how birch works in a laminated rim.
Pix5String - Posted - 08/27/2024: 10:09:14
Excellent link David! I miss Ken’s posts and knowledge.
lapsteel - Posted - 08/27/2024: 11:17:57
quote:
Originally posted by Fungal Harmony
quote:
Originally posted by lapsteel
No, it’s too soft. Do you have any birch?
Yes, I do. Does that make a good banjo?
Block rims?.....You betcha!
Helix - Posted - 08/28/2024: 16:45:20
STOP: EMERGENCY
That JUNIPER IS ACTUALLY. SHAGBARK CEDAR WHICH IS DEADLY POISON FROM ANY CUTTING , VAPORS, FIREPLACE BURNING,
It is JUNIPER ARIZONICA. NO , not !!!!!
I have real red cedar for Helix type banjo rims only in 8 piece form
IT HAS BEEN CURING FOR AT LEAST 20 yrs
Helix - Posted - 08/28/2024: 18:21:09
Thanks for your patience, there are definitely real cedar trees in Missouri whether where I was born down along the Muddy Mo or up at higher elevations, I am not aware that cedars grow in a forest before the hardwoods are displaced by natural process
Mr Levan definitely knew what eastern red cedar might be
Shagbark cedar is often named JUNIPER generically. It is deadly to work, burn and have.
As noted. Cedar smells great and can’t be made into a good “strap” rim only with great trouble
Put a block of cedar in any musical instrument case to keep unwanted insects away = moths, etc
I have two 3-piece Redwood necks where the skunk stripe Jatoba stabilizes the neck giving two knock notes
I like what everyone writes, not what anybody says
laguna21dc - Posted - 09/04/2024: 20:59:29
I remember when I was in my 20,s I helped a friend fall and cut up a what looked like an oak tree . Even the grain looked like oak but it turned out to be poisonous and we all got sick from the saw dust . My friend burned it for fire wood and got rashes
Edited by - laguna21dc on 09/04/2024 21:00:46
