Gourd sizes...

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Gourd Banjo Owners and Builders

Join This Group

This group is for anyone who owns or builds Gourd Banjos

142 Members, Created 3/6/2011 -

Administrators: Austin Stovall (owner)

< Back to Home

From domjohnson on 5/11/2013 8:27:38 AM

Hi there,

I'm thinking of building a gourd banjo, and have been looking into it a bit, but being based in the UK, there are very few suppliers of dried gourds. Actually, I've only found one, with the gourds being around 20-22cm in diameter (7 3/4 in to 8 2/3 in).

Will these be big enough, especially considering the head will actually be slightly smaller than this with the tapered sides and all?

7 Comments
	Strumelia says: 5/11/2013 6:58:22 AM I have a small gourd and a larger gourd banjo, same maker, same scale length. The larger one definitely has the better and more resonant tone. The smaller gourd is kinda fun to play and travels better, but has a thinner and quieter tone. I prefer the larger gourd- has more of what you want a gourd banjo for- that deep round resonant tone!
domjohnson says: 5/11/2013 8:09:56 AM Right...do you know of anywhere that sells the bigger gourds and ships to the UK?
	Strumelia says: 5/11/2013 2:25:37 PM Hopefully someone else can recommend a source for you. I suggest you try to obtain 'canteen' gourds, because they are a bit flatter shaped and thus easier to hold in the lap while playing.
	ploafman says: 5/12/2013 8:34:31 PM I've used gourds from 10.5-12 inches and like the deep tones that come from the larger gourd, giving them a unique sound, because standard banjos aren't known for their bass notes, whereas gourd banjos can have really pleasant bass tones.
	Strumelia says: 5/13/2013 5:37:08 AM Dom all I can say is to Google or ask other gourd banjo makers...I don't know any gourd suppliers myself.
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 6/7/2013 6:29:35 PM I have been away for quite a while and just came across this item today. When making my first Gourd Banjo I bought a gourd and then planted the seeds from it. It takes a full year to grow and mature a gourd but I ended up with many large gourds and now have three Gourd Banjos and quite a few gourds yet to use. My gourds are a foot or more across, so are quite large and they sound great in my view. I note that you are in the UK Dom, and whether or not gourds will grow where you live I wouldn't know. I am in Sydney and I imagine that our climate is quite different to yours. Anyway it may be an option to consider. I got my original gourd from John Tol who trades as The Gourdfather and he is in Maitland in NSW. He posts seed anywhere and you will be able to find him on the Net. All the best Dom and I hope you get a start somewhere.
	flatfootjohnny says: 6/20/2013 3:26:57 PM Hey Dom I have a couple of gourds. Quite big around11" or so and a bit wonky. but loads of character. I could sell you one if you like. The supplier i got them from moved to New Zealand unfortunately. Ive tried growing them. in three years only got one decent sized gourd. that was around 8"... not been sunny enough.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

	"Neil Gow's Lament on the Death of his Second Wife." #Clawhammer #Banjo #clawhammerbanjo #scottish Linked by decorah818 3 years ago: I love gourd banjos
	Seeing Double Linked by Noah Cline 7 years ago: Something you don’t see everyday...
MP3: The Mountain Staircase Linked by Noah Cline 8 years ago
	Darling Nelly Gray, live - Berghan & Denhard Linked by Tom Berghan 9 years ago
MP3: Wayfaring Stranger Linked by Tom Berghan 9 years ago
	Pigtown Fling ~ Gourd Banjo Linked by Noah Cline 9 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by Tom Berghan 9 years ago
	Seprewa & Gourd Banjo Improv #1 Linked by markweems 9 years ago
	Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane Linked by Tom Berghan 9 years ago
	Kick Up De Debble On A Holiday: Berghan & Weems Linked by markweems 10 years ago