Building a fretless - Hicks Version - Mountain Banjo Group Blog

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Building a fretless - Hicks Version

From will1976 on 6/3/2014 3:56:51 PM

After reading most of the posts on here, I have decided to try a build myself a banjo, akin to Stanley Hicks'. I have FF3, but I am a little confused.

I was thinking of using Sapele (part of the same hardwood family as Mahogany. The 1st problem I have is that the thinnest I can get in is 1 inch (25mm). Is it going to present any problems if all 3 sections that form the body are all if this thickness? Thus giving a rim thickness of 3 inches (75mm),

2nd problem is, as this will be my 1st selfbuild, I wanted to make it a little easier for myself, so I was thinking of using a commercially made 'tambourine' as the head. Will this work? Has anyone else done this? If so, does anyone have any suggestions of how to fix it to the middle hoop, and also how to get it so that the head is flush with the top of the banjo?

I am quite good when it comes to being hands on, so I am quite looking forward to doing this, so any help that anyone can give with these 2 problems will really be appreciated.

Kind regards

Will

3 Comments
	BobJJ says: 6/3/2014 4:12:22 PM You could use a 6" or 8" drum head. I have used these for building banjo ukes. A few years ago, I had bought a 3-pack of 8" heads for ~$20. Something like these: musiciansfriend.com/drums-perc...ated-head -Bob
	chip arnold says: 6/3/2014 6:48:33 PM 3" thickness is no problem using a calfskin head is easy. Easier probably than cutting your top piece to accept the commercial head. Since the head's crown won't be anywhere near 1", you'll have to cut a step into the hole in the top piece to accept the head band.
	will1976 says: 6/9/2014 4:23:03 AM Thanks both for the advice.
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