My third build was strung up this morning, and, aside from a couple of set-up issues, I'm pretty pleased.
Block rim and neck are of Tasmanian Oak (AKA Mountain Ash - which is neither an Ash nor an Oak, but Eucalyptis Regnans, the tallest flowering plant in the world. I call it "Royal Gum"). Stripes and heel/rim cap are PNG Rosewood (Pterocarpus Indicus), fingerboard and peghead are Ebony. Brackets.hooks, and tailpiece are from Balsam. 1/4 inch brass tubing tone ring, tension hoop, and flesh hoop I fashioned myself. Gotoh tuners and calfskin head are from Smakula. Rim is 11", scale length 25 1/3 ".
I have learned so much through 3 builds now, and a big thanks to all the hangers out for all the inspiration and advice these last few years, especially the late, lamented Ken LeVan.
This will always be a hobby for me, but I will need to start selling them so I can afford to keep building; This will be the first that I will be offering to someone who likes it. Next ones in the pipeline are one of Queensland Maple with accent stripes of Rock Maple and Wenge, and one of Black Walnut and Birds-eye Maple.
So I decided I needed a brand; my mate Mary came up with "Carri Creek Banjos", derived from Carrickalinga Creek, which flows out to the beach within a couple of hundred metres from our house.
John
Looks good :)
Your tailpiece bracket looks like it could be weak. Have you considered this style? Possibly more stylish too.
https://rickardbanjos.ca/collections/hardware/products/ball-end-for-end-of-dowel-stick
Edited by - Fathand on 11/04/2024 15:42:33
Thanks Rick.
Yes, I have several banjos with that classic style. I'm using the "Rudy rod" attachment on my builds, which is a threaded rod running through the dowel stick to a brass insert in the heel - I'm actually pleased that you couldn't tell!
However, you're right, it's not very stylish. I'm thinking of getting some 1/2 inch hexagonal brass rod and threading the end to fit the rod and drilling a hole for the tailpiece; I've seen some tension brackets made like that.
Love it. I have used Mountain Ash in two banjos. Love the timber.
Getting a sense of deja vue, I also put a southern cross on my peg head :)
No commercial issue, I have no intention to start a bussiness selling banjos.
banjo roo
Thanks Roo
The Southern Cross is an easy thing to do with just dots; I have no interest in spending time on elaborate inlays.
I don't have any interest in a business either, just want to keep making banjos, and what else can I do with them?
Where in Oz are you? (send a PM if you want). Perhaps we'll meet up somewhere.
I like the simplicity of the tailpiece bracket. There is very little tension on it as most of the string tension pulls against the tension hoop.
Cool. I was starting to think I was alone using tassie oak. I just finished my 5th banjo 3 days ago. My second from tas oak. You can’t beat the price and availability. I was inspired by finding some nice quarter sawn fiddle back stuff at Bunnings for buggerall. I had the pot blank ready to turn before I decided to do a google search on Tassie oak and lutherie. That’s when the doubt set in. Dozens of “experts” saying don’t use it. What I’ve ended up with are 2 lovely sounding though not terribly loud banjos which are perfect for me. I might take some photos later and whack it up here. Well done
Thanks Dean
This is also my second Tas Oak rim, the first I made with some cheap Bunnings stuff I had leftover from another project. I knew my first few banjos would be learners; first one I finished I made from Coachwood, and I have another in progress made from Queensland Maple that a friend gave me, not sure it's going to be any good. Number 5 is ready for the lathe, it's Walnut and Birds Eye Maple. I have a precious slab of flamed Rock Maple that a friend gave me for if I live long enough??
I'd love to see your pictures.
Yeah John I’ll get those photos taken this morning and post’em. These last two banjos are my first timber pots. I’d Been experimenting with aluminium up till then with mixed results. It’s always a thrill when your expectations are exceeded. My last one was also my first claw hammer specific banjo. I’ve only just started going down that road
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