Just finished number 5 a few days ago. My first frailing banjo. 11” Tassie oak block rim with a jarrah tone ring. Tassie oak neck with jarrah trim. Rudy rod neck attachment. Mostly aluminium hardware. It’s very light. Sounds good but not overly loud. I think it could use a proper tailpiece to get a better brake over the bridge, otherwise I’m very happy with it
That is a good job. Fine looking banjo.
As far as the tailpiece is concerned, the No-Knot is one of the favorite choices for Old Time banjo players. If you want a tailpiece that will give a break angle to the bridge, a Kerschner or a Presto would be good choices.
Thanks Mark. I’ve got a prucha clam shell there which I’ll try next time I change strings which for me could be years away. I tend to leave em on for a long time. On my last banjo which had a near identical pot I used a presto and I love it but I thought as you said no knots are the go for old time. Just not for me I think
Lovely Dean. Love your back of the peghead veneers, would love to see how you do that. Perhaps we'll meet up somewhere, do you go to any of the festivals? I'm at Mountaingrass next weekend.
All my banjos bar one have the Pisgah Hawktail tailpieces, gives a good break, and somewhat adjustable.
Thanks John, I’ll have a look at those tailpieces. I’m up Newcastle NSW way in Maitland. I don’t really go anywhere much. Before I retired I was never home. I traveled oz & south east Asia machining steam turbines for a living. I panic if I have to play in front of anyone so I don’t. Wish I could. I had planned to do a lap of the country when I retired in the hiace campervan I did up but then fuel went through the roof so I sold it and replaced it with an old smart car. Not your classic road tripper. The 3 layered back strap is pretty easy to do. Just common sense really. If you use a cutter of similar radius to the neck cross section the back strap will terminate in a nice semicircle which I like. If ever your up this way you’re more than welcome to drop in. Just give me a call on 0405485746
Very nice!
That is one fine looking banjo! I like the luster of the aluminum components. Not super shiny like nickel plate, but a "frosted" look. The scalloping on the tension hoop is a nice touch.
Thanks Marvin and Noah. I’ve been a fan of your work Marvin, for years. I just use autosol polish. Surprisingly the little travel banjo I made about 5 years ago is still just as shiny now as when I built it. I just give it a wipe when I wipe the strings before putting it away. The scallops were just due to not being able to get 4x12mm flatbar for the tension hoop so I had to make it look less chunky.
I meant to post this picture
Some sweet banjos for sure.
Very nice work on the backstrapping.
Thanks all
Wow! That looks like a good player. With all the aluminum hardware it 'needs' an aluminum tailpiece...
Gee I like the look of that. I might knock one up. Thanks
