Mini banjo #035....
I was contacted by David Ciaffardini from Mississippi asking me to build him a mini banjo in memory of the love of his life, Sarah. She had passed away earlier. David told me that she loved flowers and peacocks and asked if I could incorporate that in the design of the banjo. He sent me some photos of flowers and I used those photos to make the design of the vine on the fretboard. I found clip art images of more flowers and peacocks and modified them for the inlay designs.
So... I present to you the mini banjo now known as "The Sarah".
Marvin, your work never ceases to amaze me. That is beautiful.
What a wonderful tribute, so beautifully brought to fruition! Thank you for sharing this, Marvin.
Now that banjo is beautiful! I'd like to have one just to mess around with.
Can you imagine the double takes that would happen at a jam and/or festival when you showed up with that beauty?
You're an artist, Marvin.
Love seeing your works of art.
Thanks for posting.
Spectacular work Marvin!
Behind impressed by the overall work and the individual details in the inlays and wood. How long did this take you to complete?
quote:
Originally posted by jsinjinBehind impressed by the overall work and the individual details in the inlays and wood. How long did this take you to complete?
5 months of when I feel like it, when I want to, when I have it, uninterrupted spare time. :)
Wow, that is stunning! Thanks for sharing and providing inspiration for others.
Great work as always!
Every time I see one of your builds are spectacular!
Boy, it sure would have been neat to have seen the name "Sarah" on it somewhere, or did I miss it?? 
Now that's extremely impressive nice work!!!!!
Marvin...curious about the marquetry on the resonator. Do you create the entire bouquet separate then trace the outline to route/set the entire piece in...or do you do each flower and leaf individually?
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Originally posted by BuddurMarvin...curious about the marquetry on the resonator. Do you create the entire bouquet separate then trace the outline to route/set the entire piece in...or do you do each flower and leaf individually?
I saw all the individual pieces, sand the edges for a good fit, and then tape them together on the back at the joints with clear scotch tape. It is then placed on the resonator surface, traced around with a mechanical led pencil, and then routed until it fits. The tape is removed. All were glued using epoxie with brown coloring. The flower (and leafs) were done first and the radiating limbs were done after the flower was fitted. It's hard to explain how it's clamped without photos. I'll try to find some today and post.
Here are some photos of how the resonator inlay was installed. Each piece is sawn using a scroll saw. The pieces are taped together on the back in sections using clear scotch tape. the sections are placed on the resonator surface and traced around with a pencil. Each section is then routed and fitted before the process is repeated again for the next section. A final assembly of the inlay is checked for fit before gluing. A gluing jig is made from various diameter and depth of plastic bottles. each one is fitted inside the other with foam rubber installed between the bottoms. Each edge of the bottles is covered with painters' tape. It is then flipped, placed on the inlay and a led weight applied to the top. Once the glue cures, the jig is removed and the inlay sanded flush.
Wow!
Your work is just great!
Forgot to add that the flower centers are installed after the rest of the inlay has been sanded level.
