Hey folks,
Looking to start a build for a gourd banjo, gotta start with a good gourd. Has anyone in the UK had particular luck getting a nice gourd from anywhere they'd recommend? I see Newmoor Barn have some nice-looking gourds, but I was hoping for something a bit bigger, around 11" or so. Shipping from the US is incredibly expensive, I wouldn't mind getting one shipping as long as it doesn't double the price.
Cheers!
That’s not going to happen. You might consider getting a long piece of ash (1/8 inch thick x about 3 inches wide) to make a grain measure banjo which sounds about the same as a gourd banjo. You have local woodworkers and lumber suppliers that can get you good wood for bending into a hoop. There are many videos of these banjos. Then you need a chunk of rawhide to make the head….just as much fun as making a gourd banjo without the horrendous shipping cost.
Edited by - lapsteel on 09/13/2026 11:55:23
IF you know someone who owns a greenhouse, you could grow your own.
You can buy Calabash "gourds" out of Africa on Etsy. I believe they ship worldwide. Search on Etsy for full Calabash Gourd bowls.
Edited by - cevant on 09/13/2026 19:14:20
@cevant I've seen those calabash listings on Etsy, wasn't sure if the wall would be thick enough to hold the skin but it might be my best option. Cheers!
Growing them is real long and I'm too impatient for that...
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