by "zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
Published 09/29/2017 at 08:00
by "zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
Published 09/29/2017 at 08:00
Tags: musiclopnik
; Banjo
STARS: 8
My father-in-law and I made a custom Banjo for me. Nothing fancy, but he bought the parts (the neck, the pot, the resonator, etc), and we essentially assembled it together. It was quite a unique experience, full of frustrations and joy.
The body/pot is a mastertone pot, a specific style from what I understand. Also, getting a wide enough neck was difficult, so we modified a smaller neck to make it work.
The neck itself is from another country, Vietnam maybe? He bought it off eBay. Regardless, the craftsmanship is amazing. I love the inlays on the neck and head.
A lot of the wood doesn’t match, but I sort of like that. It gives it a ‘homemade’ feel.
Dad already had this resonator (the back) laying around his house, which sparked the whole “let’s build a banjo over a period of months” discussion. It’s a tiger fighting a hawk/bird. Pretty metal if you ask me. It was made in another country as well.
The armrest is pretty cool too, showcasing a cool flower and vine design.
All in all, the experience was fascinating. And it was a good bonding experience with my dad- in- law. It’s even inspired me to try to make another instrument, like a plectrum/tenor Banjo or a bass guitar. :).
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
09/29/2017 at 08:22, STARS: 1
That’s really beautiful. I have enormous respect and admiration for people who can do stuff like that. I can barely drive a nail straight. Now go play it!
"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
09/29/2017 at 09:02, STARS: 1
Wait, nails are supposed to go in straight? Since when?!
And thanks! I’ve been trying to squeeze in some practice here and there, :).
"thejustache" (thejustache)
09/29/2017 at 09:16, STARS: 1
Awesome! I’ve played bluegrass for a number of years, but on mandolin/guitar. Just started trying to learn banjo over the summer, and it is something else entirely.... not a lot translates over from other instruments in my opinion. Lots of fun to play though, and I have a lot of respect for anyone that can pull it off! That’s a great looking and probably great sounding instrument you’ve got there
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
09/29/2017 at 09:17, STARS: 3
Only straight nails are supposed to go in straight. The bent nails are supposed to go in crooked. I’m not sure how they do it, but all of the bent nails I buy are straight when they come out of the package. All it takes is one hit for them to transform into their naturally bent form. Then they go in crooked as intended.
"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
09/29/2017 at 09:49, STARS: 1
It does sound great, it has a brass tone ring in it, :).
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
09/29/2017 at 13:00, STARS: 1
Very cool, beautiful work! My father in law plays old time, bluegrass & Irish, I really want to get into banjo. Seems it would suit my drumming background & mechanic hands the best, of the available string instruments.
"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
09/30/2017 at 07:40, STARS: 0
A 5 string Banjo requires plucking each string individually, so yeah, it would. A 4 string tenor Banjo, or a 4 string plectrum Banjo, you strum with a pick. So definitely get a 5 string if you enjoy playing with your fingers.
And thank you! :).