Banjo Kit

[John Parchem]

For something completely different, I decided I wanted a banjo. I did not want to spend the time making the steam bending banjo resonator jigs. When looking for a drum I found a kit from Don Kawalek . Talking with him I learned he packages these up for an in person class that he offers.



Looking at the parts one can see that once the neck is carved it is really a finishing and assembly project.

I carved the neck much like I car my guitar necks. The major difference is that there are separate center lines for the neck above the 5th string tuner and below.

Here are a few pictures of thicknessing and carving the neck.





Quick rough shape with a spoke shave



Shape the heel









I decided on a quick paddle shape instead of the traditional fancy shapes









With the head stock and heel profiled I was able to shape the rest of the neck with knifes, rasps and chisels



Now some finish sanding and finishing

[Kevin in California]

What a great project. I have a banjo in the closet given to me from my Dad. I'd play it but my wife can't stand the sound. Hmmmmm.
Will look forward to the rest of the build.

[John Parchem]

From this point it is just a matter of finishing and assembling. They are cool instruments. It is easy to set the neck angle (action setting) using the two brass coordinator rods you can see in the back picture. It is simple enough that one could make the adjustment at a gig with an allen wrench and a crescent wrench. This was a fun project but now I need to get back to a steel string I need to build.

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[Herman]

Jee John, that is fast.
Could be a fun project for me, but unfortunately I cannot play in CGDA.
For me it is better to take time at shaping my guitar skills.
This one looks good though.
Herman

[Kenny Wiebusch]

Good looking banjo. I bought an old open back Rickenbacker thinking I would learn some claw hammer style. It hasn't happened. Sweet instruments .

[peter havriluk]

Banjo joke time:

(1) letter to the editor in the Shoe cartoon strip 'how many strings does a banjo have?' Editor's answer: 'Five too many'.
(2) Stage joke from a longtime banjo picker I knew, 'How long does it take to tune a banjo? No one knows'

[Scott Millbern]

Banjo joke time:

(1) letter to the editor in the Shoe cartoon strip 'how many strings does a banjo have?' Editor's answer: 'Five too many'.
(2) Stage joke from a longtime banjo picker I knew, 'How long does it take to tune a banjo? No one knows'

(1) banjo players spend half the time tuning and half the time playing out of tune
(2) what is the difference between chopping up a onion chopping up a banjo? - one of them makes you cry

I do play the banjo a little. I have the idea to try to make a banjo ukulele at some point to play claw hammer ukulele on….