Re: SHOW ME YOUR HOMEMADE INSTRUMENTS

Homemade fretless mountain banjo. Curly maple with rosewood tailpiece, nut, 5th string nut and violin style friction tuners. Bridge is curly maple with a coconut shell top (the curve of the shell creates a 'moon' style bridge with compensation built-in). Nylgut strings and a calfskin head stretched over a cast aluminium tone ring (a cut-down plant pot!). Tung oil finish. I have another one planned with lots of improvements.

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Music

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• mountain
• oldtime
• fretless
• banjo
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[gutenschneider]

Will friction tuners hold up to the steel strings, or do they loose tune easily? I'm making my own guitar and I was wondering if friction tuners (much cheaper) could do the same or similar job to geared tuners. Much appreciated!

[sparkyfiddle]

@gutenschneider Hi, not sure how friction pegs work with steel strings as I've only used them with synthetic gut on my banjos. I've come across some old banjos set up with light gauge steel strings and those early 'champion' style friction pegs which seem to cope OK if they're properly adjusted. Sorry I can't be of more help. Good luck with the project.

[nightfrailer]

I am working a fretless banjo, and want to do a fretboard with precut frets, but fill them with something to make visible position markers. How did you do yours?

[sparkyfiddle]

@nightfrailer Sorry for they delayed reply. To do the fret marker inlays in this banjo I used a small square file tilted through 45 degrees so that it makes a 'V' shaped groove into the top edge of the fingerboard. The trick is to angle it down by about 30 degrees so that you get a 'diamond' shape occurring both on the face of the fingerboard and its top edge. Then you just glue in little bits of squared-off wood in a contrasting colour. Let the glue dry thoroughly and file them off flush.

[Rubberjohnnyface]

excellent man! I just started playing and wondered what that roll pattern you use is? sounds like melodic and its beautiful, like old time clawhammer but subtle and clear.

[sparkyfiddle]

@Rubberjohnnyface Cheers for the comment. My right hand is a bit unconventional. I've been told it's a bit like an up-picking style that used to be common in North Carolina, however, I tend to add downward brushes to keep it rhythmic. I think you get more control over the tone and 'twang factor' with an up stroke, which helps bring out the melody. Good luck with your playing - banjos are one of the most addictive things known to man!

[cabinneighbors]

ill buy one off of you:)

[RICHKO1994]

NICELY DONE

REALLY GREAT

AWESOME

that are my words in think that many people just think the same

[ufoengines]

Good Idea, Very Cool!

[schpoingle]

hey! come check my home made vampire killer and instrument with original music that doesn't sound home made. really.

peace!!

[purity4all]

Looks pretty and sound pretty to! great job!

[fru2zzy]

o_O i want to make this one !!!!!

[ray8up]

Awesome!

[revbricenichols]

Thta's great!