I want to have a go at building a banjo...

 

Does it have to have the resonating plastic skin to give it that banjo sound or can it be substituted for another material or bypassed altogether and get the sound from tuning etc?

 

 

Views: 600

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I just won the auction on two more tambourines!  Yippeee!
I'm playing around with a few ideas myself. I would say use a box with a thin lid or material that is thin. I have several xray sheets my vet gave me. I think it's Mylar and I think that would work also . I just haven't decided how I'm going to stretch the head.

Here at CBN, we don't have to be secretive about building banjos & banjo related instruments. The discussion group is called "Banjo Players Unite!". So, you should post banjo related discussion there, not hide them here under "Building secrets, etc.".

 

-Rand.

 

 

 

I like this idea. Think I will use it to build a 4-string banjo (3 long, one short string). Was thinking one 3-string stick dulcimer (strum stick, strummer, call it what you like), plus a short string and then tuning it to A'-D-A-D' or something like that. Here's the link to my discussion about these ideas. Your comments are welcome... By the way, John, I took the liberty of linking your photo into that thread so as to illustrate my idea on how to convert a stick dulcimer to a old-time 4-string banjo. Of course, the issue of [drum head] vs. [cookie tin] vs. [cigar box] vs. [cigar box w/reso can/cone/whatever] vs. [any other sound box idea you may come up with] is not an issue in the "no rules" environment of Cigar Box Nation.


-Rand.


Uncle John said:


That looks like the 5th string tuner on the tail end of the neck. -Rand.

I tried a tambourine, a cheap one, and even with nylon strings it just didn't have enough tension.  The bridge started to collapse the "head".

Did sound nice, though....

Better would be a quality "adjustable" tambourine, or even a "hand drum" with the adjustable tension devices.

Maybe nylon strings would work better with the tambourine as they require less string tension. Maybe I'll try a tambourine or drum if I can find a suitable one.


-Rand.

 

Mark Werner said:

I tried a tambourine, a cheap one, and even with nylon strings it just didn't have enough tension.  The bridge started to collapse the "head".

Did sound nice, though....

Better would be a quality "adjustable" tambourine, or even a "hand drum" with the adjustable tension devices.

THAT is absolutely brilliant!

 

And looks really cool too.

Rand Moore said:

 


That looks like the 5th string tuner on the tail end of the neck. -Rand.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter on Wednesday. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

Latest Activity

Matthias Bichsel left a comment for Moritz Voegeli
"www.cbguitars.ch auf FB This Bichsel"
17 hours ago
Matthias Bichsel left a comment for Moritz Voegeli
"Hallo, ich bin aus Solothurn. Lisa Stearns hat mich gefragt ob ich Dich kenne. Ich baue cbg. Gruss…"
17 hours ago
Matthias Bichsel liked Moritz Voegeli's profile
17 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for John Herrick
18 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Daniel Cook
18 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Skip Novakovich
18 hours ago
T-Gripped liked David Woodman 's photo
18 hours ago
Profile IconJohn Herrick, Daniel Cook and Skip Novakovich joined Cigar Box Nation
19 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

The Blues riff a Tutorial BCB 2024

"Yup Doug ! standart tuning for the four that el be missing the E's ADGB ,on the 3 Tree String…"
21 hours ago
Max commented on Max's video
Thumbnail

My second guitar

"Thanks everyone, yes well and truly hooked haha. If I ever put this one down it's to make…"
yesterday
Southern Ray replied to Moritz Voegeli's discussion Joseph J. Rogowski about Current Based Pickup Design
" A few years later... Thank you."
yesterday
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Jesus Thank You: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar

"Monday was Faith Night; today was Faith Afternoon at the church (a 90 minute jam with some…"
yesterday

Events

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->