Forums

Hi, well I just finished the fretless minstrel banjo today and its had more playing time so far than in the last 30 years.

As I said before its modeled loosely off of Minstrel banjos of the 1800's.

I love the feel and sound of the nylon strings [not the correct gauges] that are tuned low. it is surprisingly loud. The wide "clubby" neck is also easy to work with, although hitting the correct fret positions will take some practice.

As mentioned in my earlier post the pot, drum or shell is from a Bacon Banjo-Mandolin. I made the neck of Tasmanian oak and Silky oak. The nut, bridge, tailpiece and 5th string nut are ebony and the peghead overlay is Burdiken Plum, a local timber. The fingerboard is local timber also, Emu Apple.

So that I could set this banjo up I just used left over classical guitar strings, 3x seconds and 2 x thirds. Correct strings are on order and are special to this type of banjo.