Posted by Bill Raddatz on December 27, 2014 at 9:47pm
Finished building the Carolina Crystal Canjo today featuring an old etched film can "resonator", a blue quartz crystal bridge, an agate nut and an American Chestnut neck made from the timbers of a 200 year old barn. It sounds a bit like a banjo and rings like a bell so I decided not to add an electric pickup on this one.
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Thanks, Bluesheart. Yup, it sounds pretty amazing sittin' on the old film can. I should mention that I bolted two smaller additional film can lids onto the inside back of this canjo which might also help with the resonance of the thing.
I have a friend, Derek Graziano, who is an accomplished luthier who makes and plays hammered dulcimers. He recently started using gem stones as bridge caps in his dulcimers. I showed him one of my more recent canjo builds and he suggested that I could use crystals for bridges and nuts for my builds. So, I thought I'd incorporate them in this new build. Derek is also a lapidarist and cut the quartz crystal and agate nut for me. The quartz rests directly on the metal can, and the agate nut is recessed int the neck so they do really seem to increase the tonal quality of the canjo. Pretty, too. Plus, they increase the value of the piece.
I had no idea crystals, agates or other rocks could make good bridge, nut material. This opens up a whole new world. I know Randy Bretz is starting to use some stone too. Nice work Bill.
Comments
Hey thanks, Jim.
That's real nice!
Thanks, Bluesheart. Yup, it sounds pretty amazing sittin' on the old film can. I should mention that I bolted two smaller additional film can lids onto the inside back of this canjo which might also help with the resonance of the thing.
Very nice! I've used rocks before as bridges or nuts but never polished gem stones, perfect on this one!!
Thanks Dave and Uncle John. Your comments mean a lot to me.
Like, like, like.
Great ideas Bill.
I have a friend, Derek Graziano, who is an accomplished luthier who makes and plays hammered dulcimers. He recently started using gem stones as bridge caps in his dulcimers. I showed him one of my more recent canjo builds and he suggested that I could use crystals for bridges and nuts for my builds. So, I thought I'd incorporate them in this new build. Derek is also a lapidarist and cut the quartz crystal and agate nut for me. The quartz rests directly on the metal can, and the agate nut is recessed int the neck so they do really seem to increase the tonal quality of the canjo. Pretty, too. Plus, they increase the value of the piece.
I had no idea crystals, agates or other rocks could make good bridge, nut material. This opens up a whole new world. I know Randy Bretz is starting to use some stone too. Nice work Bill.
Thanks for the nice comment, Dave.
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