Blogs

These two instruments represent the application of principles I've learned building a few CBGs to the creation of some CBG-like instruments. But they aren't guitars, and they aren't made from cigar boxes. 

The first is a hand-drum banjo made with plans I found at Banjo Hangout: 

The second is a license plate banjo with bent red oak sides, a white oak top, maple neck, cherry fretboard, and walnut tailpiece: 

The top is attached traditionally, with kerfed lining, which you can see here. Easy to make with a box joint jig on the table saw!

Billy Wise test piloting the electric banjola, Joan Kirkham on the guitar, and Myself on the Washtub.

We recently posted this Instructable describing how to install a Cortado balanced-out pickup in a banjolele. This pickup runs into a little circuit that balances the signal and matches the impedance to a mixing console -- similar to a preamp or active DI. The instrument plugs straight into a mic line. (The console has to provide phantom power to the circuit.) This provides much wider bandwidth and higher signal-to-noise than you usually get from a piezo pickup.

In short, we simply removed the sound board, stuck the piezo to the head below the bridge, stuck the shielded circuit to the inside of the instrument with Velcro, stuck the mic jack to the outside, and replaced the sound board.

Ok, we can become obligated to much to quickly.

That friend I way underpriced that build for is waiting his guitar. He told me today he knew he was getting a real bargan. He ain't no fool. So tonight I started cutting sound holes and the drill bit snagged, tore out a hole. Have to find all the little pieces and glue then back in, and tomorrow when all is dry cut it out by hand. However, I soldered in the Double Piezo pickups, one under the bass strings and one under the high string, with volume control for each pickup. Never did a double before and never a wired in volumn control. Halleleau it worked after a lot of frustration with the soldering iron.

I an putting in a lot more time in the build than I should be for the return - but sating myself with pride, learning experience, advertisement, all that stuff we bolster our selves with when we bit off more than we aim to chew.

I go up stair to eat between frustrations and the dear wife who has fixed a marvelous dinner looks at me and says, "Christmas is comming up". She pauses, "You could build a guitar for your daughter". We have a daughter Glenwood Springs Colorado who runs Sunshine Mtn. Inn with her husband. I can hook you up, it is on a ski resort. Also they have a lot of hunters and in the summer weddings and rafters, bikers, and groups. Anyway, the daughter sings and plays anything she sets her mind to.

"And Clayton", daughter's husband, "a banjo". He wants to learn, Daughter bought him a banjo he has not worked with, he is a busy busy man - never slows down. But if he had a CBG type banjo, maybe?

Then there is our son, he is learning to play guitar. He sings, is in a band and all that, has set in with some of the big boys and gals. He throws names around all the time. Could make him a guitar for Christmas also.

See how it snow balls? We have not mentioned my brother-in-law, etc, etc, etc, Wonder if she'll get around to them?

You do not want to get to a point the better half can brag on you! That is the danger zone! Ever let them think they have bragging rights and it is over, your goose is cooked, you are officially a commodity they can use for leverage within the family, among friends, and co-workers- even chirch groups.

You replace that streight "A" child, the Athelete Child, the Child with the College Degree, that child with the job that lets them drive around in a Mercades. They need a new angle, a new handle, a new advantage, a new one upper, and you have laid that weapon squarely in their lap.

Now it ain;t all bad. This allows you to spend whatever you need within reason on your "hobby", so long as you produce results once in a while. It means you get your man cave [interpeted shop]. You get to make all kind of noise - yes noise, real noise, mechanical and musical! You can track sawdust all over the house - again within reason. You can buy new tools !!!!!!!

I just cannot list all the perks, and should not, the ladies of the house may read this and get wise to us.

All I can say is make those gifts in between making your toys and one or two to sale to make it seem like you are actually making money with your hobby.  

Do not be afraid to seen marvelously talented to the Better Half. Brag, Wax eloquent, earn those perks - just be aware of the danger zone involved.

Ok this is not CBG related but an old college buddy and I took in the Sold Out show. Steve Martin is one of the most prolific and talented entertainers around and they put on a damned great show.  Steve has been playing banjo since he was sixteen and demonstrates a mastery of both Scrugg's style and clawhammer style.  He included his comic banter for a most entertaining show. 

The show was two hours of bluegrass and other related stylings written by Steve and his colloberating writing partners, that were recently released on Rare Bird Alert, a colloberative effort with the Steep Canyon Rangers of Brevard, North Carolina.  These guys were awsome! 

The quintet features:

• Woody Platt - guitar, lead vocals
• Graham Sharp - banjo, harmony vocals
• Mike Guggino - mandolin, harmony vocals
• Charles R. Humphrey III - bass, harmony vocals
• Nicky Sanders - fiddle, harmony vocals

The show highlights (for me at least) were Jubilation Day a song about the joys of breaking up with those special someone who make your life miserable, Me a Paul Revere a song about Paul Revere's ride from the horse's perspective, Yellowback Fly about a fisherman's obsession. The encore also included a smoking hot rendition of  Orange Blossom Special and  King Tut. I found myself wishing the Orange Blossom Special would never end.