Comment

Comment by Rough Cut Guitars on April 14, 2016 at 2:08pm

Holy Cow! Thanks for taking so much time - that'll get me through just fine. Going to make mine a 4-string tenor to ease in & thinking about going all in and building a block rim - I've got what tools I need and some nice walnut and maple. I can message you how it turns out if you're interested. Again, thanks - you got me taking a little detour and broadening the repetoire as it were, but that's what I love about the cbg world: you never know what might come next.

Comment by Dave Lynas on April 13, 2016 at 10:23am

Ok, so here's more. Do the stretch without the neck attached. Leave room for the skin and tack at the neck hole and tailpiece. I trim with a sharp sizzers. I sand the sharp edge of the dry head fringe. Check for loose tack in the morning after the stretch. Super glue any loosies. Natural skin heads need to be refreshed if they are in a damp environment. Hold the banjo in front of a fire or hair dryer for a short time to tighten the head. :^)

Comment by Dave Lynas on April 13, 2016 at 10:07am

Hi Tom. Yes soak the skin in warm water for 15 minutes or longer for thick skins. It turns from stiff to noodle soft. Blot off the excess water with a towel. I pre drill my tack holes befor the wetting. About 3/4 of the length of the tack. I like thumb tacks. Carpet and upholstery tacks not recommended. I split a bowl with carpet tacks. Upholstery tacks are long nails and poke through inside. Gently tap the tack in with yor fret hammer or tack hammer. Stretch across from each other. Don't pull tight, just a little tight. It will shrink tight in a few hours. Use a thick wood bowl. Alternate stretching from side to side then top to bottom. I start at the bridge over the neck hole then the tail tack. Then the side. Tack in your lap not against your table. The soft skin cuts easy with hard blows of the hammer. I trim the hide right after the tacking. If a tack pops out, use a drip so super glue in the tack hole and press the tack back in. Let dry overnight before stringing. What looks a little floppy will stretch tight as a drum. Sand the rim of the bowl rounding it if your bowl has a sharp edge. You have plenty of time to do the job. Don't rush. Even when you cut the skin with your hammer blows, don't worry. It will be fine. I don't worry about binding the tacked area with tape. I just let it wave like a skirt fringe. That's enough guff. Go for it Rough Cut!

Comment by Rough Cut Guitars on April 13, 2016 at 2:20am

Hey Dave, you inspired me to take a shot at building a tackhead banjo. Can you give me some pointers on wetting and mounting the skin? Do I soak the whole skin or just dampen the surface? I assume I tack it while damp but do I go around the rim or do opposite points? Ant tips greatly appreciated.

Comment by Dave Lynas on April 2, 2016 at 10:29pm

Thanks Wes.

Comment by Dave Lynas on March 31, 2016 at 4:01pm

Thanks Reeds, Nancy. Nice litter box Kat! Bowl banjo with cat gut strings...;^)

Comment by Nancy kat on March 31, 2016 at 6:56am

Dave that turned out really nice like the moon to cool!!!! Sounds amazing!! Meowwwww^..^

Comment by Reeds Taylor on March 31, 2016 at 12:25am

There ya go, nice job

Comment by Dave Lynas on March 30, 2016 at 4:41pm

Thanks Derek. I think the Spring Banjos are back!

Comment by Derek Rose on March 30, 2016 at 2:50pm

Love that sound. Nice looking build too.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page