It's a standard(ish) 26 1/4 scale...I had a template from Roger Smirnoff's how to build a 5-string banjo that I used. Since I mainly play at the bottom of the neck, (nearest the peghead), my next one will probably be a shorter scale or a regular scale without the upper 2 frets to save on size.

I didn't use a truss rod, but I made the neck with using a 3/4 inch piece of maple in the center sandwitched between 2 3/4 pieces of mahogany with an 1/4 rosewood fretboard on top...this make the neck plenty stiff without dealing with the hassle of a truss rod. I haven't experienced any warping.

Thanks for the kind words, Nathan. Looks like you make some sweet instruments too. I'm super focused on banjos right now. Let me know if you have any questions.

Jeff

I'll see if I can get something up this weekend. The sound isn't particularly banjo like... more like a nice mellow sorta dulcimery sound. The best part about it is that it's really helped become a better player because I can play it at night after everyone else is asleep. Not so easy with a normal banjo.

Hey Nathan, Welcome to the New Mexico Four Corners group. I live off HWY 50 between Gunnison and Montrose. If you are ever going to be in the area, let me know. Maybe we can meet up. Checked out your photos of your builds. Very nice work!

cheers for the comments on the vid nathan. good boxes are hard to find so this one is, literally, home made

hey nathan,that professionals sticker was on the box when i bought it.and yes i thought it was funny too,so when i decided to cut the box down i cut part of the front off so that sticker would still be on the box. it was originally 17 inches long. i think cause of the size it should make a good box for volume.

Thanks Nathan,
I think that Christmas album is really something special!

ha, cheers brother
appreciate it

Beautiful work. Two questions though. What do you use to cut the slot for your nut (bolt) and do you use a real fretsaw for fretting or have you figured out a cheaper tool. Cheers, P.

Thanks. Did you know that parakeets taste like chicken?
Sweet Baby Ray

yes thanks lots of b-days today

Hey man, thanks for the request. As soon as I saw the clamp comment I had a flashback to 2004-05 when 90% of everything I said was directly from that movie. Hilarious.

Hi, and thanks that's really usefull (and makes sense!!)....yeah I thought hitting the right note was more important...if I started thinking about something else that went!!....still I'd only got it the day before and haven't been playing guitar of any kind for over 20yrs!!....so as you say it should get easier : -)

thanks fer the comment nathan on the canjo vid. take care bro.

Thanks for your comments Nathan, I really dig what you're doing too mate, really classy.
I can post a CD to you for $15 plus postage if you like, just email me at:
thorleyguitars@yahoo.com.au

thanks fer the cool comment Nathan about the double barellcanjo. i just want you ta know that you have inspired me ta do better quality work on my cbg stuff cause you have proved to me how much cooler they look and sound if ya spend a little more time doing better quality work on them. and the best part is the results are overall more satisfying with the finished product. thank you.

Nathan
I’m glad to hear the USTC program has been of value! Thanks for the additional info and discussion.

How does the tone of the EBE strummer compare with the GDG one? Does the 25.5” scale make it more difficult to play with reaches for chording? I encourage to post a video of it too.

I’v e only built one strummer, most of my string experimentation has been with four strings GDAD, DGBE, and some variations on the same intervals. My goal is to get something that is less tinny and more into an acoustic guitars sonic range, and a fuller sound.

I tried dropping the DGBE tuning an octave with thicker strings; it sounded like mud! The tension was such that I was able to tune it up to EAC#F# and it had a richer tone but it still was bottom heavy. I tried altering the GDAD to EBF#B and it has a less tinny sound but the tuning would make it difficult to play with other acoustic instruments which is the whole point for me since I lead and play on a worship team.
Which brings me back to your EBE strummer. I’ve been thinking about a 24” or so scale length 6 string (3 pairs) EEBBEE with the following string weights 52, 26, 34, 16, 12, 12. It would put it in the sonic range of a guitar at the top and bottom end plus a guitar could play off the same chord sheet at capo 2 (I do that all the time anyway). I was thinking of a diatonic scale instead of the dulcimer one to open up playing in more keys. What do you think?

Unfortunately I haven’t had any building time recently, might start something tomorrow if it doesn’t snow. My wife got me a band saw for our anniversary in September and it’s still in the box!!! I have been playing my homemade 27.75” short scale electric bass (most recent build) a lot and am eager to build an improved version based on what I learned building it. It’s my best effort to date. I might even put an electric pickup in the planned EEBBEE instrument based on my success on the bass.

Doug

Nathan, thanks so much for the details. My experience is that scale length, tuning, and string weights have a big influence on intonation. I found on my first CBG that if the string tension is not sufficient, intonation suffers. You gave me enough info to "run the tension numbers" which are: 20.18, 20.25, and 20.30 (thickest to thinnest string) . Very balanced!!! I'm curious as to how satisfied you are with the intonation on your instrument.

I have been shooting for around 24. For example, stretching the scale length on yours to 21.75" would change the numbers to: 23.87, 23.95, and 24. On my DAdd one I used a scale length of 22.5", with .32, .22, .15 strings and the tensions are: 23.75, 25.01, and 22.5. I am very pleased with the intonation. Without a doubt the shorter 20" scale length improves playability as you so ably demonstrated!

Again, thanks for taking the time to shoot a video; seeing and hearing instruments is of great value.

Doug

Thanks for the welcome, Nathan . . . It will take me a while to digest all the info available on the site - WOW!