Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doc Oakroot on May 1, 2009 at 6:00am

You can just tie it on as tight as you can without the bridge and then slide the bridge under it. Works best on something like a 2x4 diddley bow where you don't care exactly where the bridge ends up, or...

You can use the knot that's used on the Akonting and other Senegambia lutes. For my article on how to do this click here. Works best on nylon strings, or...

You can make a tuner with an eye bolt, a couple of nuts, and a wing nut to lock it in place. I did this on the Chirp&Thump bass and had a pic up on the yahoo group, but I think deleted it., or...

My grandmother and her mother made their own 6 string dulcimer which I inherited. They used a wood screw with a hole drilled in it for each string. Works best with wire strings that don't require too many turns.

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Permalink Reply by biddlewicket on May 1, 2009 at 7:24am

Yeah I plan on using an old broom handle or the like for my neck, so perhaps your knot might be the best way... Though... I did plan on using a steel string.

Wood screw eh? like a wooden screw? or like a metal screw for wood?


Doc Oakroot said:

You can just tie it on as tight as you can without the bridge and then slide the bridge under it. Works best on something like a 2x4 diddley bow where you don't care exactly where the bridge ends up, or...

You can use the knot that's used on the Akonting and other Senegambia lutes. For my article on how to do this click here. Works best on nylon strings, or...

You can make a tuner with an eye bolt, a couple of nuts, and a wing nut to lock it in place. I did this on the Chirp&Thump bass and had a pic up on the yahoo group, but I think deleted it., or...

My grandmother and her mother made their own 6 string dulcimer which I inherited. They used a wood screw with a hole drilled in it for each string. Works best with wire strings that don't require too many turns.

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Permalink Reply by Doc Oakroot on May 1, 2009 at 8:46am

The Akonting knot won't work well with steel strings - I've tried... you just can't pull it tight enough. It depends on some stretchiness in the string to work. OTOH, for my current giveaway guitars, I use a simplified version of the knot with 18 gauge steel wire - the knot becomes the nut... but I use a zither pin set in the box end as both the bridge and a tuner.

Not a wooden screw, but a metal screw intended for attaching something to wood.


biddlewicket said:

Yeah I plan on using an old broom handle or the like for my neck, so perhaps your knot might be the best way... Though... I did plan on using a steel string.

Wood screw eh? like a wooden screw? or like a metal screw for wood?

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on May 1, 2009 at 1:48pm

Its not all that hard to whittle a peg or 2.I've made old style wooden pegs out of mahogany,and oak.
The main thing is to make sure your pegs fits tight enough when pushed in to hold tension.
You might consider whittling a couple and test fitting on a piece of scrap.
Lots of people are scared of failing to get it right.
What I did was pull up a picture of a violin peg and then try to copy it.I've built a few banjos with my homemade pegs and never had a problem.
Its tough to sell an instrument with the old style pegs because the public cant understand how they work either lol

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Permalink Reply by biddlewicket on May 1, 2009 at 5:42pm

Being new to this game, I don't even know how to work 'em. All I have is my box and a broom handle so far. Heck I dunno if I should use chicken wire or buy real strings (or, heck, what kind of strings!). I'd hate to lower my own standards (ha!) and use metal guitar tuners. Seems to me that'd look mighty unnatural.

I'm using all hand tools, as well (besides my knife)... Like an old hand crank drill and a dovetail saw.

I'll see if I can get my hands on some oak and find my knife...

Roger Martin said:

Its not all that hard to whittle a peg or 2.I've made old style wooden pegs out of mahogany,and oak.
The main thing is to make sure your pegs fits tight enough when pushed in to hold tension.
You might consider whittling a couple and test fitting on a piece of scrap.
Lots of people are scared of failing to get it right.
What I did was pull up a picture of a violin peg and then try to copy it.I've built a few banjos with my homemade pegs and never had a problem.
Its tough to sell an instrument with the old style pegs because the public cant understand how they work either lol

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Permalink Reply by Jon Asmussen on May 2, 2009 at 5:52am

Hi there, check out this link for making tuners

http://dannyandterrybell.20m.com/minstrelbanjo.html

Another way is to purchase violin tuners and just use them as friction. Banjo have used them for a long time under more tension then the guitars. They will slip more, but it does work.

As for oak,
My best cheap oak comes from Pallets. You can usually find a broken one {the slats} that has been discarded in industrial areas. the 3 remaining large pieces are usually very good oak. Rough mind you, but it is awesome raw material.

Just as a throw in, I would have loved to see this banjo in person, The person that built it was a true craftsman. You might have to look at the detail to see all of the innovations
http://www.zeppmusic.com/Homemade/homemade.htm

Have a great day! Jon

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Permalink Reply by toasterburn on May 2, 2009 at 6:05am

not sure if this helps, but I'm making mine out of bits of hardware from lowes. thumb screws and wingnuts mostly.

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Permalink Reply by biddlewicket on May 2, 2009 at 6:58am

Well, I just ordered me some regular tuners anyhow. Considering my poor whittlin' skills and the time that might be involved. 'sides, this one string can still look rustic with just one piece of newfangled technology on it. ;)


Jon Asmussen said:

Hi there, check out this link for making tuners

http://dannyandterrybell.20m.com/minstrelbanjo.html

Another way is to purchase violin tuners and just use them as friction. Banjo have used them for a long time under more tension then the guitars. They will slip more, but it does work.

As for oak,
My best cheap oak comes from Pallets. You can usually find a broken one {the slats} that has been discarded in industrial areas. the 3 remaining large pieces are usually very good oak. Rough mind you, but it is awesome raw material.

Just as a throw in, I would have loved to see this banjo in person, The person that built it was a true craftsman. You might have to look at the detail to see all of the innovations
http://www.zeppmusic.com/Homemade/homemade.htm

Have a great day! Jon

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Permalink Reply by Murray on May 29, 2011 at 11:17am

Has anyone ever seen anything like TWO bolts of different diameters. I have been thinking whether this would work like pulleys to give something other than 1:1 tuning. Probably not a lot of room mechanically available and not a lot of effect but it was thought I wanted to share in case anyone with better mechanical skills thinks it would work or absolutely NOT work! Any maybe those nylon-insert nuts to help hold tension.

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Permalink Reply by jeff maurer on May 30, 2011 at 3:42am

use the eyebolt steup. just made a two string bass and they hold a good tuning

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Permalink Reply by ProfWaldo on May 30, 2011 at 4:02am

Might I suggest an old water valve, like the type used outside for your garden hose. You could whittle your stick down so it fits tight inside the valve. Drill a hole in the stem or just tie off the string around the handle. These valves have a nut where the stem meets the valve body which can be tightened so it doesn't "self-adjust" itself loose. I've used these, they work pretty well n' look cool.

Just a thought..... 

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on June 1, 2011 at 11:23am

context=userhttp://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/2592684:Photo:116163?context=user

 

This one is pretty primitive. Just a dowel, tapered with sandpaper and glues to a piece of wood. Works great.

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