How to Build a Gourd Banjo - Free Plans!

It's Autumn Building Season... and what better time than now to cut into a dried gourd to make a musical instrument!

The gourd banjo dates back to Africa and was one of the first instruments brought to America by slaves.  The construction has a lot in common with neck-through cigar box guitars (which, of course, were also derived from the African gourd banjo). 

First of all, let's hear a classic, fretless gourd banjo.  Barry Sholder of Gourd Banjos by Barry demonstrates one of his creations with the song, Rocky Road to Dublin.  (BTW, Sholder's instruments are absolute works of art and many include detailed headstock carvings.  Make sure to check out his website.)

HOW TO BUILD A GOURD BANJO:

These free plans were written by David G. Hyatt (c)2003.  The link goes to the PDF document that you can print out and take to your woodshop:

Views: 10901

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on March 6, 2018 at 3:27am

Yup, Barry's the man when it comes to gourd banjos!

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources

Forum

Copper Hardware

Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. 39 minutes ago. 4 Replies

Nut

Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Bill Andy yesterday. 5 Replies

You like Train songs on Handmade instruments as much as I do? Meet Eastwood station…

Started by BrianQ. in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts on Tuesday. 0 Replies

Are metal frets necessary?

Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies

AI Search Query - Curious Answer

Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies

Song lyrics for Steve's new song

Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies

UK - Best Place to Buy Cigar Box's

Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies

Busking Songs...

Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies

Joseph J. Rogowski about Current Based Pickup Design

Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Flat bucker under box top. Any Success?

Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies

Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?

Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies

just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply

VIDEO: Building a CBG with limited resources.

Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply

Free PDF Download: Vintage Guitar Effects Plans - 1967 Fuzzbox and 1969 Treble Boost

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

No Harmonics

Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies

Camera suggestions?

Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies

CBG site issues, continued.

Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies

Blog Posts

I'll be fashionable this summer =)

Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments

Everyone can make CBG. And I did it =)

Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments

.✨. Cover Me ..♪♫•*¨*•. ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments

Q&A with Arkansas-based talented blues musician Billy Jones, one of the very best authentic modern artists

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments

Big Power Bank for Small CBG =)

Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment

Latest Activity

BrianQ. replied to Bill Andy's discussion Copper Hardware
"There’s a company named Guyker that makes antique bronze tuners, they look like an old penny,…"
39 minutes ago
Gary O'slide posted a video

Western Orient song cigar box guitar @RhialtoPurple

Stream album:STREAM THIS ALBUM ON Doux Voyage: https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/21jurPPYUy7dSwukAy1D1M?si=LcGvWgp5Ty2b_yFjOiNJbASTREAM THIS ALBUM ON VA...
42 minutes ago
0 Comments
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's photo
Thumbnail

Decoration on the Spider & Frog

"Thanks Doug Glad you Do !"
50 minutes ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's photo
Thumbnail

Decoration on the Spider & Frog

"Thanks UJ !  GG (high) D, G .  only i reversed the stings On top is not the G (low) but…"
51 minutes ago
BrianQ. liked Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

Rainbow Stew (low budget cover on cigar box guitar) | Merle Haggard

1 hour ago
BrianQ. liked Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

On Top of Spaghetti: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar

1 hour ago
BrianQ. liked Glenn Kaiser's photo
Thumbnail

MAY 2024 Take Down Diddley

1 hour ago
Carl Floyd replied to Bill Andy's discussion Copper Hardware
"How about antiqued brass? https://www.eyguitarmusic.com/search.asp?keyword=Antiqued+Brass+"
4 hours ago
Glenn Kaiser commented on Glenn Kaiser's photo
Thumbnail

MAY 2024 Take Down Diddley

"Thanks Doug, will do :) -Glenn"
5 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

Rainbow Stew (low budget cover on cigar box guitar) | Merle Haggard

"A new one for me Kale, and I like it! I always enjoy your CBG covers. Happy Sunday!"
6 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Glenn Kaiser's photo
Thumbnail

MAY 2024 Take Down Diddley

"Clean and simple! Ready for a little Jailhouse Rock. Go for it Glenn!"
6 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #533 - ''Beware of Wife''

"This one is definitely an attention getter Alan! I’m not brave enough to build one like this.…"
6 hours ago

CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles

Add a Panel-Mount Gain to a C. B. Gitty Amp Board

Cigar Box Guitar Building Tip: Neck Reinforcement with Humbuckers

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Make a Straight Headstock

Cigar Box Ukulele Kit Assembly Guide

Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Building guide by Joshua Gayou

“Open A” AEA Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open E” EBE Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open D” DAD Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open G” GDG Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

Diatonic (Dulcimer-Style) Fretting – What it is, How and Why to Use It

Events

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->