Finished building the Carolina Crystal Canjo today featuring an old etched film can "resonator", a blue quartz crystal bridge, an agate nut and an American Chestnut neck made from the timbers of a 200 year old barn. It sounds a bit like a banjo and rings like a bell so I decided not to add an electric pickup on this one.

Views: 115

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Bill Raddatz on December 29, 2014 at 12:56pm

Hey thanks, Jim.

Comment by Jim Morris on December 29, 2014 at 12:43pm

That's real nice!

Comment by Bill Raddatz on December 29, 2014 at 12:32pm

Thanks, Bluesheart. Yup, it sounds pretty amazing sittin' on the old film can. I should mention that I bolted two smaller additional film can lids onto the inside back of this canjo which might also help with the resonance of the thing.

Comment by Bluesheart on December 29, 2014 at 11:31am

Very nice! I've used rocks before as bridges or nuts but never polished gem stones, perfect on this one!!

Comment by Bill Raddatz on December 29, 2014 at 8:55am

Thanks Dave and Uncle John. Your comments mean a lot to me.

Comment by Uncle John on December 29, 2014 at 3:25am

Like, like, like.

Comment by Dave Lynas on December 29, 2014 at 12:58am

Great ideas Bill.

Comment by Bill Raddatz on December 28, 2014 at 2:53pm

I have a friend, Derek Graziano, who is an accomplished luthier who makes and plays hammered dulcimers. He recently started using gem stones as bridge caps in his dulcimers. I showed him one of my more recent canjo builds and he suggested that I could use crystals for bridges and nuts for my builds. So, I thought I'd incorporate them in this new build. Derek is also a lapidarist and cut the quartz crystal and agate nut for me. The quartz rests directly on the metal can, and the agate nut is recessed int the neck so they do really seem to increase the tonal quality of the canjo. Pretty, too. Plus, they increase the value of the piece.

Comment by Dave Lynas on December 28, 2014 at 11:39am

I had no idea crystals, agates or other rocks could make good bridge, nut material. This opens up a whole new world. I know Randy Bretz is starting to use some stone too. Nice work Bill.

Comment by Bill Raddatz on December 27, 2014 at 5:47pm

Thanks for the nice comment, Dave.

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

Nut

Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans on Sunday. 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

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

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER posted photos
30 minutes ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
46 minutes ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

RunAway Girl BCB 2024

Domestic Disturbance Home cruelty and mis understanding today's Problem Child, true all times leads to Runaway's Girls & boy's that run away from there see...
49 minutes ago
BrianQ. commented on Cigar Box Nation's status
"Got my popcorn ready, waiting for the show! :)"
7 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Rich's photo
Thumbnail

RTL Drawing box 1

"Defending the nation, one cbg at a time!!!"
7 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Rich's photo
7 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Six Chugger CBG Build

"Just stealing a page from your playbook Rich! Since all the boxes are vintage, I decided to place…"
9 hours ago
Rich commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Six Chugger CBG Build

"Interesting,  the juxtaposition of the 3D printed handmade items and the Singer sewing machine…"
11 hours ago
Rich liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
11 hours ago
Rich commented on Cigar Box Nation's status
"Looking forward to it."
11 hours ago
Rich posted a photo

RTL Drawing box 1

Coming soon to a CBG near you.- Marching right out of the frame.
12 hours ago
Cigar Box Nation posted a status
"Working on updates to the updated Cigar Box Nation! Lots to do. Coming soon -shane"
16 hours ago

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 -->