#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Wood Top Banjo

BANJO BUILD-OFF
This 5-string banjo is hand built from scratch, no recycled parts, or materials.
It has a wood top of thin cedar; the cross braces are of Sitka spruce. For the pot and the neck, I used Yellow Walnut and New Guinee Rosewood laminations. The fingerboard is Jarrah, and the truss rod cover is Ivory. Decorative embellishments are yellow Walnut with Ebony inlay and mother of pearl. A custom maple bridge, Burdiken Plum armrest, and tailpiece along with regular Gotoh geared tuners finish off this build. It has a nice warm tone the highs are bright but not glass shattering.
Cheers Taff

9 members like this

View Full Size

Tags:

Comment

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

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Andrew Stevenson on October 25, 2020 at 6:16am: That is ok, Taff, I am in no hurry. Still have to "upgrade" our detached garage for winter woodworking projects. Right now it has no insulation and winters in midcoast Maine can be "nippy." No hurry on my account. Enjoy the day, Andrew

Comment by Taffy Evans on October 24, 2020 at 6:37pm: Ok Andrew, don't hold your breath, I cant see or post photos at the moment. I have reported my problem, but I don't know how to fix it my end.
Taff

Comment by Andrew Stevenson on October 24, 2020 at 4:07pm: Taff, I look forward to reading any lessons you want to pass on, thanks!

And John, your wooden top looks very slick!

It is uplifting to see so much craftsmanship. Thank you both.

Andrew

Comment by Andrew Stevenson on October 24, 2020 at 4:07pm: Taff, I look forward to reading any lessons you want to pass on, thanks!

And John, your wooden top looks very slick!

It is uplifting to see so much craftsmanship. Thank you both.

Andrew

Comment by Taffy Evans on October 24, 2020 at 10:56am: Hi John, yes I agree with the dowel stick comment. Its much easier fitting and adjusting the neck without one.

For some reason I cant see any photos???? Anywhere. Is it me or something amiss with the website?
Taff

Comment by john calkin on October 23, 2020 at 2:44pm: I've made a number of wooden head banjos. One of the first things I did was enclose to back to make them much louder, and after years of repairs I hate dowel sticks so I have never used one. This one is all mahogany with a block-built rim.

Comment by Taffy Evans on October 23, 2020 at 12:39pm: Hmmmm! Why no photos??

Comment by Taffy Evans on October 23, 2020 at 12:38pm: Hi, thanks for looking and the encouraging comments guys.

Andrew, I have 70 photos of this build process. The photos are of the first one I built, pictured here.

However the photos need explanatory notes as there are lots of jigs used. These were to make the build repeatable. I over braced the first one, made the second one lighter, but maybe still over-braced.
Give me a bit off time to start notes for the photos. I'll post in the Building tip forum. Watch that space.
Taff

Comment by Dakota Don on October 23, 2020 at 4:02am: Outstanding craftsmanship. Well done!

Comment by Andrew Stevenson on October 23, 2020 at 3:17am: That is a beautiful job, Taffy! Thank you for sharing the photo. I would like to follow your lead and make one as well. Do you have some "in-process" photos or some advice on constructing the pot...or maybe what NOT to do? Your design reminds me strongly of the banjos built by Rudy of Blue Stem Strings. Congratulations! Andy Stevenson