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Comment by Dave Lynas on April 24, 2016 at 8:01am

How did you skin your drum? I heard you can use a big truck hose clamp to rim the drum. Using white glue to hold it once set. Then using a razor blade to trim around the clamp. I make flutes and ocarinas also. I got to be an assistant to Susan Rawclffe (featured in Mud to Music). She,s a wonderful musician. Her didgeridoo playing is fantastic. She blew me away. I make ceramic digeridoos also. Thanks for all the info Janis. Keep up the fun...

Comment by Janis Wilson Hughes on April 24, 2016 at 3:19am

Hi Mick! Thanks a lot! I get really cranky about tone when it comes down to wanting to play for any amount of time, and I'm so pleased I was able to get this warmth. When I first dialed it in last week, I played for hours (probably the first time I've done that in years).

Comment by Janis Wilson Hughes on April 24, 2016 at 3:12am

Hey Dave, 

It's pretty cool to combine the fairly open ended design possibilities of clay with making cbgs, but there are definitely limitations & complications with joining clay and wood as you know. Still, it's a fun challenge! I bet you could come up with some very cool designs with all your experience. 

Yes, I love that book From Mud to Music! I've made several ceramic drums with stretched goat skin heads and a whole bunch of ocarinas. Last year when I was looking for more books on technical drum building, I kept seeing books about building cbgs. That combined with a chance chat with Charles Atchison who lives in my town got me started on the path to making myself some cbgs. I've been a hobby guitarist for a long time, and after my hubby & I made our first 3 string late last summer I was pretty hooked on the cbgs. I've only made a handful by myself. My woodworking skills are pretty basic.

Here's one of my ceramic drums inspired by the 'clay bass drum' in From Mud to Music.

Comment by Janis Wilson Hughes on April 24, 2016 at 2:46am

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the kind words on my design. I'm looking forward to seeing where things may go on some ceramic designs between those of us who work with clay around here. Attaching the wood sound board like you did wasn't even on my radar. I see how that fits nicely with your gourd designs. I'm trying to calm down on my excitement over building more and just take time to enjoy playing mine, as well. I totally get your sentiments there!

I saw that video of the Irishman who makes the guitars from slip casting motorcycle gas tanks too! It was a while ago, and I haven't been able to find it again. His designs were really tight & refined. It was quite impressive! I wish I could track that down again. 

Hope you are having a lot of fun playing your creations! I bet the build-bug will bite you again soon. ;)

Comment by Dave Lynas on April 23, 2016 at 5:02pm

Have you seen the book From Mud To Music. It is a trip for sure!

Comment by Dave Lynas on April 23, 2016 at 4:58pm

Thanks much Janet. I'm an old potter and now build wood stringed instruments. I'll have to try a pottery guitar soon. Thanks!

Comment by Greg Thompson on April 23, 2016 at 6:30am

Hey Janis,
Thanks for the response.
I can imagine designing for the shrinking clay is a total bear!
I worked around that with the wood sound board. I used Gorilla glue at the two points where the neck runs through the body. I had to trim the neck a little to get a snug fit. The sound board is attached the same way. All in all, it wasn't hard. I did remember not to glaze where I was planning gluing. As you know, the clay is pourous, so it accepts glue pretty well. My original thinking was that the clay would be a natural material for sound, since it is used in African drums and flutes, etc... I like to use gourds in my builds and saw a connection, too. I agree with you 100%, clay has so many properties that can be exploited. I little whil back I saw an Irish gentleman who was building clay body guitars, too. He was going about it opposite from me. I forget his name, but he has casting motorcycle fuel tanks as bodies... It was very cool!
I like your approach and look forward to your build development. I think I need to work out how I want to proceed. Right now, I've been trying to learn to play instead building and I have a good selection of gourds to play with...
Keep up the great work! Your innovation and creative spirit is inspiring!

Comment by Mick Erglis on April 23, 2016 at 4:31am

 Has real warmth of tone, sounds so good, well done !! :)

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on April 22, 2016 at 10:17am

Thanks Janis. Hopefully won't be long. Have a good rest of the day and thanks again for the inspiration. :)

Comment by Janis Wilson Hughes on April 22, 2016 at 10:03am

Dani & Bear, as far as I'm concerned, if you're up for installing a mag pup you like, then that's the way to go. More work but worth it. I'm looking forward to seeing your chugger. You've done some cool, unique builds.

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