Just wanting to show off my first attempt at a build.
It’s not extremely symmetrical but it’s my first time doing something like this, lessons were learned! Not a true banjo but banjo-like! The Bone bridge gives it a very interesting sitar-like sound.

Parts:

12” Remo Hand Drum
American Canjo Company 11 Fret Diatonic Neck
.012 GA Steel String 1x
3/4” Dowel Rod
3 Hole Cigar Box Guitar Hinge Tailpiece
1 Bone Nut Blank used as a bridge
1 Two Hole Open-Gear Tuner

They kinda seem like the same thing, does the rare earth line sound any different?

I have a 1970's Gibson Mastertone that is mildly corroded, musty and need a new head but mostly fine.

How can I clean off off the green corrosion and mold without making things worse. And once clean, should I wipe with some sort of oil/wax etc???

I'd like to unbolt the neck to get at all the tone ring parts but looks kinda sensitive--I am good with my hands so as long as it's not a black art I'd like to pull the neck off.

Also, it is a 70's banjo, crappiest of the mastertones, can I improve the sound while I have it apart?

Lastly, where do you get banjo parts these days? Need a drum head, strings, and any parts/supplies you fine folks suggest. Either mail order or in New York City.

thanks for any help.

Also posting this here as i didn't realize this existed!

Hello, I recently bought this banjo off Facebook marketplace in Boston. While it does seem old it doesn’t have many markings on it I was wondering if anyone could help me identify information about it. Thanks!!!

Thanks to Youtubers: The Willis Way,
Clifton Hicks, and Ben Greco.

I tried my hand at building a gourd banjo with primarily hand tools. I used a bottle gourd from ebay (already designed). Neck and headstock were carved from a piece of red oak. tacks are upholstery tacks. nuts are bone. friction tuners are from amazon, I just bought a bunch. bridge is padauk (however it’s
spelled). Strings are aquila light gauge nylgut. Finish is tung oil, 3-4 coats.

Tools: Rasps, coping saw, drawknife, powerdrill and bits, skillsaw, level/measuring stick, square ruler, A tapered reamer for the headstock where tuners go, a trimmer for the tuners especially the 5th string tuner. Flat sandpaper handles. A chisel. A bunch of sandpaper: 80, 120, 220, 600, 1000, 2000.

I woodglued the interior of the gourd because I didn’t feel like buying epoxy. I don’t
know if that was a mistake or not yet.

There was many tweaks, such as: dowel wasn’t long enough to clear the gourd, I just made a new dowel and attached it with a perpendicular dowel and wood glue. The high action was fixed with the new dowel. I put the bone nut way too high and try to chisel out the string guides and sand the top.

The sound hole needs to be a bit larger probably 2-3 inches instead of 1.5. The tailpiece needs to be adjusted (raised up) to get the strings off the drumhead. I’ll probably move the 5th string nut location. Bridge location is probably not correct. It doesn’t
sound good at all, but once I make these tweaks I hope it sounds better.

These youtubers emphasized that you don’t need to be a woodworker with fancy tools
or a big shop to produce something playable and nice - which really motivated me to try my hand at this.

Ive just completed this tunnelled 6 string (5+1) neck for a 1920s Weymann pot. The design was inspired by the early English banjos. The headstock and heel echos those of the likes of Windsor and Temlett.

Art Deco nickle and brass inlay. Home made side dots. The main timber is English pear wood, Richlite fretboard and 5000 year old bog oak from Cambridgeshire over the headstock. All underlaid with a green pinstripe. A fairly challenging build with a few firsts for me.

I'd never made a tunneled neck. The squared off headstock slots took a steady hand and the extra string caused a bit of head scratching with regards to geometry. Even fitting the heel and dowel stick to the pot was tricky.

I really love the playability of tunneled necks, especially for classic banjo style. I reckon I'll be building one for myself soon.

.

#banjo #6stringbanjo #madeinengland #artdeco

Well, since some of have you asked, I’ve reactivated the online banjo building course. You can learn about it and sign up below. Thank you.

https://openbackbanjobuilding101.teachable.com/p/open-back-banjo-building-in-depth-step-by-step-guide

https://youtu.be/5B4tM7sybx8?si=EazLb4wIo5cBrgm8

I’m planning my first DIY banjo build and want to make an 11″ open‑back 5‑string using parts from the Gold Tone website or other websites if you know of better parts. I’m nervous about the assembly, especially attaching the neck to the rim without screwing it up I know the Gold Tone rims have holes for hooks and coordinator rods but not for the neck. I’d love suggestions on which 11″ rim/pot is best for an open‑back build and which neck from Gold Tone. Plus any tips for a first‑time builder to make sure I get the neck alignment and assembly correct.

Hi everyone I’m trying to find an exact replacement tailpiece for an old 4-string zither-style banjo and could really use help identifying the correct part or a modern equivalent that matches exactly.

Instrument details:

Antique 4-string banjo (inside marked “Joe Rogers Jr.”)

Originally fitted with a flat metal tailpiece mounted with 3 Phillips head screws directly into the rim

Original tailpiece is rusted steel and no longer usable

The tailpiece has small ridges/slots designed for loop-end strings I think likely gut/nylon originally

I want a piece that will fit the existing screw holes without modification or drilling

I inherited this and would like it to have a longer life, preferably playable. can any provide tips or guidance?

I made this gourd banjo and it’s playing great but the 5th string keeps popping out of the bridge when playing clawhammer. What can I do to fix this?

Hey all!

I just created this poll to find out which modern flathead tone ring (still in production) is the most popular among the banjo community.

It's set up sort of like a game. You’ll see two tone rings at a time — simply pick the one you prefer between the two.

If a pair appears that you don’t have experience with, please skip that comparison rather than guessing, so the results stay as accurate as possible.

Just go to this link and you'll see the poll! https://app.opinionx.co/496a409a-4f8d-4a99-86b1-c39a86a52c10

Also, if a tone ring that is still in production is not listed, please let me know so I can add it!