Banjo-mandolin

[Default]

Since my enforced confinement at home has left me sitting around with nothing to do, I decided to take care of some projects that were pushed onto the back burner. So I finally got around to working on the banjo mandolin that I bought a while back. It needed a new head, the tuners were shot, The non-detachable dowel stick was warped, and the action was impossible. So, I bought some vintage space tuners from StewMac, put a new head on it, spliced some more wood onto the dowel stick and carved it into shape and finally strung it up. I wasn't able to put enough tension on the head, so I just now ordered new hooks from Smakula threaded instruments in West Virginia. Once I get them which is probably going to be a next week, I'll be able to tension the head up properly and the thing should be pretty well playable.
"Cat for scale"

 

[Nuuska]

And that kitty has sense of humor since it is blinking one eye.

 

[fronobulax]

And that kitty has sense of humor since it is blinking one eye.

Kitty is blind or missing an eye IIRC. @Default is compassionate.

 

[Nuuska]

But kitty still looks at least content - if not happy

 

[Default]

"My world is filled with toys!"

 

[Default]

I had to order new hooks for the ring, as the mishmash of parts on this instrument prevented me from doing so. I called up Smakula fretted instruments in West Virginia and they sent me a new set of hooks and rings. They put it in the mail on Saturday, and I got them on Monday. Installed the hooks and tuned it up and it sounds pretty good, actually.

If you need banjo related parts, I highly recommend them!

Smakula Fretted Instruments

PO Box 882, Elkins, West Virginia 26241

304-636-6710

 

[Nuuska]

Normal US-Mail? That is some great service

 

[Default]

Sometimes we surprise ourselves.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

Really like my old GH&S (George Houghton and Sons), made in Birmingham, probably in the 1930s, or possibly 20s. Typical British "Zither Banjo" construction. Bought it off eBay a few years back and fixed it up. Shame I couldn't salvage the original tuning machines which are different to any I've seen elsewhere and which were secured with brass nails! Pictures show it as it is now, the original tuners and the modern ones I modified to replace them.

 

[Default]

A little update. Been home a couple of days with a covid scare ( dodged the bullet ) and fooled around with it. Used a welding tip cleaner set I had, to round off the nut slots. I bent the "shell" on the tailpiece to force down the strings, and put a damper between the dowel stick and the head. Much to my astonishment, it sounds much better, and it stays in tune, at least as well as a banjo does.

A fun, if quirky instrument!

 

[AcornHouse]

A little update. Been home a couple of days with a covid scare ( dodged the bullet ) and fooled around with it. Used a welding tip cleaner set I had, to round off the nut slots. I bent the "shell" on the tailpiece to force down the strings, and put a damper between the dowel stick and the head. Much to my astonishment, it sounds much better, and it stays in tune, at least as well as a banjo does.

A fun, if quirky instrument!

You’ll be George Formbying before you know it!

 

[Default]

Already I'm attracting women in droves, DROVES I tell you!!!

Of course, they just wanted to find out what that ungodly racket was, but still.

 

[Guildedagain]

The banjo is a lethal weapon in the right hands.

 

[jp]

You're ready to form a duet with a bagpipe player.

 

[Nuuska]

Looking at a snare drum & reading a thread about banjo creates a crazy idea.

What if one should have an unused bolt-on-neck lying around?
Then cut suitable piece of wood - bolt it on the neck and attach a metal hook on bottom that would clamp to snare drum's bottom hoop.
After that some tailpiece attached to top hoop.
Wooden bridge.
Ready to play

And reversable, too.

Bonus - two tones - with & without the snares - first being like acoustic tube screamer . . .

 

[Nuuska]

You're ready to form a duet with a bagpipe player.

Make it a trio - add accordion.

There must be a Far Side picture of that somewhere

 

[Default]

Far Side Heaven and He'll.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The banjo is a lethal weapon in the right hands.

In the wrong hands it's a war crime.