Let's Talk About Wood!
Added 2018-03-05 16:59:59 +0000 UTCIn this video I talk about walnut, maple, cherry, oak and poplar--several commonly available hardwoods that are suitable for banjo building.
I find that certain woods are better-suited to different parts of the banjo for both structural and auditory reasons. And I'll talk about some of the more interesting qualities of Red Oak that make it an excellent choice for the pot of your mountain banjo.
https://www.patreon.com/cliftonhicks
Comments
OK, Joe. Look out for a video answering these questions in the near future when my schedule dies back down a bit--things have been very busy all fall as you might've noticed! I was taught how to make nuts by Jack Dillen, a noted luthier in Asheville, and it ain't as simple as one would think. Same thing goes for pegs and peg holes.
Clifton Hicks
2018-10-31 00:45:48 +0000 UTCHey Clifton, I've been wanting to ask you about your techniques for building the nut, tailpiece and particularly tuning pegs. I'd be happy just to get a closer look at the individual parts before you put them on a banjo. I know you like to use bone for the nut, but what bone (rib, femur, antler, etc) do you use and how do you shape it? Also, how do you taper the hole for the tuning peg and how do you match the taper of the hole to the peg? I know this is kind of a big question, but I'm really curious about what you have to say about it. Thanks!
Joe
2018-10-26 22:54:18 +0000 UTCI've had really good luck making spillway-dam style bridges out of white oak with the grain running vertical. Ok, "good luck" is too strong of a phrase--I'm lucky to have one that doesn't snap in pieces if I make 4. But the bridges that do stick around tend to be light and musical. Until they snap themselves in half :D
Jake Tolbert
2018-03-09 21:18:22 +0000 UTCPersimmon is indeed a true ebony and suitable for tuning pegs, fret boards etc. I have planted over 100 persimmon trees on my land but never worked with persimmon lumber!
Clifton Hicks
2018-03-06 01:00:16 +0000 UTCDisclaimer: I am a total woodworking novice. I noticed you were talking about locally available alternatives to ebony. My banjo was made by Pisgah Banjos (Asheville, North Carolina), and it has a persimmon fretboard. They specifically chose persimmon for the neck because it is in the ebony family, but is locally available. Have you ever tried building any part of a mountain banjo out of persimmon?
Nathan Rosenquist
2018-03-06 00:56:40 +0000 UTCOdds are there is a local lumber supplier or woodworker who has some nice pieces of maple for sale no matter where you're at.
Clifton Hicks
2018-03-05 21:40:16 +0000 UTCGreat stuff! Also, if that conversation about Rick Ward discusses either his playing style or the Beech Mountain banjo/dulcimer builders, I wouldn't be mad about it haha. Sure you learned some great things about the musical heritage of Boone/Watauga county while you lived there. Special place
John T
2018-03-05 21:19:20 +0000 UTCDamn. I'am stuck with pine in my area :(
Timofey Tverdiukov
2018-03-05 18:58:12 +0000 UTC
