Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area

Subject: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 12:25 AM

One of my coworkers gave me an old four string banjo with a broken head on it on the condition that I get it fixed and played. Ever since Jim Bumgarden passed away I don't know of a good luthier to take my instruments to.

Anyone know of any good banjo luthiers in the DC/Maryland area? I just need the head replaced and it set up.

Also, what should I expect to pay?

JAB

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: banjoman
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 07:22 AM

Sorry I am the other side of the Atlantic, but replacing the head on a banjo is not rocket sience and armed with a few simple tools I bet you could do it.
Try the Stewart McDonald website as the have loads of tips and information which would help

Setting up is failrly easy provide you take you time.
I would also recomend The complete Banjo Repair book which gives all the info you need and would save you a fortune.
Give it a try
Pete

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 07:46 AM

If the head is a 'standard' size (Diameter)it should be easy to get a Remo Plastic head - AND if Fredericksburg is driveable , try Pickers Supply - Web Site

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 12:52 PM

Ask the people at

href="http://www.hmtrad.com/">House of Musical Traditions, Takoma Park

Bought my favorite banjo from them a few years ago.

Russ (Permanent GUEST and banjo player)

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 12:54 PM

Crap,

Let me try again.

House of Musical Traditions, Takoma Park

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 02:07 PM

...or, just call Bob Clayton for an evaluation.

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 03:30 PM

For that sort of job, I was going to say House of Musical Traditions until I scrolled down and saw that Russ beat me to it. They actually do some repairs and the job you're describing should be reasonably easy for them.

You might also ask the folks at Turtle Hill Banjo Company.

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: fretless
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 03:36 PM

Whoops. My cookie needed resetting. The previous post was mine.

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: Songbob
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 04:01 PM

If all that's needed is head replacement and cleanup, it's no big job. You can do it yourself. Measure the shell's diameter (take three measurements, at angles to each other -- old shells can be out-of-round), then go to Elderly Instruments or Stewart-MacDonald and order a plastic head of that size. Get a "high crown" head unless the stretcher band (the metal hoop that pulls the head down) is not very wide (1/2" or less). Shipping will be a few days, and then just remove the old head, clean the surface and pop on the new. It's dull work, tightening the brackets, but not difficult.

If the existing head is a skin head, you can get a skin head, but those replacements are trickier -- you have to soak the head in water, put it on wet, trim off the excess, and get it just right when it has dried. Not that easy, not that hard, but not worth it if you're looking for a good tenor banjo sound anyway.

As Bill Day said, you can call or email me, but HMT or do-it-yourself is how I'd do it, myself.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 04:11 PM

Yer in luck, Jimbo... There's a joint in Fredricksburg that if you don't know about, you should... It's called "Pickers Supply" and they are an old timey geetar shop and do work on just about any stringed instrument...

The owner, Bran Dillard, has an office filled with goodie instruments and if you tell him that I told you to show them off to tyou he might take you back there and blow yer mind with the stuff that he has stashed...

The lutheir there is Joe Latham who has quite a reputatipon for getting stuff right... Slow but good...

Plus you'll get to see all the other goodies in old town F-burg...

B~

BYW, Bran knows me more as Sidewalk Bob, not Bobert... Just tell him that yer friends with the guy who owns the cigar box Lowebow... That'll get you the "Quarter Tour"...

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 12:18 AM

Thanks all.

I've replaced two skin banjo uke heads myself, but am never sure about the tension, etc. This job seemed to be different, and for some reason more complicated. So, I wss thinking about a Luthier that knows banjos. I just have to find a 10.5" head, preferably fibreskin. HMT, Pickers Supply, or Turtle Hill all sound like options I will check out. HMT is on the way home from work, but I've heard mixed reviews on their repair work.

Let you know how it turns out.

JAB

Hey BOBERT. WE HAVE GOT TO GET TOGETHER AND PLAY AGAIN SOON! You should stop by the new Barbershop next time you are up. It is pretty cool and the jam seems to be having a rebirth.

Subject: RE: Banjo Luthier Needed in DC Area
From: open mike
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 01:45 AM

if a luthier fixes lutes, what is a banjo fixer called? a banjier?