Banjo Building

Subject: Banjo Building
From: Patrick-Costello
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 08:52 AM

Neil Turner has been documenting the steps he takes to make necks for Somerset County banjos.

Part I cutting neck blanks.

Part II rough shaping the neck

Part III using the copy-carver, with video!

Part IV shaping the heel and peghead.

-Patrick
Somerset County Banjos

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: bald headed step child
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 07:04 PM

Thanks for posting that Patrick.

I've been conteplating havein Neil build me a neck for an antique pot I have.

BHSC

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 11:09 AM

Mine is just the opposite problem, baldie. I have several Vega necks, given to me by Mudcatter Escapee. I have to build pots for them. I am looking for plans and tips on how to do this.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 11:12 AM

Hi Mick - Barry Murphy in Windmill Hill, East Sussex is a very experienced banjo maker and restorer. He may be able to help you out.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 11:17 AM

Good man, ya are, Will. I will drop a line to Senor Murphy straight away.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 12:03 PM

My pleasure. Barry used to restore pianos at the Finchcocks piano museum near Goudhurst in Kent, lived in the US for a while - where he set up guitars for Doc Watson - and then got back over here. He's semi-retired now but still does jobs now and then, and is a mine of knowledge. He made me a tone ring for my old 1904 Windsor tenor banjo - at a price - but which made a huge diference to the instrument.

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: bald headed step child
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 01:36 PM

Vega necks? Really? Any extra's?

BHSC

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 02:00 PM

Man ..... I've got a couple, but I really want to build them up. I feel bad saying that, because they were a gift to me from Escapee. They are very cool, and I can't wait to build a pot and rehab them into a playable instrument. Let me think about it.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: bald headed step child
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 02:10 PM

Not a problem, Mick.

I'd probably feel bad putting a Vega on the pot I have anyway.

Keep an eye out and you might find an old Vega pot in need of a neck.

I'll let you know if I see anything in my travels.

BHSC

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 02:26 PM

Good man yerself. I would be interested. They are tenor banjo necks.

Mick

Subject: RE: Banjo Building
From: bald headed step child
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 02:47 PM

OK, I've been loooking for 5 strings.

Ebay has alot of tenors that can be had pretty cheap.

You might find a tenor or mando-banjo with a decent pot that you could add a vega style tone ring to pretty cheap.

The pot I have is a mando-banjo with a bad neck I picked up for about $45.

Something like that would be cheaper than building a whole new pot.

BHSC