CEParagon124 - Posted - 10/25/2014:  14:05:23

I was thinking more along the line of using a six to eight inch diameter tin to push the skin up through a correspondingly sized hole in the top of the banjo.

Charlie

BBanjers - Posted - 10/26/2014:  01:00:12

Thanks for compliment Chip.

Rudy, I love your new tension design, have you made the solid wood version yet?. I've tried several ways of tensioning but have never found a satisfying design.

I now make up a 2 layer wooden hoop for the tone ring, I prefer the sound over metal ones. I've never tried pvc pipe but I'll give it a go on my next build to see how it sounds.

chip arnold - Posted - 10/26/2014:  06:09:12

CParagon, That's how the 6" stovepipe used to be used. In the area around where I lived, in N. Ga., E. Tn. and W. N.C., that seemed to be the commonest way. I've played a Frank Proffitt banjo with a stovepipe stretcher, too. Gordon Paris, of Shooting Creek, N.C. made me one nearly 40 years ago and it had stovepipe as well. I've used stovepipe and gallon paint cans, but as I said, I didn't like the tone as much. it's fascinating to see all the different ways people came up with to make these old banjos.

rudy - Posted - 10/26/2014:  07:11:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by BBanjers

Thanks for compliment Chip.

Rudy, I love your new tension design, have you made the solid wood version yet?.

I've tried several ways of tensioning but have never found a satisfying design.

I now make up a 2 layer wooden hoop for the tone ring, I prefer the sound over metal ones. I've never tried pvc pipe but I'll give it a go on my next build to see how it sounds.

---

I have.  It's a great design and I've pleased with it.  It needs to be disassembled and finished before I post any photos and I'll do the CAD drawings at that time so I can verify any construction details while it is in pieces.  I've got a few other instruments that take priority over the mountain banjo project, though.  Here are a few other cross section views of other working designs you may or may not have tried from my Banjohangout home page photos section:

Proffitt alternative head tensioning

Mountain Banjo Pot Design 10

Mountain Banjo Pot Design 11

CEParagon124 - Posted - 10/26/2014:  07:20:05

Chip, now I understand. Thanks.

Charlie Noyes

BBanjers - Posted - 10/26/2014:  09:02:39

Thanks for posting the tensioning designs Rudy.

Looking forward to seeing the photos once the banjo is finished.

CEParagon124 - Posted - 11/12/2014:  16:43:08

Just FYI'ing this group:

banjohangout.org/topic/294321

Charlie Noyes

rev_evans - Posted - 12/11/2014:  19:22:55

I have lurked on the hangout for sometime and am now trying my hand at this incredible instrument. I normally make telecaster style guitars and I am in process with a few acoustic guitars so what is one more project right?

I'm hoping to build the first of many but I did have a clarifying question.

I have read through this very thorough thread but I still have a question for those of you that have accomplished builds.

Have you noticed a large difference in tone rings? Functionality, durability, sound, and just overall preference. I am currently debating between a coffee can and pvc for a drumhead with a t-nut style tension system. I want to build a good mountain banjo but with a couple of modern conveniences for intonation and playability. 

Any thoughts?

chip arnold - Posted - 12/12/2014:  07:04:02

I like the strength and tone of PVC. I use a tensioning system.

cbcarlisle - Posted - 12/12/2014:  10:21:58

Do we know who got this banjer? And was there additional information to be had? Not bad at $70.

http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/294321

CEParagon124 - Posted - 12/12/2014:  16:18:35

Looking at the winning bidder's Ebay history, this appears to be the first musical instrument they have purchased, at least in the past period that Ebay allows one to see.

They buy a lot of items listed in General Antiques and Jewelry.

I'd think the high bidder would not be a member here.

Charlie Noyes

BungleBanjo - Posted - 12/12/2014:  18:56:59

Rev,

I've used PVC in the past which I found it very easy to work with, however, I made tone rings out of zebra wood on my last 2 banjos and I find they sound so much better. I don't think I will go back to anything other than wood. Good luck on your first build!

rev_evans - Posted - 12/17/2014:  10:08:28

Thank you Bungle and Chip. I still haven't quite decided which to go with. And to make the decision more difficult I now have access to a lathe to turn a wood tone ring if desired. Still leaning towards metal and pvc as I don't have the expertise on the lathe but who knows.

Any other preferences?

chip arnold - Posted - 01/15/2015:  07:59:27

Not sure how to link to pictures! If it doesn't work, go to my BHO photo page and check out the Cherry - Walnut banjo album. It's nearly finished and I think it's the prettiest one yet.

Edited by - chip arnold on 01/15/2015 08:01:32

karuhi - Posted - 03/29/2015:  03:19:20

hello everyone, I'm a New Zealander about to build a mountain banjo. Had a few issues finding a goat skin. i have contacted a few drum guys but as yet i've had no reply. I'm wondering about using a possum skin. australian possum - introduced here and are a pest.
can i just pluck a possum - skin it, clean it, and use it raw? does it have to be dried (and then re-soaked) or tanned ?
looking forward to your replies - cheers - Justin.

DEmery - Posted - 03/29/2015:  03:54:37

Justin you can contact John Balch here at BHO regarding getting a quality goat skin for your mountain banjo. John mounts skin heads for folks all over the country and over seas. He has access to suppliers and possibly can arrange for you to get a hide appropriate for your build. David E.

chip arnold - Posted - 03/29/2015:  05:57:44

Consistently good quality heads.

elderly.com/accessories/banjo_heads.html

karuhi - Posted - 03/29/2015:  12:35:03

Thank you for that David and Chip, If i have to import one (as a last resort) I'll have a close look at those. NZ is very strict on any organic material imports - especially animal products. Can still do it but it's $$$.
we have millions - literally millions of possums running around chomping through our native forests. and I'm off deer hunting shortly for the roar (mating season) and so deer skin is also another possibility.
would really like to know what is needed to be done to a raw skin if possible.
any kiwis out there ? or even better ones with a spare goat skin for sale?
thanks everyone
Justin

karuhi - Posted - 03/29/2015:  13:20:20

By the way, i read the entire 35 pages last night in this thread - marvelous resource.

Iron Paw - Posted - 03/29/2015:  21:07:24

Hi Justin.

Yep, another Kiwi inhabiting this site.

Great resource, marvelous folk.

Enjoy!

Noah Cline - Posted - 04/15/2015:  19:34:31

youtu.be/Wb2lwyK9DqA -- Link to my newest build (#14/Cherry/Walnut). I may put it up for sale, so I'll post the ad if I decide to.

Edited by - Noah Cline on 04/15/2015 19:35:55

rudy - Posted - 04/19/2015:  04:38:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by karuhi

By the way, i read the entire 35 pages last night in this thread - marvelous resource.

---

That's a lot of reading in one night!

Here's a link to a recent post about procuring a mountain banjo head that was over in the Builder's forum; there's even information on how to do your own possum hide cure.

banjohangout.org/topic/302392

cbcarlisle - Posted - 04/28/2015:  13:38:09

I hope this is not a senior moment but I found this short film while rummaging around the web. I don't think I had seen it mentioned before...

doc.appstate.edu/student-video...ns-people

teebee - Posted - 04/28/2015:  16:17:15

Thanks! My wife bought me one of these for my birthday. She came in and watched with me. Nice film/video.

teebee - Posted - 04/28/2015:  16:22:15

My picture is of a banjo I built and the video is about the banjos that John Peterson builds.

Noah Cline - Posted - 05/12/2015:  21:38:03

The cherry/walnut mtn. banjo I recently built is currently for sale.

Ad here: banjohangout.org/classified/51313

slim_pkns - Posted - 06/01/2015:  14:47:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by karuhi

Thank you for that David and Chip, If i have to import one (as a last resort) I'll have a close look at those. NZ is very strict on any organic material imports - especially animal products. Can still do it but it's $$$.

we have millions - literally millions of possums running around chomping through our native forests. and I'm off deer hunting shortly for the roar (mating season) and so deer skin is also another possibility.

would really like to know what is needed to be done to a raw skin if possible.

any kiwis out there ? or even better ones with a spare goat skin for sale?

thanks everyone

Justin

---

Hello,

I'm not sure if you received a reply regarding natural skin banjo heads... but yes, you can use just about any skin.  Opossum was a traditional skin used for banjo heads readily available as many regions of the United States ate opossum, or possum if you like.  The most widely used was groundhog, but I'm not sure of the equivalent in New Zealand.

You will definitely need to prepare the hide.  It can't be used 'raw' as you say.  You'll want to remove the fat and the hair.  You can find lots of information on traditional tanning techniques all over the Internet, but I suggest getting the Foxfire 3 book.  It covers both skins and banjo / dulcimer making.  It's a great resource and a truly good read!

I can point you to some resources if you need help and would prefer not to get the book.

Cheers,

--- slim_pkns

Noah Cline - Posted - 06/08/2015:  14:29:25

New teardrop mountain banjo I just finished today: youtu.be/TZ6pnzA4mkI

Will put this one up for sale shortly...

BungleBanjo - Posted - 06/27/2015:  12:30:54

So my friend, Jeffrey plays bass in a death metal band. He has always admired my mountain banjos...so I made him this hybrid mountain banjo bass. It is made out of zebrawood with ebony accents. The pot is about 13 inches and it has a 30 inch scale length. The middle ring is covered with a hammered copper band. The peghead overlay is the same hammered copper. The tone ring is made of oak. It had a goatskin head and was finished with wipe-on poly

Noah Cline - Posted - 07/26/2015:  13:49:09

Newest build: youtu.be/Ml9A8vurlwM

#17 will be for sale when I get the head put on.

BungleBanjo - Posted - 07/27/2015:  05:35:42

That banjo looks really nice, Noah! Lovely work. I love the metal work on it. What type of metal did you use?

chip arnold - Posted - 07/27/2015:  06:06:41

Beautiful job, Noah and beautiful picking as well.