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gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/08/2012: 14:32:48
Well folks, I've finally finished my first baby eel banjo. I started working on this a long time ago (like 4 weeks) and actually finished it about a week and a half ago but had to wait for strings as I couldn't acquire them locally. So they cam in and wow do Labella's stretch. But I think they are starting to settle down finally.
A huge tanks to Mike Gregory and Jonnycake white. Awesome guys who gave me tons of help and answered a lot of silly questions. I'll post pictures later today but my officemate and I have posted a couple of clips of him playing it to our Tout account. You can check it out here tout.com/m/9wcg1d I think it sounds pretty good.
gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/08/2012: 16:20:55
Here are some pictures of "Ace", as my wife has dubbed it. This is my first attempt to carve anything, so I figures a low cost project (less than $20 total invested) was a good starting place.
Note the Don New spillway bridge. Don sent me a couple when I bought my real banjo from him, so I used one of those for the time being. Thanks again Don for all of your help and great sounding bridges =]
Edited by - gmaxx0071 on 05/08/2012 16:22:54
Waltj - Posted - 05/08/2012: 17:58:47
It looks and sounds great. Watch out that carving and making instruments is addictive. Thanks for sharing
Walt
I lived in Utah for 5 years....
Conservative Mormon.........................Liberal Buddhist............ WOW
gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/08/2012: 20:59:35
quote:
Originally posted by Waltj
I lived in Utah for 5 years....
Conservative Mormon.........................Liberal Buddhist............ WOW
Thanks for your kind words. I have to say I myself was quite impressed with the sound I got out of this banjo. Noah was pretty impressed too it was a real bonus to have someone else appreciate my work. So thanks again =]
As to conservative Mormon and a Liberal Buddhist, what can I say ... it works. There's also a big age difference.
Jonnycake White - Posted - 05/09/2012: 13:18:16
Way to go Gary. I like the relief carving a lot. In fact I've thought of using the card motif on one of my banjos - so far I haven't gotten further than cutting out a heart inlay, but maybe someday.
These banjos aren't serious but they are seriously fun!
gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/09/2012: 14:48:16
quote:
Originally posted by goldtopia
I hope Mike Gregory don't mind you calling it a square eel.
Bill.O
motleyminstrels.co.uk
Yea I hope Mike doesn't get mad at me for using the trademarked "baby eel" name. I think he's OK with it seeing as he gave me a ton of help, and I certainly want people to know that in making my banjo I was really just copying what Mike and Jon had done before me. But imitation is the most sincere form of flattery ... right...
Thanks for the kind words Jonnycake, I really had a lot of fun, and frustration, with this. Part of it is that I'd like to make a better one and so I needed something to get my feet wet and start the learning curve. This project, which I will duplicate, really got me a good start once I make a couple of these then I will attempt to turn a pot and go from there.
mike gregory - Posted - 05/09/2012: 18:17:42
MIND? Hell, doggie, that's a COMPLIMENT!
To have the Squared Eel make such an impact on the world of BANJO,
that people are posting videos of PROFESSIONALS playing them ,youtube.com/watch?v=1FxfZ9yZ0PY
putting an image of it on T-shirts with other banjos,
(Bottom center ^ )
and cobbling up their own IMPROVED copies, makes me feel that I've done something noteable. (Pun intended).
Edited by - mike gregory on 05/09/2012 18:18:21
gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/09/2012: 19:16:54
Mike,
When you say improved, I assume your talking about maybe Jonnycake whites Fraternal twins or something, I don't think that mines any better than yours, just decorated different.
I'd seen that shirt before but missed that there was a squared eel in amongst the banjo's, thats awesome. I think that indicates a" coming of age" for the squared eel or something. Congrats.
Jonnycake White - Posted - 05/10/2012: 07:56:32
"If I have seen further than other men, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants" - or at least the guy had a giant hat and a giant mustache.
P.S. Where can I get one of those T-shirts?
Edited by - Jonnycake White on 05/10/2012 07:57:54
gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/12/2012: 10:10:27
Mike I want one of those shirts too.
Jonnycake White - Posted - 05/14/2012: 10:11:29
Found the shirts Right here in banjohangout store; banjohangout.org/store/. Now to convince my kids to buy me one for Father's day he he he....
Edited by - Jonnycake White on 05/14/2012 10:12:33
Klondike Waldo - Posted - 05/15/2012: 10:23:54
BTW, a baby eel is called an elver, so if you custom made it quickly, it would be an elver 'spressly
(that's what happens when I go away for a few days). It's nice to be back.
Edited by - Klondike Waldo on 05/15/2012 10:25:59
gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/16/2012: 08:57:20
quote:
Originally posted by Klondike Waldo
BTW, a baby eel is called an elver, so if you custom made it quickly, it would be an elver 'spressly
(that's what happens when I go away for a few days). It's nice to be back.
LOL Good one =]
mike gregory - Posted - 05/16/2012: 15:28:54
quote:
Originally posted by Klondike Waldo
BTW, a baby eel is called an elver, so if you custom made it quickly, it would be an elver 'spressly
(that's what happens when I go away for a few days). It's nice to be back.
"Thenk yew, thenk yew verr much!"
gmaxx0071 - Posted - 05/18/2012: 08:34:39
Mike you are too funny =]
grich - Posted - 05/18/2012: 09:24:24
gmaxx0071
I must say that is one fine looking eel you have made sir.
I'm proud to be the owner of an original Mike Gregory square eel banjo .. the problem I have is finding it in this office ... cause damn !
nittio - Posted - 05/18/2012: 10:17:36
Greg I see you are making a fashion statement since after your Birthday !
