mike gregory - Posted - 07/23/2014:  13:36:32

Much inspired by the Steveh 2o design for the "CANEjo", I cobbled up a 2-string banjo uke to see if I might be able to produce quicker, cheaper cookie-tin  banjos for sale at Art & Crapft Fairs.

This one took me EXACTLY 30 minutes, and it makes a sweet enough sound.

I imagine a dulcimer- fretted 3 stringer shouldn't take much longer, even if I do a bit more on making the back of the neck rounder.

Brass pins to hold the fishline strings, eyebolt tuning pegs.

Once I've got it working, I'll offer the plans.

Experimental Uke /w "T" bridge

Eyebolt & Tape for tuning peg

Sheet metal screws to hold cookie tin to neck

T-bridge, side view

mike gregory - Posted - 07/23/2014:  13:37:36

For those of you who missed it, here's his CaneJo

banjohangout.org/topic/288579/#3637162

 

mike gregory - Posted - 07/23/2014:  13:53:30

Sounds a bit tinny, but it took 30 minutes to cobble together.

I imagine it will sound better after a few design improvements.

banjohangout.org/myhangout/med...archived=

mike gregory - Posted - 07/23/2014:  20:14:36

I wrote down the start time, made a 3-stringed cookie tin "Strumstick" with fishline strings, eyebolt pegs, and penciled-on fret marks.
Even with making a few mistakes, it was still finished in less than an hour.
Pics & sound files to follow.

mike gregory - Posted - 07/23/2014:  20:38:45

As promised:

Pics of the 3-stringer.

And a sound file:

banjohangout.org/myhangout/med...archived=

Edited by - mike gregory on 07/23/2014 20:43:45

3-stringed cookie-tin banjo, dulcimer fingerboard	T-bridge, side view	Penciled fret marks.	Eyebolt pegs
Small brass nails as string anchors

mike gregory - Posted - 07/23/2014:  20:49:21

Hmm.... I just checked.
Strumstick IS a trademark, so I'll have to call it something else.

Mastertone?
Dobro?

How about "GoPluckYerZelf"?

steveh_2o - Posted - 07/23/2014:  20:56:47

Pluckstick! It sounds great.

Can you tell if there is much difference in the sound verses the tin at the end of the neck if you had the same setup otherwise?

mike gregory - Posted - 07/24/2014:  05:09:34

What I would have to do is find two identical tins, and twist the fishline strings as identically as possible.

But, seriously, it's a COOKIE TIN banjo.

I'm sure Roger Siminoff has the expertise for doing a major engineering exam on this, ( I was in AWE of his articles in the mags), but, that's not my idea of fun.

steveh_2o - Posted - 07/24/2014:  06:22:25

quote:

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Originally posted by mike gregory

What I would have to do is find two identical tins, and twist the fishline strings as identically as possible.



But, seriously, it's a COOKIE TIN banjo.



I'm sure Roger Siminoff has the expertise for doing a major engineering exam on this, ( I was in AWE of his articles in the mags), but, that's not my idea of fun.

---

Well I used to have an oscilloscope around here somewhere...   No seriously, I just wondered if you thought it had a considerably different sound ran through the neck that way,   

You bring up something else.   I haven't been twisting the line. I guess I should.