Hearing him play the Gourd at the end, was just like eating something I didn’t know I was hungry for… I’m now off to look for more Gourd Banjo videos 👍🏼
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost my login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me!
Ted, other than an occasional StewMac video, you are the only UA-cam luthier I watch. There may be others that are quite competent, but you have set an incredibly high bar, and I commend you for it.
I'm the same exact way. I eagerly await new videos and quite regularly watch old ones for reference. I've studied luthiery in college for almost three years now but I feel like I've learned just as much if not more from this channel alone
Oh yea, there's only so much viewing time so I make sure it's quality and Todd here is non pareil. I pretty much have 1 or 2 go-to channels each discipline or topic
This Banjo is in Open A Add2 Tuning, it's a Minor Third below the C version since the scale length is longer like a Long neck banjo. Pete Seeger used a Long neck banjo so he could sing in a lower key.
I'm glad Ted brought up the background of not only this exact instrument but the variations of it across cultures! I've listened to a lot of Kayhan Kalhor (a master kamancheh musician) and Batzorig Vaanchig (a Mongolian morrin khuur musician). Terrific music!
There was a terrific chapter on gourd banjos and other homemade instruments in the Foxfire books my mom and dad had back in the 70s. They have a significant history in Appalachia.
Yellow pine is the wood used for pressure treated lumber. Being a dense greasy wood, even untreated to tough to use as framing as it doesn't kiln dry well hence not a stable wood. A lot twists crowns and bends
You are a pretty amazing big guy. Again I say, I’ve never seen such professionalism on any other UA-cam channel. It’s very much appreciated and admired.
I'm so glad you make these UA-cams..you're very good at it... I've learned a lot..been a fan since you started the channel..its.a great informative stress reliever...
Thank you! Every video that you release is a gift to those of us that are amazed by your skill and eager to learn something from a real master of his art.
Interesting repair yet again, and rather unusual, cudos to you for not limiting yourself to the same old same old! Here's a thought: with such an instable instrument, would a bridge make sense that has an inequilateral triangle profile, i.e. with three different lengths to its sides, giving you three different heights to choose depending on humidity levels/players requirements? A three-in-one so to say?
Great idea! I have a giant gourd I've been considering making a bass spike fiddle from. This would be a perfect way to adjust the action. The one's I've seen have cord frets tied on at the proper intervals (and adjustable should you want to go micro tonal!). They also have little bits of jangly stuff that pick up the vibrations from the strings, sort of like a tambourine.
Excellent idea! Most banjos have "feet", rather than continuous contact with the head. I'm not sure what the difference would be, but it would a great experiment.
twoodfrd Yes, I thought of that too, but figured that with the footprint of the bridge being rather small in relation to the total real estate of the banjo head, it might not make such a big difference ...? Maybe you or Dooley or somebody will try it out and share the outcome - you’re certainly welcome to the idea! 😉 KR from Munich/Germany
I worked on a prototype in clay and it seems doable. I used a 60/30 right triangle which gives you a 1: 1.5: 1.75 ratio in side length(or string height), which should be enough. I also played around with "feet" and it looks like they wouldn't interfere with the string grooves. You will just have to be careful that it doesn't mess up the string breakover angle. Okay, it looks like my algebra teacher was right: "you'll need to know this someday"!
Sounds great Dooley, are you planning to make a wooden bridge based on that prototype or are gourd bridges typically made from clay? Sorry, not familiar with this instrument ... Would be interested to see the results if possible!
A very unusual instrument. Again your attention to detail just amazes me, the thought and craftsmanship you put into what is quite a simple little bridge is incredible. Can’t wait for your next video.
Very good. It is similar to the instrument in West Africa. That is what immediately struck me. They make interesting percussion instruments in Senegal, Liberia, region
I love the links you have been putting in the descriptions. I would otherwise never have learned about Pete Ross or The Vaudevillian! Thanks for sharing
Your videos always seem teach me things. I really had never heard about an African banjo dating from pre-slavery times (here in the Americas), that featured a 5th string, high drone. I'd always ignorantly assumed it was a later hybrid...something that had, "developed and morphed" out of this bizarre and ongoing American "melting pot" of ours ("Alchemy, Americas Style", I suppose). Thanks for the clarification, Ted...your skilled work, videos, and educational abilities continue to impress.
The United States has never been a 'melting pot'. What we are is a stew, where various ingredients remain identifiable, but, when combined, create something new and unique.
Very nice! I might have to make one of those. I actually have an old style but modern build rebab, the round necked, 3 string bowed ancestor to this banjo. Fun Stuff :)
Great work!!! I have a 6 string lute purchased from an estate sale in texas, which now resides in Toronto, it needs a couple tuning gears replaces, a full set of pegs, binding repaired, and any information found from interior inspection would be wonderful. The rosette is broken and I attempted to repair the broken headstock with gorilla glue to a pathetic result. I don't have a lot of money to throw at this but maybe you are interested in a "pro-bono" since it is a unique and interesting build. I will cover all shipping and cost that I can... Interested????
Iranian Tar players manage to keep the same bridge with a calf skin by spraying water on the top and rehydrating it.not sure this would work here though. great job.
whereas early 20th century US banjo players and drummers dealing with calfskin heads would mount actual lightbulbs inside to dry the head out and keep the tension up
Now I'll know what heart pine is whenever I see it. I've always wondered about that dark, figured pine that always seemed to be way harder than any "normal" pine.
This was a fascinating instrument. Though I would have loved to seen what he finished the bridge in. It did not look like he put any finish on it at all, which would seem strange to me. Would any Luthiers out there let me know if its better to put a finish on a bridge or leave the material plan? Is one better than the other? Does putting a finish, such as lacquer change the sound?
There was an episode of the early 60's cop show The Naked City where a number of beatniks in Greenwich Village were mysteriously dropping dead. Someone was killing off the hippies and the cops were looking at anyone with a grudge At first they were chasing why until the ME determined it was anthrax and then it became How. Turns out it was on goat skin drum heads brought to New York by some dude (first one ded) from West Africa. The drums were set up on stage in a basement club which used by all. So i always raise a brow when I see skin heads
I think you may be giving the builder to much credit for wood knowledge. I could also be missing some ancient wisdom here but the blank you had was pretty much perfectly quarter sawn with nice straight run-out down the length. Hard to beat that. Very cool banjo thingy though.
It might be worth experimenting with, for the owner, but Ted's gotta get paid for his work, so unless the experiment was signed-off on by the owner, there'd be no reason for Ted to try it!
Yes, but does it need to be strong? I mean, ideally you don't want it to flex too much and become concave, and I don't think that's going to happen with this triangle shape and nylon strings. How much rigidity is needed? Maybe it's trade-off with lightness.
Geesh, someone said the channel only gets their loot if the viewer watches the ad all the way thru and today was like paying a pound of flesh... Guitar Mastery Blues Heat Map and Trump birthday card. Please God kill me now
I've never managed to get a satisfactory answer to the question of how much of an ad has to play for it to "count". Thanks for taking one for the team!
Hearing him play the Gourd at the end, was just like eating something I didn’t know I was hungry for… I’m now off to look for more Gourd Banjo videos 👍🏼
The thing I love about luthiers is when they treat an instrument with as much love as the owner. It always shows in your videos.
Sometimes more
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow lost my login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me!
@Leonardo Ahmir instablaster ;)
Ted, other than an occasional StewMac video, you are the only UA-cam luthier I watch. There may be others that are quite competent, but you have set an incredibly high bar, and I commend you for it.
I'm the same exact way. I eagerly await new videos and quite regularly watch old ones for reference. I've studied luthiery in college for almost three years now but I feel like I've learned just as much if not more from this channel alone
Oh yea, there's only so much viewing time so I make sure it's quality and Todd here is non pareil. I pretty much have 1 or 2 go-to channels each discipline or topic
This Banjo is in Open A Add2 Tuning, it's a Minor Third below the C version since the scale length is longer like a Long neck banjo. Pete Seeger used a Long neck banjo so he could sing in a lower key.
If more orthopedic surgeons worked with this level of care...
ain't that the truth!!!!
Our knees would sound better.
Aint that the truth. my knee is actually worse after acl reconstruction 😏
My orthopedic surgeon did a wonderful job with a knee replacement on my elbow.. #essentialworker, #hero
My orthopedic luthier tuned in three of the four rotator cuff strings all on one peg.
I'm glad Ted brought up the background of not only this exact instrument but the variations of it across cultures! I've listened to a lot of Kayhan Kalhor (a master kamancheh musician) and Batzorig Vaanchig (a Mongolian morrin khuur musician). Terrific music!
Fascinating, and interesting. A history lesson, and a really lovely instrument. Thank you.
That's a fascinating instrument - thanks for posting something really different!
There was a terrific chapter on gourd banjos and other homemade instruments in the Foxfire books my mom and dad had back in the 70s. They have a significant history in Appalachia.
I loved those books.
Banjo Pete - wow those are some beautiful instruments. Thanks for the link.
Yellow pine is the wood used for pressure treated lumber.
Being a dense greasy wood, even untreated to tough to use as framing as it doesn't kiln dry well hence not a stable wood.
A lot twists crowns and bends
You are a pretty amazing big guy. Again I say, I’ve never seen such professionalism on any other UA-cam channel. It’s very much appreciated and admired.
I'm so glad you make these UA-cams..you're very good at it... I've learned a lot..been a fan since you started the channel..its.a great informative stress reliever...
The neck looks so beautiful.
That sounds a LOT better than I ever imagined a gourd banjo would. I've seen a lot of pictures, but never heard one being played before. Great video!
Thank you! Every video that you release is a gift to those of us that are amazed by your skill and eager to learn something from a real master of his art.
My friends in Canada are getting ready for American Banjo on the WOODFORD Show!!!
Interesting repair yet again, and rather unusual, cudos to you for not limiting yourself to the same old same old! Here's a thought: with such an instable instrument, would a bridge make sense that has an inequilateral triangle profile, i.e. with three different lengths to its sides, giving you three different heights to choose depending on humidity levels/players requirements? A three-in-one so to say?
Great idea! I have a giant gourd I've been considering making a bass spike fiddle from. This would be a perfect way to adjust the action. The one's I've seen have cord frets tied on at the proper intervals (and adjustable should you want to go micro tonal!). They also have little bits of jangly stuff that pick up the vibrations from the strings, sort of like a tambourine.
Excellent idea! Most banjos have "feet", rather than continuous contact with the head. I'm not sure what the difference would be, but it would a great experiment.
twoodfrd Yes, I thought of that too, but figured that with the footprint of the bridge being rather small in relation to the total real estate of the banjo head, it might not make such a big difference ...? Maybe you or Dooley or somebody will try it out and share the outcome - you’re certainly welcome to the idea! 😉 KR from Munich/Germany
I worked on a prototype in clay and it seems doable. I used a 60/30 right triangle which gives you a 1: 1.5: 1.75 ratio in side length(or string height), which should be enough. I also played around with "feet" and it looks like they wouldn't interfere with the string grooves. You will just have to be careful that it doesn't mess up the string breakover angle. Okay, it looks like my algebra teacher was right: "you'll need to know this someday"!
Sounds great Dooley, are you planning to make a wooden bridge based on that prototype or are gourd bridges typically made from clay? Sorry, not familiar with this instrument ... Would be interested to see the results if possible!
I would have taken one look at this and run! Hats off to you on your deep knowledge of stringed instruments.
A very unusual instrument. Again your attention to detail just amazes me, the thought and craftsmanship you put into what is quite a simple little bridge is incredible. Can’t wait for your next video.
Very cool. Thank you for sharing with us.
Very good. It is similar to the instrument in West Africa. That is what immediately struck me. They make interesting percussion instruments in Senegal, Liberia, region
I love the links you have been putting in the descriptions. I would otherwise never have learned about Pete Ross or The Vaudevillian! Thanks for sharing
Love the sound of a hand plane being used properly.
Outstanding! What a piece of art. Well done with the new bridge.
Sounds lovely, enjoyed that little play immensely!
What a beautiful gentle sound.
I saw the thumbnail and immediately recognized Pete's work. I have a gourd banjo from him myself too ❤️
Your videos always seem teach me things. I really had never heard about an African banjo dating from pre-slavery times (here in the Americas), that featured a 5th string, high drone. I'd always ignorantly assumed it was a later hybrid...something that had, "developed and morphed" out of this bizarre and ongoing American "melting pot" of ours ("Alchemy, Americas Style", I suppose). Thanks for the clarification, Ted...your skilled work, videos, and educational abilities continue to impress.
The United States has never been a 'melting pot'. What we are is a stew, where various ingredients remain identifiable, but, when combined, create something new and unique.
@@perihelion7798 Thus my quotation marks.
@@altruisticphilanthropic4647 Alrighty then. I'm glad you are in agreement with me.
It was fun to see that banjo-thing getting a swappable bridge.
And bringing the wood to the plane, a great idea, thanks.
I'd love to see a shop tour video if you feel like
Jason Romero makes some amazing gourd banjos.
Love this one. Your channel is a joy to follow along. And hats off to your subtlety.
mesmerizing tones... Your knowledge of string instruments continues to keep me interested... oh, and your skills too! Blessings.
Very interesting banjo, love its mello tone!
What a beautiful instrument
That piece of maple is incredible.
Very cool instrument
Yet another fantastic video Ted
Very nice! I might have to make one of those. I actually have an old style but modern build rebab, the round necked, 3 string bowed ancestor to this banjo. Fun Stuff :)
Another fantastic video. Love your stuff.
Great work!!! I have a 6 string lute purchased from an estate sale in texas, which now resides in Toronto, it needs a couple tuning gears replaces, a full set of pegs, binding repaired, and any information found from interior inspection would be wonderful. The rosette is broken and I attempted to repair the broken headstock with gorilla glue to a pathetic result. I don't have a lot of money to throw at this but maybe you are interested in a "pro-bono" since it is a unique and interesting build. I will cover all shipping and cost that I can... Interested????
I love it. Thanks for sharing. Cool unfamiliar instruments.
great job, It was great
I'm in love with that neck
Iranian Tar players manage to keep the same bridge with a calf skin by spraying water on the top and rehydrating it.not sure this would work here though.
great job.
whereas early 20th century US banjo players and drummers dealing with calfskin heads would mount actual lightbulbs inside to dry the head out and keep the tension up
Fretless banjos are something else. Check out Rhiannon Giddens. She has a very interesting instrument. 👍
Excellent.
I know this was a gimme & you love challenging work; I like the muddy sound of it better than my banjo
Really cool instrument. Thank you
Very nicely done! The owner should love that.😊 I certainly would, at any rate!
Some: Wtf with fixing old plywood junk. They're garbage, throw em out
Woodford: Here, hold my Gourd
🤣🤣
Thanks
Wow...it sounds like a banjo!
Your a lot more excited on this episode
You are a pro- definitely the best maker of luthier videos.
Now I'll know what heart pine is whenever I see it. I've always wondered about that dark, figured pine that always seemed to be way harder than any "normal" pine.
It’s funny, I have to watch a video from Canada to learn about a luthier in my own city.
Very interesting instrument Ted, thanks for sharing.
so cool
7:45 Great tip! Thanks!
This was a fascinating instrument. Though I would have loved to seen what he finished the bridge in. It did not look like he put any finish on it at all, which would seem strange to me. Would any Luthiers out there let me know if its better to put a finish on a bridge or leave the material plan? Is one better than the other? Does putting a finish, such as lacquer change the sound?
I like the part where he said "vice versa" with the plane in the vice.
a wild banjo appeared
Heck I dont even like banjos most of the time but another fantastic video, thank you!
So: yes, you really CAN play whatever stringed instrument crosses your path. Impressive!
that neck is so pretty
Wondering why you didn't stain the new bridge saddle to closely? match the old bridge saddle
There was an episode of the early 60's cop show The Naked City where a number of beatniks in Greenwich Village were mysteriously dropping dead.
Someone was killing off the hippies and the cops were looking at anyone with a grudge
At first they were chasing why until the ME determined it was anthrax and then it became How.
Turns out it was on goat skin drum heads brought to New York by some dude (first one ded) from West Africa. The drums were set up on stage in a basement club which used by all.
So i always raise a brow when I see skin heads
I think you may be giving the builder to much credit for wood knowledge. I could also be missing some ancient wisdom here but the blank you had was pretty much perfectly quarter sawn with nice straight run-out down the length. Hard to beat that. Very cool banjo thingy though.
I had a look at some of his other banjos and he seems to be consistent with that. I don't want to bug him too much with questions.
twoodfrd, very interesting!
Id love you to do a goin over on mine, I made it the best I could but Im no expert
why not make the bridge out of bone? Very cool love the video's
That would be A LOT of work and would also change the tone quite a bit.
It might be worth experimenting with, for the owner, but Ted's gotta get paid for his work, so unless the experiment was signed-off on by the owner, there'd be no reason for Ted to try it!
Just in case it matters!
you should have save time and just adjusted the trust rod XD
Cool 😎
Would use a vertical grain Douglas fir be stronger in this application than the spruce?
Yes, but does it need to be strong? I mean, ideally you don't want it to flex too much and become concave, and I don't think that's going to happen with this triangle shape and nylon strings. How much rigidity is needed? Maybe it's trade-off with lightness.
@@twoodfrd I guess I meant to ask since the Doug Fir is stronger than the spruce, would it wear better than the spruce in this application?
looks like a japanese shamesan
Interesting
link to the Morin Khuur video please?
It predates my video making.
@@twoodfrd Ahh i see!! ..it looks like a beautiful instrument none the less!!
Just when you thought the banjo player couldn't play any more out of tune
GOOD and greasy!
Did you consider marking the bridge location on the skin for when the owner swaps bridges?
There are a couple of pencil marks on the head for reference.
Geesh, someone said the channel only gets their loot if the viewer watches the ad all the way thru and today was like paying a pound of flesh...
Guitar Mastery Blues Heat Map and Trump birthday card.
Please God kill me now
I've never managed to get a satisfactory answer to the question of how much of an ad has to play for it to "count". Thanks for taking one for the team!
Pokemon egg!!!
Would it have been possible to stain it in such a way it would resemble the other bridge?
It will darken over time.
"Unique Banjo Experience" sounds like a hipster band name from 7 years ago.
Looks like something you could use to smoke some pot.. :-)
What's a hootennanny without the hoot, right?