We've filmed three videos of that process: ua-cam.com/video/NODGJ0MfelI/v-deo.html ... and: ua-cam.com/video/_tM29vf6rXo/v-deo.html ... and: ua-cam.com/video/iAMfKGB2e0Q/v-deo.html
Curious that you mention gourd canteens. Here in Portugal we isolate them by covering them in clay and then make 2 clamps so you can tie a rope on both ends and carry it on your shoulder.
If your worried about the chemicals in that shellac finish you should try making your own shellac solution which is just raw shellac dissolved in alcohol, nothing more. Shellac is actually the secretion of the Lac beetle which is collected and refined though I guess that some beetles probably die in the collection process. Not vegan I guess but it's a "natural" finish unlike more modern solvent-based varnishes. So no petrochemicals or toxic vapors to worry about. I love your channel btw!
Just found this. Valuable information, thank you. Although I'm not building a banjo per se, I am, nevertheless, researching the construction of an instrument which traditionally uses a gourd as the resonating body.
To be more specific, I am researching the construction of sitar and tanpura, both of which use a giant cultivar of bottle gourd for the body of the instrument.
I just bought several banjo necks in an auction. Some are basically blanks other with fretboard mounted and a couple are old salvaged ones. I’d like to make gourd banjos. Do you offer any courses live on basic banjo building?
Looking good! Is that angle of the neck hole critical? I notice there is an angle to this one, and I was wondering what kind of calculations you made to arrive at that, and how you were able to set up the cut to whatever position you determined for it. I'm getting ready to order my gourd(s), and the only part of this deal that I'm still a little fuzzy on is the business of getting your neck angle correct. I'm going to be using a gourd similar to what you have here, so I will be careful to make that first cut down close to the neck of the gourd as you advised. (Thank you for that! Potential disaster averted.)
I think I angled that hole for some reason, but no it's not critical. The way I build these, I am able to set the neck any way I want to. Only thing that matters is the diameter of the hole.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo The hole diameter is kind of an unknown, bc before you cut it, you don’t know how thick the gourd is at that point, so I’m assuming you cut where the outside diameter of the gourd looks big enough to accommodate the neck, and if it’s too loose bc the gourd is thinner than expected, then you use shims, I’m guessing. Anyway, I’m buying three gourds, bc I’m planning on some on the job training, ie, screwing up😏.
LOVE your site...everything about it. I've played folk/traditional guitar for a long time. Just now trying hard to develop an authentic RIGHT HAND technique. It's been slow...but I'm really excited about what your site has taught me. TX, As soon as I can...wanna trying to build a gourd banjo. Could you spend some time showing how to build the FRETBOARD? THAT would be the hard part for me...since I'm not much of a carpenter...and I'd be using only rudimentary tools--In a wheelchair, too. Also...wondered if you'd every considered a SIX STRING model--.a gourdjo? Glad to find you. Thanks for everything. I'm planning to offer some modest support for your projects in the near future. IXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIX.
Hello Clifton and thank you for your music and knowledge.I studied lutherie here in Paris (France) , did a couple of tenor guitares , other fancy instruments and now it’s time for a fretless gourd banjo. I would like to know if you can tell me where I can find scales lengh and their associated tones. Hope my english is good enough. Merci Matthieu
I've never worried too much about scale when building a fretless banjo. Eyeball it so your scale is about 26" or 27" inches and you'll be good. If the scale is over 28" the banjo will be less comfortable to play. If shorter than 25" it won't sound as pretty.
And great idea with the sandpaper on marble. I had a perfect piece of granite that I used to use for that, but it's now rocked in under my wood stove. Plywood is all I have now. Anyhow, so all my lines on these things are pretty "eyeballed."
My phone left out the word angle haha "neck angle" was what I meant to ask. But loving these vids. It's really cool to see how other folks solve the same problems.
@@ionz149 I'll always angle the neck back a degree or two if I can. It's been impossible so far to impart neck angle on these banjos where the neck goes through the gourd stem.
If you want to have some more options with your shellac (color and cut) you can look at dry flakes, toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/MS-TF.XX/BT%26amp%3BC+Tiger+Flakes+Shellac. You just dissolve it in alcohol(methanol or ethanol).
Shellac is a traditional finish used on gourds. I allow each coat to dry, before hand polishing and applying consecutive coats of shellac. You can also seal the gourd with warmed beeswax.
I would really like to purchase a gourd banjo from you Clifton. Waiting on a mountain banjo at the moment from another fella.But what the hell why not. Are you still making / selling banjos?
I have a gourd with a side that's pretty flat and a side that sticks out more prominently which side would be better to saw off to make the sound table ?
How do you make the neck for the banjos?
We've filmed three videos of that process: ua-cam.com/video/NODGJ0MfelI/v-deo.html
... and: ua-cam.com/video/_tM29vf6rXo/v-deo.html
... and: ua-cam.com/video/iAMfKGB2e0Q/v-deo.html
Thanks
Liked the playing I've seen. Thank you to explaining how you make your instruments.
So excited for the rest of the episodes! I recently made my own canjo and am looking to improve my craftsmanship!
Like the shout out to Jeff Menzies. I have 3 of his including an akonting. I have built one gourd 5 string. Hicks is the man.
I am so glad you exist! Love your music, your craft, your spirit!
Curious that you mention gourd canteens. Here in Portugal we isolate them by covering them in clay and then make 2 clamps so you can tie a rope on both ends and carry it on your shoulder.
If your worried about the chemicals in that shellac finish you should try making your own shellac solution which is just raw shellac dissolved in alcohol, nothing more. Shellac is actually the secretion of the Lac beetle which is collected and refined though I guess that some beetles probably die in the collection process. Not vegan I guess but it's a "natural" finish unlike more modern solvent-based varnishes. So no petrochemicals or toxic vapors to worry about. I love your channel btw!
Thanks for the info, Brendon.
Very interesting, thanks. I really need to get a bigger place so I can have a workshop or shed.
Yessss! Our place came with two bedrooms and this one eventually became my banjo/tool pile.
Thank Mr.Clifton 🤠👌🏽
Just found this. Valuable information, thank you. Although I'm not building a banjo per se, I am, nevertheless, researching the construction of an instrument which traditionally uses a gourd as the resonating body.
To be more specific, I am researching the construction of sitar and tanpura, both of which use a giant cultivar of bottle gourd for the body of the instrument.
I'd bet you could take a gourd and just make a rough cut and use a driveway as sandpaper to make a relatively flat surface.
Thank you this was very helpful
I really need to go to sleep but man youtube knows how to keep me here
Life lesson: Don't be deterred if you see a lot of bug holes in your gourd!
We all get bug holes in our gourd from time to time
What kind of gourd is this, and can you divulge a supplier, please?
Thanks!
That's called a martin gourd. I bought this one at a touristy gourd dealer near my home. It's easier to buy them than grow them.
Clifton have You ever made a 4 string Tenor Banjo ?
fretless banjo
I just bought several banjo necks in an auction. Some are basically blanks other with fretboard mounted and a couple are old salvaged ones. I’d like to make gourd banjos. Do you offer any courses live on basic banjo building?
Looking good! Is that angle of the neck hole critical? I notice there is an angle to this one, and I was wondering what kind of calculations you made to arrive at that, and how you were able to set up the cut to whatever position you determined for it. I'm getting ready to order my gourd(s), and the only part of this deal that I'm still a little fuzzy on is the business of getting your neck angle correct. I'm going to be using a gourd similar to what you have here, so I will be careful to make that first cut down close to the neck of the gourd as you advised. (Thank you for that! Potential disaster averted.)
I think I angled that hole for some reason, but no it's not critical. The way I build these, I am able to set the neck any way I want to. Only thing that matters is the diameter of the hole.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo The hole diameter is kind of an unknown, bc before you cut it, you don’t know how thick the gourd is at that point, so I’m assuming you cut where the outside diameter of the gourd looks big enough to accommodate the neck, and if it’s too loose bc the gourd is thinner than expected, then you use shims, I’m guessing. Anyway, I’m buying three gourds, bc I’m planning on some on the job training, ie, screwing up😏.
how large do gourds have to be i want to make my first gourd banjo.
do you grow your own gourds for these?
LOVE your site...everything about it. I've played folk/traditional guitar for a long time. Just now trying hard to develop an authentic RIGHT HAND technique. It's been slow...but I'm really excited about what your site has taught me. TX, As soon as I can...wanna trying to build a gourd banjo. Could you spend some time showing how to build the FRETBOARD? THAT would be the hard part for me...since I'm not much of a carpenter...and I'd be using only rudimentary tools--In a wheelchair, too. Also...wondered if you'd every considered a SIX STRING model--.a gourdjo? Glad to find you. Thanks for everything. I'm planning to offer some modest support for your projects in the near future. IXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIXIX.
Hello Clifton and thank you for your music and knowledge.I studied lutherie here in Paris (France) , did a couple of tenor guitares , other fancy instruments and now it’s time for a fretless gourd banjo. I would like to know if you can tell me where I can find scales lengh and their associated tones. Hope my english is good enough.
Merci
Matthieu
I've never worried too much about scale when building a fretless banjo. Eyeball it so your scale is about 26" or 27" inches and you'll be good. If the scale is over 28" the banjo will be less comfortable to play. If shorter than 25" it won't sound as pretty.
Clifton Hicks
Thank you it’s exactly what I needed to know .
Have à nice day.
Thanks man Very interesting
How do you tune a reentrant four string?
Use regular banjo tunings, but ignore the 4th string: gGBD, gGCD, f♯F♯AD, and so forth.
How do you dry it out? I had dried pumpkins once but forgot how
Hang it on the porch out of the sun until spring.
Do you actually give these things a neck angle? My belt sander is a marble slab with sanding belt glued to it 😂
Yes sir, the neck is basically done and laying on the table behind me there. See parts 2, 3, 4... to come on this thing.
And great idea with the sandpaper on marble. I had a perfect piece of granite that I used to use for that, but it's now rocked in under my wood stove. Plywood is all I have now. Anyhow, so all my lines on these things are pretty "eyeballed."
My phone left out the word angle haha "neck angle" was what I meant to ask. But loving these vids. It's really cool to see how other folks solve the same problems.
@@ionz149 I'll always angle the neck back a degree or two if I can. It's been impossible so far to impart neck angle on these banjos where the neck goes through the gourd stem.
How long does it take to dry the gourd before you work with it?
I let them dry at least over winter. When the seeds rattle inside and it sounds like a maraca it's about ready.
If you want to have some more options with your shellac (color and cut) you can look at dry flakes, toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/MS-TF.XX/BT%26amp%3BC+Tiger+Flakes+Shellac. You just dissolve it in alcohol(methanol or ethanol).
how do you preserve the gourd
Shellac is a traditional finish used on gourds. I allow each coat to dry, before hand polishing and applying consecutive coats of shellac. You can also seal the gourd with warmed beeswax.
I made a violin out of a banana. I am working on making a concert organ out of a watermelon now!!
I would really like to purchase a gourd banjo from you Clifton. Waiting on a mountain banjo at the moment from another fella.But what the hell why not. Are you still making / selling banjos?
I have a gourd with a side that's pretty flat and a side that sticks out more prominently which side would be better to saw off to make the sound table ?
Best to saw off the proud side so that the flat side rests against your body when playing.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo thank you !