The Luthier Community

I have had a piece of Claro walnut for around 5 years and just got around to using some of it. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of wood I have had the opportunity to work with. Decided to make a second quiet banjo out of this wood. Pleased with the outcome. http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...

Thanks Terry and welcome. Brian, as you suspect the joint is under the plate-- sorry-it really isn't clear from the photos. Took a look at the Sloan banjo--same concept but that one would make noise. I suppose I could put a piezo pickup on mine if I really wanted some sound...maybe at some point. Mike

After a nearly 35 year hiatus due to a sonic allergy, I have begun to play banjo again. The impetus was hearing Tony Ellis and his wonderful melodic tunes. It is very strange to see how and what comes back. First were chord forms to my surprise. Anyway I still have an aversion to the loudness of the...

I think I mentioned earlier that I was making two mandolins so here is some catchup with number two. Made a softwood caul to help attach the fingerboard. It is pictured in the lower portion of the photo. I have a heat lamp out because my shop is a bit cold and this is the other part of the build whe...

This is a fantastic build. Love the concept. The suspense on the fretboard is working on my brain. Maybe the fretwire will "reinforce" the defects and no fill will be necessary?

MikeZ

Thanks guys for the feedback. Steve, I think the joints are pretty good but I had the same concerns. Lots of seams to open up! Here is my setup for scraping binding after staining. Gloves so I don't screw up the stain. I use a burnisher to turn an edge onto a single edge razor blade. I then use a di...

Although this is a "copy" of an A series, I don't think I could really copy something if I tried. So here is the volute area of the neck being carved. Wanted to leave a sculptural feel to the area without being too obvious. So took my Flex-cut and rasp and had at it and ended up with a pre...

Here is a sequence of carving the back. Have not seen the angle grinder with 80 grit wheel mentioned as a tool but it sure beats finger planes or gouges for initial carving. I then switch to ibex finger planes for final shaping and an orbital sander for finishing all but the recurve. After rough car...