I have built eighteen travel banjos using this design since my humble beginning in 1996 and each one is an improvement over the last. The one thing I have learned is patience or at least an appreciation of it. When ever I get in a hurry I make a mistake that inevitably cost me time in the long run. The first time I did any real inlay work I used an old abalone shell. I cut out stars of varying size to use as marking dots. I put a large star on the third fret, a slightly smaller one of the fifth fret and so on. Things were going great. Each star took me about 3 hours work to cut out and inlay. After I got to the seventh fret I just continued on. The next star went in on the ninth fret. My wife and I were on our way shopping when I suddenly realized my mistake. I just got a sick feeling in my stomach. When we got home I checked the fret board and sure enough I got to start over. What a waste!!
Plan your moves and take you time. Check twice before you do any thing that involves a saw or drill. I can build one of these banjos in about 30 hours of work. That doesn't include the drying time for the glue or finish. It will usually take me three weeks from start to finish. I don't build these on a production line. I do then one at a time. Although when I set up to cut out the fret boards or slot them I will do several. I may also make a couple of tail pieces at one setting.Building a musical instrument should be interesting at least and fun at best. If you decide to build one and this web sight has helped in any way please let me know. Send along some pictures also. You can email me at Banjerbob1@yahoo.com
Banjo Bob's