Blank for Banjo neck, preferably maple and rawhide.

[jdulaney]

Hey, all, does anyone know where I could find some nice curly maple that would make a good blank for a banjo neck? I'm thinking something four foot long by three inches square. I'd prefer local to NC.

Also, anyone know where a smallish bit of rawhide (dear or cat) could be found for a banjo drum?

I've been given a nice gourd to start from.

Thanks much,
John.

 

[Mark Gottesman]

Want me to to save the next groundhog I find DOR?:rotflm: Very traditional material for head.

Or I could volunteer the neighbors cat. Wouldn't mind finding a new home for it. Especially when I find it's been using my garden for a litter box.:frown3qg: I would consider being turned into a music maker would be a vast improvement.

Seriously, if you have any local lumber suppliers, stop in and tell them what you are looking for. I have found they often have a stash of "pretty wood" squirreled away for just such a project.

Depending on where you are, several members in your area could probably seer you in the right direction.

Please post pictures of your project.

 

[Tarhead]

I've never built a Banjo but 48" is mighty long. Most long neck Banjos are 32" scale. You can make a neck out of 1" stock, splice in a headstock and a heel block if you can't find (or afford!) a piece of 3X3. http://notablewoods.com/index.html has some very nice 3A Fiddleback Bigleaf Maple at a reasonable prices. He should be able to whack you out a blank but you'll need to contact him as he doesn't list neck blanks on his site. Also http://rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store/ can get about anything and are great people to do business with.

Oh....Mark I need some guitar strings if you repurpose your neighbor's cat.:rotflm:

 

[jdulaney]

Thanks y'all for the cat offers

The reason for the extra stock length is to go through the gourd.

 

[SGalley]

http://dwaynesthisandthat.org/mtnbanjoplans.htm

 

[CrealBilly]

If you find some reasonable priced seasoned and kiln dried 3x3x48" hard maple heartwood neck blanks please let me know.

Thanks