Project Guinjo

[Wonks]

Just keep thinking about the bridge height. If you put a simple L-bracket on the edge of the rim, then the bridge will probably need to be at least 1cm higher than this to get a reasonable break angle. Add that to the height of the rim above the skin, and it's getting pretty tall.

Getting the string anchor point down as low as possible to the drum head removes the need for extra height just for break angle. You could do this with a more complicated bracket, but drilling holes would seem to be the simplest method and in keeping with the DIY ethos of the build.

Given the scale length of 20.25" (about 514mm), the neck's 12th fret body join and a 10" tom, it would seem the wooden centre block would need to be constructed to project the 12th fret about 3.5" away from edge of the drum shell in order to get the bridge at the fairly standard banjo position of 1/3 the way across the head from the tail end. Just sayin' loike.

[RichardT]

As I’m sure you’re aware, Drew, guinjo is Spanish for jujube, which is a Chinese red date. My partner Wendy uses them when she makes Chinese soups.

[Drew Stephenson]

Just keep thinking about the bridge height. If you put a simple L-bracket on the edge of the rim, then the bridge will probably need to be at least 1cm higher than this to get a reasonable break angle. Add that to the height of the rim above the skin, and it's getting pretty tall.

Getting the string anchor point down as low as possible to the drum head removes the need for extra height just for break angle. You could do this with a more complicated bracket, but drilling holes would seem to be the simplest method and in keeping with the DIY ethos of the build.

That's a very good point, one I hadn't considered.

Given the scale length of 20.25" (about 514mm), the neck's 12th fret body join and a 10" tom, it would seem the wooden centre block would need to be constructed to project the 12th fret about 3.5" away from edge of the drum shell in order to get the bridge at the fairly standard banjo position of 1/3 the way across the head from the tail end. Just sayin' loike.

Yep, that's part of the plan, possibly under-illustrated in the first diagram.

[Drew Stephenson]

As I’m sure you’re aware, Drew, guinjo is Spanish for jujube, which is a Chinese red date. My partner Wendy uses them when she makes Chinese soups.

I did not know this. I shall make sure the red theme is carried over into the build.

[RichardT]

As I’m sure you’re aware, Drew, guinjo is Spanish for jujube, which is a Chinese red date. My partner Wendy uses them when she makes Chinese soups.

I did not know this. I shall make sure the red theme is carried over into the build.

No, I wasn’t really expecting that you would! I didn’t know either until I searched for guinjo on Google.

[Drew Stephenson]

Cut down the drum, marked up the beginnings of the centre block, tidied up the neck a bit (including removing the end of the fretboard so that it will nestle up against the drum rim to avoid needing a stratospherically high bridge.

Work is being slowed a bit because I'm still struggling with a sprained thumb.

[Drew Stephenson]

Today has been all about the centre block, but I have made some significant progress with one of the most awkward bits of the job:

[Wonks]

Good work. I can’t see the nails at all!

[RichardT]

That’s looking really good!

[Sam Spoons]

Looking great Drew

[Folderol]

Looks rather strange, but in a nice way

[Martin Walker]

Wow - you really are enterprising and resourceful Drew!

[Drew Stephenson]

I'd hold fire on the congratulations until it actually works!

Still got the neck setting to do and that's where I'm going to have to step up the precision.

Also I'm planning on over-complicating the headstock...

[zenguitar]

I'm planning on over-complicating the headstock...

Excellent

Andy

[ManFromGlass]

You might consider some padding on that metal rim as it might not be too comfortable to rest an arm over, unless you’re into that sort of thing……
Not judging at. . . . . .

[Drew Stephenson]

I have thought about some kind of plate here.
But I haven't thought enough to figure out how to do it.

[Wonks]

You might consider some padding on that metal rim as it might not be too comfortable to rest an arm over, unless you’re into that sort of thing……
Not judging at. . . . . .

Just view it as penance for building such a banjo-like instrument. He should probably add spikes to the rim.

[ManFromGlass]

Heavy metal banjo? Great idea!
Perhaps with a resonator that big it will be LOUD !
We can only hope . . . . . . .

[Drew Stephenson]

Doesn't look like much, but there's been a lot of fine tuning to get to this stage.
Neck glued:

[Sam Spoons]

Here's something that might give you a bit of inspiration (or maybe not )

FWIW Duved is a superb guitarist in the Manouche style, He is achknowledged as having a very authentic sound, possibly the closest contemporary player in sound and style to Django himself. Definitely ot so sure about the banjo though

Sorry it's FB but I couldn't find the vid on YT.

https://www.facebook.com/denis.chang/vi ... 487061565/

[Drew Stephenson]

Enjoyed that Sam, good find!

[Sam Spoons]

I gave Duved and the fiddle player a lift from Manchester Airport to March Manouche Festival where he was playing a few years ago (I volunteered at the festival a few times). Slightly odd guy, Adrian the fiddler was lovely, Duved slept the whole journey... Great player though.

[Drew Stephenson]

First coat of colour (most of which will be sanded off) and starting on the unnecessarily complicated headstock:


Colour is more patchy than I was expecting so I might have to think about trying a solid colour. But that would require buying some paint and I'm trying to do this without spending money wherever possible.

[Wonks]

The words ‘glue spots’ spring to mind. You really needed to clean up better when gluing it all together.