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Preparing the ebony fretboard

I dressed my fretboard a bit in preparation for cutting the fret slots.  I sanded the top surface with 400 grit sandpaper and trimmed the piece closer to the final dimensions on the table saw.  When the fretboard is complete and on the neck, it is tapered and...

Boring the hole for the dowel stick

The neck attaches to the rim by means of the dowel stick.  The dowel stick is glued to the heel of the neck where it meets the rim.  When the neck and rim are assembled, the dowel stick passes through a hole in the rim and crosses to the opposite side, where it is...

Cutting the radius on the neck

I decided one of the first things I should do, while the neck is still in its squared off shape, is cut the radius where it will attach to the rim.  Adapting some examples from Old-Time Banjocraft and the web, I made a jig to hold the neck at 3 degrees.   The neck is...
Some hardware

Some hardware

I ordered some of the parts I need from Stewart-MacDonald and they arrived yesterday.  The first photo is of the tone ring I chose.  The tone ring lies on the front edge of the rim under the head.  It is used to improve the sound over using the wooden rim alone....

Music while I think about the next steps

Here are some videos highlighting clawhammer style banjo playing. Steve Martin plays in two of these.  I guess it helps to have a sense of humor if you are going to play the banjo.  Mark Johnson in the second one is awesome.  Michael Neverisky in the third has a few...