Needing to learn more about banjos, I started searching the web for banjo construction, banjo playing and styles of banjos. The speed at which information can be gathered is amazing. In a few hours I developed a reasonable understanding of the direction I wanted to head in for the type of banjo I wanted to make and how it would be constructed, as well as finding out what style I preferred. (These 2 things, type of banjo and playing style are linked.) Here’s a summary of what I learned:
I enjoy the clawhammer style of playing most.
The tenor banjo is a 4 string banjo and is used in irish and jazz music.
I will be building a 5 string open back banjo. This banjo lends itself to the clawhammer style.
Banjos used in bluegrass music are 5 string banjos but use a resonator mounted behind the rim.
I am going to need some maple for the banjo neck and rim, and some ebony for the fretboard, peghead and for a contrasting strip in the neck.
There are a couple of ways to build the rim. I would like to build mine by steam bending maple strips.
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