@@kylewood4852 thanks! yeah love the way it sounds on these in the higher register. I've been buying medium thickness skins off a site called Hawkdancing Studio, but I recently realized they're just reselling the cheap ones from Pakistan so I'm trying to find a new source. I think I'll try to get some from Jeff Menzies soon, they're a bit pricy but are so nice. A friend of mine recently reached out to Jeff Menzies about it and he specifically said to steer clear of the Pakistani skins so now I'm really trying to find a good alternative
@@bengreco Right on thanks for letting me know. I've used a few from Pakistan and I did not know that. I put one of Jeff's hides on my Vega tubaphone and no regrets! But you definitely get what you pay for.
@@kylewood4852 yeah really love the look of those hides, especially the spotted ones. I've honestly had really good luck with the cheaper Pakistani skins, but ever since I heard that I've been second guessing haha
it varies a bit for every banjo I've made, but generally it's not something you have to worry too much about. We had 80% humidity during the morning here last week, and that caused some pretty noticeable sagging on some of my instruments, but they bounced back by afternoon. I ship banjos with two bridges, one taller than the other, so if the head sags in high humidity, you just swap in the taller bridge and you're good to go. It's also good practice to store the banjo with the bridge down when not in use for longer periods of time.
Hey, curious if I could get your opinion on something… Do you suppose there’s any value in a 3-stringed banjo? I typically make instruments that are inspired by morin khuur, erhu, rebab and lyras. Sometimes I only use two strings, which can be very cool for playing with a bow. But often I’ll use 3 and might look into doing some with 4. But 5 is a stretch for me. Some of my instruments already have a banjo-esque tone when plucked and I want to lean into that a bit. Anyway, the point of this was just to ask if you thought any banjo players would be happy with 3 strings. Thanks and keep up the awesome work!
hey, yeah actually early banjos and akontings would only have 3 or 4 strings, the low 4th string didn't come around until later, so I've seen a lot of gourd banjos with only 3 strings, plus the 4th drone string. The drone string would probably get in the way playing with a bow, but I haven't tried so I'm not sure. I checked out your videos, really cool instruments with a great sound. It reminds me of a scandanavian tagelharpa, which I really want to build and learn to play. Also, a Japanese shamisen has an animal hide head and 3 strings, but it's played with a pick. I'd say go for it, it would probably sound amazing
I think the shot was worth the risk - it was gorgeous to see the instruments swinging over the creek as you played! Also love how candid you are 😄
haha yeah I didn't say in the video but the first one I tied up fell off immediately, luckily I caught it and tied a stronger knot
Just a pickin and a grinnin ! Nice sound ! Thanks for the share. :O)
Beautiful banjos and scenery. Much appreciated
Ahhh, so nice! I just want a whole gourd orchestra. That was an eye catching thumbnail too! Great playing!
thanks! been really thinking about a gourd guitar and gourd bass recently
You've got the Power!
Very neat. I wish I could make instruments!! The wife is very happy I do not!! Lol :)
Brilliant as ever brother! Beautiful creations too!🪕
thanks!
thanks for your content and advice on building gourd banjos! it has been very helpful to me, keep doing what you’re doing.
thanks! I've got some good build vids planned, just gotta get around to it
Oh heck yea, love the sound of that first one especially!
thanks! yeah I can't stop playing these, love how they sound
Damn, you've been busy. Excellent work as always Ben! I love your grandfathers clock.
Do you get your skins from Jeff Menzies?
@@kylewood4852 thanks! yeah love the way it sounds on these in the higher register. I've been buying medium thickness skins off a site called Hawkdancing Studio, but I recently realized they're just reselling the cheap ones from Pakistan so I'm trying to find a new source. I think I'll try to get some from Jeff Menzies soon, they're a bit pricy but are so nice. A friend of mine recently reached out to Jeff Menzies about it and he specifically said to steer clear of the Pakistani skins so now I'm really trying to find a good alternative
@@bengreco Right on thanks for letting me know. I've used a few from Pakistan and I did not know that. I put one of Jeff's hides on my Vega tubaphone and no regrets! But you definitely get what you pay for.
@@kylewood4852 yeah really love the look of those hides, especially the spotted ones. I've honestly had really good luck with the cheaper Pakistani skins, but ever since I heard that I've been second guessing haha
This is really something
thanks joey
That Mallard was keeping an eye on the banjos.
haha yeah he looked lost, was just hanging out there the entire time
river rack for the winnnn yea bwoiiiii
fretted!!
yeah, happy to take a long break from fret work after that build lol
what kind of impact do changes in humidity have an gourd banjos? when travelling that is
it varies a bit for every banjo I've made, but generally it's not something you have to worry too much about. We had 80% humidity during the morning here last week, and that caused some pretty noticeable sagging on some of my instruments, but they bounced back by afternoon. I ship banjos with two bridges, one taller than the other, so if the head sags in high humidity, you just swap in the taller bridge and you're good to go. It's also good practice to store the banjo with the bridge down when not in use for longer periods of time.
@@bengreco thank you for the insight. nice playing & nice builds
Holy smokes
They sound great and look fabulous. Did you ever try fluorocarbon strings on your banjos?
thanks! haven't yet, I'll have to give that a try. I've only really used nylgut
Those are some beautiful gourd banjos. Ive been wanting to build my own for a while now, but dont know where to find any gourds in canada.
thanks! lots of gourd farms ship, check out Wuertz Gourd Farm, I've heard good things about them
Will do!@bengreco
proud (soon to be) new owner of the dark skin banjo and light skin uke xo
Hey, curious if I could get your opinion on something… Do you suppose there’s any value in a 3-stringed banjo? I typically make instruments that are inspired by morin khuur, erhu, rebab and lyras. Sometimes I only use two strings, which can be very cool for playing with a bow. But often I’ll use 3 and might look into doing some with 4. But 5 is a stretch for me. Some of my instruments already have a banjo-esque tone when plucked and I want to lean into that a bit. Anyway, the point of this was just to ask if you thought any banjo players would be happy with 3 strings. Thanks and keep up the awesome work!
hey, yeah actually early banjos and akontings would only have 3 or 4 strings, the low 4th string didn't come around until later, so I've seen a lot of gourd banjos with only 3 strings, plus the 4th drone string. The drone string would probably get in the way playing with a bow, but I haven't tried so I'm not sure. I checked out your videos, really cool instruments with a great sound. It reminds me of a scandanavian tagelharpa, which I really want to build and learn to play. Also, a Japanese shamisen has an animal hide head and 3 strings, but it's played with a pick. I'd say go for it, it would probably sound amazing
Awesome!
What diameter are the heads on those?
thanks! the banjo heads are both around 7" rim to rim, the ukes are smaller, probably 6" or less
These sound so good. where do you get the gourds?