[ebooks] Constructing a 5-String Banjo: A Complete Technical Guide by From Hal Leonard in Arts-Photography

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. KINDLE Edition ReviewBy New England YankeeConstructing a 5-String Banjo should be regarded as a technical reference primarily. It is not a mass-market. coffee-table. or even enthusiast book. though some of the last might be interested in the details. Nor is it really intended for a novice builder. You wont find the usual start-with-the-basics lists of tools required. materials to gather. and basic technique instruction. Nope - the author launches right into construction. He assumes a basic knowledge of tools and woodworking. and that you have certain tools (e.g.. a bandsaw) though he does mention lesser alternatives here and there - anyone up for cutting a truss rod channel with a Dremel?Much detail is devoted to neck construction and rim layup alternatives. Binding and decorative finishing is also well-covered. including inlay. Metal furniture get far less build attention (naturally).Pictures are ... OK. They work. but are a bit dark. at least in the Kindle edition. All pictures are BW. except the cover. There could be more. but are adequate for the purpose. Fortunately. they have enough detail to zoom in sufficiently. This was a particular concern when buying the Kindle edition. as the sample includes no pictures! The included technical drawings at the back of the book are crystal clear. There are sufficient measurements to scale them to full-size drawings in the case of the rim. That is not true of the neck. unfortunately. Measurements there are confined to scale (25 1/2") and fret spacing. You would have to figure the rest out yourself - or have a copy/print shop zoom the drawing to EXACTLY the right size based on the scale. Same with the head.There is enough here to build an excellent banjo from scratch (again. assuming purchase of metal parts). but only if you are knowledgeable and have some (preferably instrument) building experience and woodworking skills. Neck building. in particular. is going to be daunting for a novice. and involves both high precision and construction of smoothly flowing compound curves across angled parts.The Kindle Edition is recommended. with cautions above regarding the technical drawings.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Awesome book for building your banjo projectBy MikeAwesome book for building my banjo! Great reference material and very helpful and detailed nicely! Would advise anyone building a banjo this is a must have book!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Making stuffBy fretterThis has all the information you need to build a banjo.. The book met my needs..It showed several methods of construction. different materials that could be used and where to obtain the materials... I always enjoy reading how craftsman do their thing.... Makes me think I wasted my youth by not learning some woodworking skills...The books makes clear the steps but it also became clear to me that this is for someone with skills to truly make the banjo.. He mentions that components part are available though...So. I recommend it for folks who want to read about it but do not have the woodworking skills to do it.. I recommend it for those with skills... For me. Im going to buy my next banjo..