[Irish]

Here's what I could get of a closer shotof the banjo.

Susan

[Irish]

Here's the thumb drum. It is also made using a kettle gourd as the barrel area. The face plate is 1/8", 5 ply birch plywood with black walnut bridges and trim. It's 7" high, 7 1/2" wide and about 6" deep at the widest point into the gourd.

As I said earlier, I don't play musical instruments but this thumb gourd is easy to pick and somehow came out with a beautifully deep tone "

Sorry about the shiny spots ... I have already finished the polyurethane coatings and I don't have enough experience with cameras to get around all the glossies!

Susan

[Mottles]

WOW, Susan just found your thread and all I can say it WOW. Beautiful detail on the drum and banjo I love musical instruments can't play a one! I've seen these gourd instruments in a gourding book. As I'm musically challenged probably couldn't play one even if I made it! LOL
I've always wanted a Native American flute but again chances of me being able to play it are well.....
Also wanted to mention how much I enjoyed your article in WCI. With the information in your article I actually when thought some of my photographs and chose an antique lantern to woodburn. Last night I sketched the lantern onto graph paper (my favorite sketching paper). I worked out some of the composition problems and today I plan to transfer my drawing to a 8" x 10" birch panel. Waiting for a shader I ordered to come in probably Friday so I can get started. I'll share my final work in the Pyrography forum good or bad. LOL.....
Thanks again for your 'Dimensional Woodburning article.'
Kathy

[Irish]

Hey Kathy,

Don't assume that because I did a gourd banjo that I can play music The truth is that I can't play a note and my son, who has a wonderful singing voice, shushes me when we are joining in with the car radio.

I had a blast doing that banjo. It was one of those fun puzzles to see if I could figure it out. I left it for quite a while trying to decide whether to add color or not ... decided that I like the sepia of the burning. So I finally added the polyurethane and then wax coating plus got it strung just last week. Both it and the thumb drum, plus one other thumb drum are off to Fox Chapel sometime in the next week or so.

Can't wait to see what you do with the birch plywood. Definitely my favorite wood.

Susan

[Ashbys]

Susan,

They are wonderful pieces! I am not sure how you attached the neck but looks great. And wow what dragons !

Ash

[Mottles]

Hi Susan: Well, maybe your son will learn to play the banjo--just think you already have one. lol


I have a good friend in Idaho who is very much like you--love a challenge of figureing out how to make things fit. Very creative the both of you.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Irish

Here's the thumb drum. It is also made using a kettle gourd as the barrel area. The face plate is 1/8", 5 ply birch plywood with black walnut bridges and trim. It's 7" high, 7 1/2" wide and about 6" deep at the widest point into the gourd.

As I said earlier, I don't play musical instruments but this thumb gourd is easy to pick and somehow came out with a beautifully deep tone "

Sorry about the shiny spots ... I have already finished the polyurethane coatings and I don't have enough experience with cameras to get around all the glossies!

Susan

Thats called a "Kalimba" Susan, and you did a terrific job...did you buy the metal in a kit or make it from scratch.....I have a small one, but nothing like that! Dave

[squbrigg]

Wow Susan! You just keep raising the bar all the time! That drum is beautiful. Played or not, it's a work of art!!! Well done.

Bob

[Irish]

Hi_Ho,

The company that I got the keys kit from is www.musicmakerskits.com They have everything that any musical instrument maker could dream of ... One day I am making me a dolicmer or lap harp from one of their kits. Maybe in about a kazillion years after I retire .

Music Makers has full kits, everything needed, to create finished instruments, hardware pieces you can get separately and even children's kits to make cardboard banjos.

The Kalimba is one of the many names ... Mbira, abuboyo, ambira, bamboli, biti, chiasanchi, diti, ikembi, jimba, marimbula, pokido, and zimba are all names for the linguaphone.

Ash,

The basswood neck has a cut and shaped tongue that goes inside the opening of the gourd. It was fitted to the inside profile so that I had plenty of glueing area to secure the two pieces. When I do the next one I will include a second tongue on the top side of this area. Then I can use a screw with a plug that would join the two pieces of neck wood with the gourd sandwiched between them. Perhaps a pretty scroll cut brass plate to cover the final joint.

There is a second overlap area on the face where the gourd, birch plywood facing and neck join. So the plywood slides into the rabbit joints on the neck and the plywood had a rabbit for the edge of the gourd. Sorry! Pictures would have been easier but I didn't think to take any while I was working ...

That's for the nice words everyone!

Susan

[Pyrographer]

Susan it is beautiful. I've often thought about doing some burning on one of Al's guitars but just haven't had the time. You've inspired me though!