Richard’s objective for this eight-day class is that each student build a complete 11″ five-string open-back banjo from rough lumber, including cherry, walnut, maple, and ebony. This is an ambitious undertaking-building an instrument from scratch-while learning about structure, technique, and maybe a little decoration if time permits. Students will use hand and power tools, along with jigs and fixtures, which is much more efficient than doing all the work freehand and will make completion realistic. To that end, Richard will pack a van full of his jigs, fixtures, materials, and specialized tooling, plus examples of his work in progress to make the process easier.

For efficiency, students will all make an instrument of the same general size and configuration and will need to work as a team to make the process faster. Peghead profiling and neck shaping will be by hand and will allow personal expression. Pearl inlay will be demonstrated, and those so inclined can use this on their instruments if time permits. Students will resaw and steam bend laminations for the 2-ply, 1/2” thick rims. Focus here will be on getting the highest-quality glue joints, which Richard believes contributes to tone. Students will glue up two-piece necks with a center stripe and reinforce them with a carbon fiber rod. Fingerboards will be prepared from ebony or ironwood blanks and slotted for frets using jigs. Necks will then be shaped with a variety of hand tools. A press will be used to install frets for expediency, but Richard will demonstrate hand-hammering frets as well.

There will not be enough time to do a complete finish, but Richard will aim for a wash coat of shellac or a coat of oil. Students will go home with an in-depth understanding of banjo design, construction, and materials, new hand and machine skills, and a very special instrument of their own. It will be lots of fun, maybe exhausting, but very satisfying.