I’m down to the fine work on the neck I’m building for the new oil can banjo. Once the shaping is just right and the sanding is done, the next step is to make and glue in the nut (I’m using a piece of ebony) and then drill and ream the holes for the tuning pegs. I’m going to do a couple practice holes on piece of scrap wood first because this is the first time I’ve tried fitting pegs.

I haven’t decided if I’m going to make a bridge for this one or use a commercially made bridge. Eventually, I’ll make all my bridges, and I have some good stock to make a few from, but I also have 3 suitable bridges I bought on ebay a while back, so I may use those first. The fingerboard is fretless on this banjo, like most gourd banjos and early banjos.

The last item to make will be the tailpiece. I’m going to use a kitchen fork, as I did for the first one. It works well, looks fine and it’s a conversation piece too.

The new oil can banjo neck

Both the fingerboard and the heel are bloodwood.