Building the Kentucky Mountain Banjo

Banjo Heritage 👉 / cliftonhicks
How to build a traditional Kentucky-style mountain banjo with hexagonal sound chamber, full spike neck, and goat skin head.
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#CliftonHicks #BanjoHeritage #OldLeatherstocking #banjo #oldtimemusic #bluegrass #folkmusic #countrymusic #blues #tradmusic #worldmusic #afrobeat #rootsmusic #appalachia #americana #clawhammerbanjo #oldtimebanjo #luthier

[@NoahCline]

Great video! I don’t think I’ve seen anyone demonstrate how to attach the head in this manner, but it makes sense now. No hand-stretching, just natural stretching as the head dries. I’ve had a banjo in my possession for a short time to work on it that had the head tacked directly to the top, having a hole cut out in the center. The skin was tacked on with two rows of tacks, and just about covered the whole top. The top itself was slightly domed. The rest of the construction was similar to the Hicks/Glenn/Proffitt type. As far as I know it was made by someone from around Weyers Cave, Va.

[@anilin6353]

Would it be possible for you to explain the carving of the neck ?

[@NickleJ]

That really was a sick rip

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Thanks, I was proud of it.

[@trustoldpaths1415]

As a woodworker, I was truly impressed.

[@JacobvsRex]

Super neat way of doing the head

[@puttsky7]

I have the same book “back to basics” from readers digest. Great book!

[@peterjames2580]

As a mandolin maker, people give me old unusual instruments, I received a Kentucky mountain banjo from a family estate 15 years and had no idea what it was? Thanks so much for doing this!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Peter, I beg you to send photos of that banjo to me at [e-mail]

[@seancline8130]

That was impressive the way you ripped that board in half perfectly

[@NoahCline]

I agree. Been there, done that. Takes a while, but it works.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Just bought a brand new rip saw.

[@JacobvsRex]

Holy smokes driving pins in that thin oak ring made me pucker up....

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I pre-drilled each hole. The thin oak was never in any danger!

[@milemarker_oscar_mike]

Something that stuck out and rang clear to me thoughout the video was that the brand, type and quality of the glue used is likely pretty critical to building a durable banjo. Something so satisfying about watching the natural goat hide being trimmed away to reveal the finished product ! 👍👍

[@e-ric3177]

Dang clif I aint been so fired up from a banjo song in a while! That rendition of black annie was something else! Mountain banjo's lookin great as well.

[@scottedelen5325]

Yes! That version of Black Annie is over the top awesome. I'm pretty sure that is you, Clif, but I'm not positive. Is it?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

@@scottedelen5325 Thanks. Yeah, that is 19 or 20 year-old Clif trying to channel Dink Roberts.

[@63Bare]

I absolutely love "Black Annie". I listen to it over and over, can't get enough!!

[@BillBard]

Well, now I got to build one as soon as I finish my coffee table! Thanks for this video!

[@scottedelen5325]

Hey Clif This is a really great "instructional video"! Really good production quality and quite entertaining.

[@JacobvsRex]

Ohhh that re-sawing....now that's what I'm taking about

[@joshuawallerful]

that back to basics book you used for weight is one of my favorites. I have the same one.

[@scottniblock4045]

Hi Josh ,,,I saw the book too ,can you tell me the author,,looks like a good book

[@woodwoman9130]

I might have to make one too!

[@earthwoolandfire9715]

Very nice work!! Also, I received, as a gift, that Back to Basics book in the mid '80s and still thumb through it. It is a cherished item to me.

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

I love this ! I've built a couple of CBG' s and many diddley bows but never any kind of banjo. I'm so tempted to give this a go . Great work my friend

[@xrekcor]

Might look at building one of these outa Aussie hardwood. Thanks for sharing

[@momule1969]

O. M. G. !!! I grew up with my nose buried in that "Back To Basics" book! 🙂 (Same with "Foxfire 1-2-&3" boxed set!)

[@thomasd9237]

👍👍 that is gorgeous my friend. Nice job .!. Primarily I'm a Tele player but I've just started my journey into CBG's & mountain style customs. Hope one day to teach your skill level 👍👍 ☺️

[@kevinsnyder4425]

Such a great video !! I can't imagine building one of those back in the day, all by hand ! Thanks for taking the time to show us how it's done.!

[@emilbecker8970]

Thats awesome, i know what im doing this summer.

[@cheyennemeddersmusic4609]

Love the Back to Basics book!

[@lachlannmullin]

Congrats on 40k, good to see banjo history and music getting more attention

[@juanziegler1471]

Guitar player since 1985 , this is something Im wanting to learn , been working on resonator guitar but really glad I found your channel ,THank you ,

[@thatmckenzie]

Back to Basics was such a great book.

[@BigSkyForester]

Incredible work sir! Thank you for everything you do! Keeping history alive here. You're a great teacher and I've been watching for a while now, I love American history and banjo heritage. Your videos inspired me to finally build my own fretless banjo! Almost done and I've learned a ton. Like how hard it is to make a round drum from scratch with hand tools! Took plenty of pictures if you have a discord or something. I have plenty of questions for you but for the nylgut strings medium gauge... What tuning do you use. I know it's relative tuned down but where are some of the good ole tunings at? Thanks again!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I demonstrate tuning by ear through most of the traditional tunings I know here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHSocoCre79_mpI and here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHSocoCre79_mpI

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

PS We do have a discord, but haven't used it: discord.gg/88uTBKkN

[@Timothydlol]

What do you play during the photo montage at the end? It rules

[@farnorthpicker56]

Really enjoyed watching this!

[@martyransford9650]

Nice rip cut, very clean. Did you do that with a rip saw? Please post the make and model of the saw if so.

[@mikegiammarise7861]

Steady hand brand

[@bobroberts4294]

Terrific - people will be following this video for many years into the future! Two questions - did you use glue blocks for the nails front and back? Shape and size of sound hole in back? Really interested in hearing how this handsome banjo sounds. True craftsmanship - Thanks for letting us watch!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I did not clamp the hickory pins in after hammering--just let everything dry in the vice. And there are only the two small sound holes in the front--the back is solid oak. Some of the original Kentucky banjos I've examined have round, square, or heart-shaped sound holes in the back, but many of the backs are solid. In the latter case, sound holes were either not used at all, or they are cut into the top and/or sides. Most common sound hole is just a drilled hole 3/8" - 5/8" diameter for top/side holes; larger diameter for back holes.

[@bobroberts4294]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Ah, now I see - the two sound holes look like nail heads which I was predisposed to believe you would be using. Thanks for settling me straight. Is oak, red or white, your go to choice for body wood?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I think red oak is vastly superior to white oak for sound chamber material. Red oak is so different from the other oaks; for example, you can literally blow air, with your mouth, from one end of a 6-foot red oak board through to the other end. This means that hollow fibers must run the full length of the red oak board--I know of no other wood with this quality. No wood I have used sounds richer than red oak.

[@bobroberts4294]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Thanks, a valuable piece of information to have.

[@toadeepants]

Hey Clifton, great vid! Love the banjo and jaw-harp too!

[@Paul-io6cb]

That is just wonderful to watch. Your a talented person. Glad I came across your channel.

[@robertmills538]

Hawthorne or pyracantha thorns for pins😁👍

[@mikespencer2948]

Love you're videos! Great work

[@larrybreuer4495]

Well done! 👍👍❤️

[@germanshepherdodin4069]

Thank you for sharing the ways of yore.+)

[@scottivy5925]

you sign it ill buy it.nice

[@billyaitken7461]

Love your stuff, it stands out…..a sound all your own 🪕😍👍. Have you seen the Tahitian ukulele / banjo build videos? There’s some similarities 🤔👍. Great video 😎👍

[@arlie505]

awesome !

[@coldshoemedia4463]

This was worth the watch. I want to make one now. How do you like the sound?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Thanks. Sounds great. Video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqvSnqiJjqqKa8U

[@grugrock7442]

Could you please do tutorial on this version of Black Annie?

[@billhalstrick28]

Great build video! How do you prepare the hide before gluing it on? Does it need to get glued on wet/damp so it gets more taut as it dries after being glued in place?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yes, needs to be soaked for 30 mins- an hour, then rolled into a dry rag so that excess water is absorbed. When laid to the glue, it should be water-logged but not dripping at all; i.e. damp.

[@johanschmidt1056]

Is there a longer version of that recording of black annie available anywhere? I've tried to look it up, but have only found it here. I find myself rewatching just to hear that song at the end.

[@AbsintheOnYT]

Is the skin itself wet when you glue it down? Is that what provides the tension?

[@samletourneau4423]

Hey Clifton! I'm just about done with my mountain banjo build, I just gotta put the skin on. Did you soak the skin before you glued it? If so, do you glue it on while it's wet? Thanks in advance! Love your channel, there's none other like it

[@murraysmusic5121]

damn, very impressive!! would you consider making an acoustic guitar for a next project? love your content bud

[@fresh224ful]

Clifton, You MUST tell me the tuning for Black Annie. I've been trying to figure it out for a few days now!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I learned that version of "Black Annie" from a recording of Dink Roberts. I am sure I was tuned either f#DF#AD or f#DGAD. Most others, however, play "Black Annie" gDGBD using the same melody as John Jackson used for "Going Up North" (Can't Get No Letter From My Home): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p32yaZiolq6Wedk

[@Curdog49]

I havnt heard one with much volume unless it was miked . I mean at least like a tack head or so. But never been around one to play guitar or fiddle with. Can they get decent volume out of a well made one?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

The North Carolina-Tennessee style utilized a sort of sheet metal tone ring to mount the head inside the sound chamber. When well-made those can be quite loud.

[@mooflaghero1]

What do you normally tunE your banjos to? Could you do a tenor banjo tuning with a build like this? With tenor adjustments of course.

[@ephemerics]

Was the hide wet when you placed it?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

No. Since it's flat, you just tack it on dry. Use some Elmer's glue to help it along.

[@philipsemke4489]

How do you set neck angle?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Banjos were _not_ made with angled necks until the 1920s. Prior to that, virtually all banjos had flat-planed necks set at 90-degrees to the rim. Plain & simple.

[@thoreaukilbourne3911]

What’s the purpose of the wooden ring you put over the skin? It it required for the banjo to work?

[@bryandovbergman5654]

That's really cool. But how do you change the head? Plus I'm no luthier, but I would think the thick sound boards and lack of sound hole, would reduce the acoustic quality

[@bobanderson7313]

Wonderful job. I noticed you wiped some glue from your finger on the underside of your bench. Weren't you wearing trousers?

[@stanwest3529]

If the sides (as you stated) were of different lengths then the angle of 60degrees (as you stated)would not be correct for all the side pieces

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Math is not my strong suit. Somehow that banjo turned out nicely. It did develop a crack in the soundtable after a while, but I think the owner was able to easily fill it.

[@clawhammer704]

Can u provide the length of one side of the hexagon? I might try my hand at one.

[@joshualahmann1369]

How is the neck attached to the pot in order to keep it from spinning around the dowel?

[@JohnyG29]

Very useful thanks!! What's the tuning on that Black Annie song at the end? I want to try and work it out.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I don't remember what tuning I used. Probably f♯DGAD or f♯DF♯AD. Source recording: smithsonianfolkways.bandcamp.com/track/black-annie

[@thecommongoodtube]

Hey, I’ll never be mistaken for Mr. Hicks, but I use gCGCC

[@robinhodo]

what's the music at the very start?

[@clawhammer704]

What angle did you cut the heel to get the right fall away? I'm thinking maybe 2 degrees.

[@georgepalchikov7176]

I really want to make a banjo, but I don't have any experience working with lether, so this part kinda scares me away.

[@blainechappell5383]

Is that you playing the mouth harp? My wife really wants to learn to play one of those

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yes, that's an old recording from early 2000s.

[@christiannorris7673]

Is the front and back from plywood or 1 solid piece ?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Solid oak.

[@LoneRevD]

Very cool, so are the top and back cut from a 4/4 board? Thanks for sharing!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

That oak board was about 11" wide X 3/4" thick. After ripped, the two boards created are approximately 1/4" thick.

[@LoneRevD]

Thanks Clifton appreciate ya!

[@jakelanningiscool]

Please post or send me this version of black Annie PLEASE haha 😓

[@DemetrisIacovides]

I have recently built a banjo with a wooden rim 27 inch scale and an 11 inch head. I dont really like the way it sounds. I suspect that it could be the lack of a tone ring. Idk. Tell me some ideas mr. Hicks

[@DemetrisIacovides]

Also. I would like to know if you have the good will, some other things you could use as a head. Please. I would be grateful. Have a nice day sir

[@pollydoom5039]

Do you sell the Banjos you make? I’d like to have one.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Paul, I do sell them, but only complete a few each year.

[@scottivy5925]

sow em how its done .

[@usyagi3746]

What's the name of the song that starts playing at 11:37? It's on the tip of my tongue, but I can't remember it.

[@noname-vp6vf]

How do you change the head on this kind of banjo? Love your content.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Tap the wooden ring off with the flat side of a sharp chisel, clean off any glue, etc. Then glue the new hide and ring on. Once dry, drive wooden pins or metal tacks into the ring for added security, trim any excess hide, and you're done.

[@noname-vp6vf]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Thank you for the reply. I'm planning on building a mt. banjo and the kentucky style "seems" easier to build than the regular north carolina ones, i hope it goes well.

[@kajchannelm2867]

How long were the side pannels

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

As long as you want them to be. These were 4 or 5 inches.

[@kajchannelm2867]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo thankyou

[@mikegager]

How do you know where to drill holes for the dowel to get the neck angle right?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Zero neck angle on these (or on any pre-1920 banjo).

[@mikegager]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo oh ok so just straight through? That makes it easy

[@scottivy5925]

if you cuold find it in your heart.please sign it. 12000. firm.

[@woodwoman9130]

Are the dimensions on your patreon

[@rieblox11]

I am a banjo player as well and I've always dreamed about making my own banjo, do you have a template or the dimensions for this build?

[@Smokkedandslammed]

I just watched a Carver DIY banjo video and he was referencing a book called "foxfire 3" that had ALL SORTS of different banjos and plans with awesome olde tyme photos 👍🏻👍🏻

[@scottivy5925]

800.

[@Chikinbokbok]

What's that last song called?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

That's "Black Annie" from Dink Roberts. I made that recording in the early 2000s, and don't remember what tuning I used.

[@Chikinbokbok]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo hey thanks for the quick reply! I've recently started trying to figure out these old-timey-er songs with my guitar player friend, and I've been scouting out as many old timey songs as I can. It's like a whole new world to me because I've been a Scruggs three finger picker the whole time I've been playing, and thus have only really dabbled in bluegrass so far.

[@noname-vp6vf]

​@@Chikinbokbok

[@Mtnstyleoutdoors]

Hey Clifton whst kind of glue did u use on that banjo

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Titebond™. Old timers used nails and/or hide glue if they had it.

[@woodwoman9130]

Hide glue….www.highlandwoodworking.com/oldbrownglue5oz.aspx

[@Mtnstyleoutdoors]

Thx man

[@scottivy5925]

ok 1200.