Gourd banjo FULL BUILD with walnut and cherry burl

The full build of my 18th gourd banjo. This was a commissioned build.
Email me at [e-mail] with inquiries.

[@JanePiotrowski-ml2fp]

I love my banjo!!! Thanks again Ben!

[@andypreising]

Keep up the great work, the tone and look of this one are awesome! I'm only just now starting my journey as a wannabe luthier and these videos are really inspiring! Thank you for the effort put in to film/edit as well!

[@xander9564]

Great tone on this banjo ... rich and atmospheric. Looks great too.

[@kevingranger8819]

WOW Ben !!!!!!! That's an awesome looking piece.

[@ErickvdK]

Tip for scraping the inside of the gourd: take an old spoon, cut off the handle and sharpen one half of the bowl, you now have a scraper with every curve you'll need. That's how I do it, works a treat!😊

[@bengreco]

interesting, I've tried using a spoon but didn't think to sharpen it. I'll give that a go!

[@twilightsparklegirlytl2796]

I built a couple of banjos and know it never goes without hitches your good at problem solving so you'll get better and better enjoyed your video very much thanks from joe brady in South Carolina

[@bengreco]

thanks appreciate it! haha yeah something always goes wrong but I guess it keeps me from getting bored!

[@fundybanjos]

Nice job making the banjo and video! That gap at the back of the headstock doesn't need to be set in by drilling anything. On the back of those tuners is a sharp pin that keeps them from turning once they are tightened down. You just need to tighten them from the other side and that point will dig into the wood and will make the tuners flush. Also, you can get some offcuts of absolutely flat marble from kitchen suppliers and use that as a flat surface to glue/tape some sandpaper down to sand the top of your gourds flat. Nothing wrong with what you're doing, you just mentioned you were not happy with the flatness and your process for that.

[@bengreco]

Yeah, I think the way I did the headstock, the backside wasn't flat, so they wouldn't sit flush even with the pin all the into the wood (and I got nervous about overtightening). Idk though, I did something weird, but it worked out in the end at least. I'll have to check out some kitchen suppliers, that would be amazing to have some flat marble! Just the other day ground another gourd out on the asphalt and I think that's the last time I wanna do it. Just a messy way to go, even though it gets the job done. Thanks for the tips and for watching!

[@fundybanjos]

@@bengreco yeah keep up the good work man. Looking and sounding good. The marble offcuts are good. But for the gourds you could even get away with a small piece of 3/4" plywood with sandpaper glued on. Would definitely be flat enough for that. I like having the marble though. But it's a bit heavy to move around

[@muttandjeff5213]

Well done Ben! She’s a beauty!🪕

[@polimana]

wire brush on the end of the drill is a really genius tip

[@bengreco]

yeah, I just tried it for the first time yesterday and it's a game changer. can't believe I never thought of it before

[@dondert8741]

I really love how your banjos have a distinct character. As in I’d probably recognize them as yours if I would spot one.

[@bengreco]

thanks! that's the ultimate compliment for what I'm going for

[@jameslovelace8828]

A thick peace of glass is what some use for a lapping surface.

[@randomdestructn]

A fitting end tune, the banjo was a bit of trouble on your mind.

[@bengreco]

hahaha true, they all are

[@janettehill8544]

Get a set of jewelers files for nut and bridge slots.

[@YaSalaamYaSalaam]

Awesome work as always!

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Great build! And, yes, very sketchy circular saw bit... 🤯

[@kylewood4852]

Man that planer you have is nice! My old rigid is tired and done 😂

[@kylewood4852]

Beautiful woodwork too. That thing is sweet!

[@bengreco]

Thanks!! Yeah I used to have a junk harbor freight one but when it broke I figured I use it so much it's worth spending a little. Also this one is self-centering which is amazing

[@kylewood4852]

@@bengreco that’s a huge plus to have on that planer! I need to find one asap.

[@KwameCrawford]

Was waiting for this 😂

[@massimodavoglio6032]

great!

[@teabagginelite7030]

I got my standing drill press from harbor freight. It cost me less than $500. The main thing is getting good bits because the press only needs to spin.

[@hillt0py0deler]

Enjoying your videos! Curious to know what sort of bit you are using that allows you to make the little plugs / pips? Thanks!

[@bengreco]

thanks! there are good plug cutter bits you can buy, but a while ago I bought a cheap 1/16" leather stamp from harbor freight and filed teeth in it so it would cut wood, and I've been using that since. It kinda sucks though and I'm probably gonna buy a proper plug cutter soon

[@AuroCords]

🔥.🔥

[@KingGeorge162]

KZbin algrythm thought I'd like it. Did.

[@randellsmith7651]

You need hardwood for the tailpiece

[@bengreco]

I used cherry on this one, but I've had better luck with hard maple

[@RobbieHilton97]

Great build dude. Where do you get your gourds?

[@bengreco]

thanks! Tough to find gourds on the west coast now for some reason, I used to get them from Welburn gourd farm near Temecula, but I'm from upstate NY so some of the best one's I've gotten were from amish gourd farms around Lancaster, PA. They're much easier to find in the east, many more growers. Out here in socal, there's really just Welburn, and they don't have much to offer now

[@jacobthecroatian]

Do you have an average pricing for these? Super cool man!!

[@bengreco]

yeah custom builds are around $700 depending on materials, but I'll sell non custom builds for less

[@jg99997]

where do you get gourds?

[@bengreco]

This one's from Welburn gourd farm in southern CA, I also get some from the Amish in PA

[@belro17]

Could you ship to TN?

[@bengreco]

yep! I can ship anywhere in the US pretty easily, and internationally too

[@mikegiammarise7861]

Wood glue and burlap could be a less toxic strength instead of fiberglass or cotton duck cloth it’s called poor man’s fiberglass

[@bengreco]

I'll have to try that, I haven't heard of that before. I also want to try melting granular hide glue into the inside of the gourd, someone told me it really hardens things up. Really sick of the fiberglass haha