651-439-9120
8
Now you can assemble the body with the skin head
and tone ring as shown at right, using the nine wood
screws provided (No glue).
IMPORTANT: Take care to orient the parts correctly!
(fig. 16) The two extra holes in one part of the back
ring should be centered over the large slot in the main
body. Also, the label on the skin head looks best when
centered under the strings.
Notice that the tone ring has a rounded edge that
should push against the inside of the skin head as
the wider flat edge is pressed downward by six sock-
et-head screws for applying tension to the skin head.
We don’t glue the back ring in place because we figure
someone will eventually need to take the banjo apart
for cleaning, refinishing or repair in the future.
Use the 5/32” allen wrench to install 7 cap screws into
the back of the body so they press evenly on the tone
ring. You can tighten these screws equal amounts to
add tension to the skin head. We like it when thumb
pressure on the front of the skin head can only push
it down about 1/8” or so.
Fit the blackwood nut against the narrow end of the fret-
board and shape it down to match the illustration here.
(fig. 17) It should stand at least 1/16” above the surface
of the fretboard, and the top can be sloped downward
toward the peghead for easier filing of string notches.
This wood sands very nicely if you lay your sandpaper on the table and rub the wood across
the paper to achieve the size and shape you need. Once you have it fitting properly, polish it up
with fine sandpaper (400-600 grit).
Then use Superglue or 5-minute epoxy to glue the nut in place, taking care to center it so one
end does not poke out beyond the edge of the neck (that would be uncomfortable when you
play).
Install the 5th peg into the hole in the side of the neck, as
shown. (fig. 18) Use your fingers to get it started, and take
a look from the side view to make sure the post is turned a
little off vertical to make it easy to wind the string on it at
the angle from the top of the fretboard.
FIG. 16
FIG. 17
FIG. 18
extra
holes
____14.
____15.
____16.
Path of string
NOTE: Some of the 5th pegs are too small to seat securly
in the hole without help. If this is the case, you’ll want
to epoxy the 5th Peg in place.
p
