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Use 5-minute epoxy or medium Superglue to glue the pearl dots into the wood. Press them
down until flush if the hole is deep enough. If not, you can sand them flush after the glue dries.
Start with 100 grit sandpaper, and finish off with about 180 grit, using a flat sanding block to
keep the playing surface flat. Be sure to sand off any excess glue residue too.
If you have a fretted banjo kit, you can install the frets
now, before gluing the fretboard in place. You’ll want
your fretboard on sturdy, solid workbench.
INSTALLING THE FRETS
SHAPING THE PEGHEAD
FIG. 3
Hold the end of wire over the slot in the fretboard, so
the end hangs over the edge of the wood just 1/16” or
so. Position the fretwire so that the ‘tang” will be driv-
en down in the fret slots (fig. 3).
Use a hammer to lightly tap the fretwire into the slot,
until the crown of the fret contacts the wood sur-
face. Your fretwire may be slightly curved, but it will
straighten as you tap it in.
FIG. 4
Clip off the excess wire close to the edges. Then use a
flat mill file to file the ends flush and smooth with the
wood. A belt sander also works well for smoothing the
ends of the fretwire -- it is soft metal, so it sands nicely
on a power sander.
Then angle the file (or sander) to put a 45 degree bevel on each end. Be sure to file with down-
ward motions only, lest you lift a fret back out of its slot.
FIG. 5
The peghead can be shaped to suit your taste. This is a nice opportunity to customize the
instrument and make it fancy. You’ll find a few templates adapted from some tradition designs
on page 15. You can use one these, draw your own, or look for more inspiration on the internet.
p
When shaping the peghead, be sure to keep enough room to install the tuners and the
truss rod cover.
