Winter Build-off 2022: So Doc, I've got this thing on my knee...

[Big B.]

Hello and greetings my friends, it's that time again. This is my customary late entry into the build-off and it's a renewal of a great idea that was not well executed the first time. I built this original bass well over a decade ago and it was a hodgepodge of scavenged parts, a throwaway neck blank and a 30$ used snare drum. It was a throw together idea and very poorly executed but the sound is unique and I think I can make it work now.
I give you... the Branjo. I am from Alabama after all.

So yeah, a bit of a mess but the proof of concept is there. I've got several problems to solve along the way. First the drum itself:

1: The 5" drum is too deep to be comfortable in playing position so I'm going with a 3" deep piccolo snare shell instead.

2: The steel drum is not great for good bass tone so I'm going with a wooden shell.

3. Three, you didn't come here to watch me just cut a hole in a drum, bolt a neck to it, and call it a day did you? So, I'm going to start out by making a solid wood shell from scratch. Let's get crazy right?!

 

[Big B.]

First, we plan.

Drill a few holes and we can lay out the the 13" shell.

It will be made in the barrel stave style and finish at 3/8" thick. I found the center point of my board and used an awl to pin the swing point and draw the outlines of the shell.

Turns out the board I want to use is a bit too narrow for an 8 piece glue up so I updated the layout to use 10 pieces instead.

I then use this layout to determine how thick and how wide my board will need to be.

.800 thick and 4 5/16 wide. Next time we meet we'll be chopping wood!

 

[Flamingo21]

Don't forget to include a start pic with the compulsory written text.

"Renewal all over again"

 

[41hzthunder]

Don't forget to include a start pic with the compulsory written text.

"Renewal all over again"

I think its written on the "branjo" top with complimentary smiley face! Interesting concept. I am curious what it sounds like.

 

[2groggy]

I think its written on the "branjo" top with complimentary smiley face! Interesting concept. I am curious what it sounds like.

He means the wood pile picture. Tagging the dimensioned lumber is the build-off way of knowing that nobody started early or bought what they said they built.

We do love our wood pile pics and needed-every-clamp-in-the-house pics.

 

[Flamingo21]

I had some trouble wrapping my head around the Alabama reference. Perhaps because I'm European.

I think it is a song:
"I came from Alabama with a banjo on my knee..."

Correct?

 

[Big B.]

I dont know what wood I'm using yet so this is the best I've got for now. I'll figure that out as I go. Look on the bright side, you'll get more wood pics for your money this way.

As far as being eligible to win, I frankly couldn't care less. This is just a good reason to start a new project and share it with a friendly audience.

 

[Big B.]

I had some trouble wrapping my head around the Alabama reference. Perhaps because I'm European.

I think it is a song:
"I came from Alabama with a banjo on my knee..."

Correct?

That's exactly it. I'm originally from Alabama so it seemed appropriate.

 

[41hzthunder]

He means the wood pile picture. Tagging the dimensioned lumber is the build-off way of knowing that nobody started early or bought what they said they built.

Agreed. No cheatin'!

We do love our wood pile pics and needed-every-clamp-in-the-house pics.

Wood pile pinup for the garage? Clamps optional? Maybe a bass build off calendar??? I do love the smell of sawdust!

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I dont know what wood I'm using yet so this is the best I've got for now. I'll figure that out as I go. Look on the bright side, you'll get more wood pics for your money this way.

As far as being eligible to win, I frankly couldn't care less. This is just a good reason to start a new project and share it with a friendly audience.

Bonus points in the build off for getting “couldn’t care less” right instead of “could care less.” My wife always says the latter and I ask her “So you actually do care?” Can’t understand why she’s miffed at me…

 

[Flamingo21]

Bonus points in the build off for getting “couldn’t care less” right instead of “could care less.”

I couldn't agree more.

Now, have I earned bonus points too?

 

[Big B.]

Bonus points in the build off for getting “couldn’t care less” right instead of “could care less.” My wife always says the latter and I ask her “So you actually do care?” Can’t understand why she’s miffed at me…

Oh crap, you might have just discovered why I don't have a wife.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I couldn't agree more.

Now, have I earned bonus points too?

 

[T_Bone_TL]

View attachment 4543550

But can I get some Green Stamps?

 

[Reedt2000]

Super cool idea! Is it going to be open-back? If it's closed back, I wonder if you could tune a small port, or ports in the shell?

Whatever you do, I'm in

Sub'd

 

[postalflunkie]

But can I get some Green Stamps?

Ok, I got that reference... does that make me really old?

 

[singlemalt]

 

[Big B.]

Alright, it's time to put the pencil down and make some sawdust. I decided on this sexy purpleheart board. As you can see it's already been cut in half.

Since the shell will have 10 segments the boards need to be beveled at 18°.

Next I measure out and mark the segments and set up one of my crosscut sleds.

I then set a stop at 3 3/8" and cut the segments.

A little bit of tape to hold it together and we have our shell blank.

I lined it up with the layout I drew and it looks everything is lined up correctly so far.

Next I need to glue the blank and start thinking about the neck and fingerboard.

 

[Gary_M]

...As you can see it's already been cut in half.

View attachment 4543736

 

[Flamingo21]

When I woke up this morning, I didn't think I'd see a snare drum being built on TalkBass today.

Interesting project. I'm following along.