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Updating this thread with another banjo build, and adding some additional thoughts and suggestions for potential improvements (TL;DR: light-steel strings).
Overall I was very satisfied with the quality of the kit produced by Mr. Carver. My neck and associated action was spot on, and all wood furniture was made of high quality hardwood. The goatskin head was excellent in form and function and added character. The bridge and friction tuning pegs were well made and decently sourced. The 3D printed nut did its job, as did the tacks.
These last two parts (nut and tacks) are the only parts I would upgrade if I was to redo this tack-head kit. I would choose bone and unlacquered brass to suit my personal taste and style. As is – this does not affect performance at all and would be purely stylistic.
One “upgrade” which I would suggest everyone TO TRY at least TEMPORARILY, would be to run some light gauge steel strings!
Upon completing my kit, I was very pleased… I already had heard the kit played, and knew it would have what I would describe as a ‘cello’ sound. Tuned low, without the traditional banjo resonance… This was not my cup of tea, and I had hoped that I would be able to brighten the sound up some (something akin to a traditional open backed banjo).
I went on Amazon and bought the least expensive light gauge strings to see if this would be possible, given what I’ve read from Mr. Carver about the strings settling to a lower tuning over time. Using light gauge steel strings, I DID NOT FIND THIS TO BE THE CASE. I was able to set my banjo to regular tuning; it sounded bright and clear, without any buzzing, and it kept in tune for many days at constant temperature and humidity. [D’Addario 9-20 Ball End: $6.99/set]
Overall, with the addition of light-gauge steel strings, I am completely enamored with my ‘homemade’ banjo and literally can’t put it down. It is light, obviously handmade and rips. I am over the moon about it.
When I bought this kit, there were options for many different style headstocks. I was amazed that Mr. Carver was able to provide so many different options to his customers, given his hand made production operation. This has since pared down to 1 style (the Minstrel head). I would love to see these options come back! Also, since I purchased the kit, it has now come available with the option of a tension ring. This is something I would have opted for originally, and I am super excited that this has become available. For this reason, I am strongly considering purchasing and assembling another kit.
In the future, I could see myself converting my fretted tackhead to a fretless tackhead, and using the fretted neck on the tension ringed model. Shamelessly borrowing from another forum poster, I have purchased planetary tuners from TEMU to upgrade the future tension ringed build. Both will sport light gauge steel strings, and this is my preference from a sound and tuning pitch perspective.
Overall 5-stars to Mr. Carver for his builds! I wonder what is the chance that I could get him to fabricate a custom resonator for me? I will be posing that question via email, and eagerly await his response. Kudos Mr. Carver.
Kind Regards to all,
George
