Banjo Fifth Peg Press

by John M. Colombini

Originally published as Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #207, 1982 and Lutherie Tools, 1990

Procedure:

Make a bushing from a 3/4"×3/8" piece of steel or brass round by drilling a 7/32" hole and countersinking one end.

Round off the bottom of a 4" C clamp screw so it seats in teh countersunk hole in the bushing centering the clamp.

Cut a hardwood block 2"×1 5/8"×1 5/8" cutout to fit the banjo neck. I use a contour gauge or my actual size templet.

Apply 1/16" piece of leather to the cutout using contact cement. The drawing should explain the usage.

The important part is to be sure the bushing is longer than the shaft of the tuning peg. Add spacers between the bushing and the peg shaft if you should come across a longer shaft or make a slightly longer bushing. ◆

Review: Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo

Reviewed by James Arial

Originally published in Guild of American Luthiers Newsletter Vol 2 #1, 1974

Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo
Peer International Corporation
1740 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019

This book was published in 1968. It is a comprehensive study of the 5-string banjo including a very well written adn illustrated chapter on banjo construction. The seventeen pages in this section of the book describe all phases of construction except that of making a resonator. There is an excellent segment on inlaying using a unique technique of sandblasting to carve the recesses for fancy work.

The book’s $10.95 retail price might scare off the casual luthier, but if you’re interested in Scruggs type picking as well as banjo making it is well worth the price. The technique used by Scruggs is very clearly described in step by step procedure. Thirty-five of his best known songs are presented in easily read tablature. ◆