Constructing a 5-String Banjo: A Complete Technical Guide [Plastic Comb]

Roger H. Siminoff (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1985

Just as in his other book, Constructing a Bluegrass Mandolin, Roger's simple and concise step-by-step instructions show you the how and the why of it all, leading you on a path that blends discovery with pure joy. Over 200 photos and illustrations provide the kind of valuable reference no other book in the field can offer. Roger has used his technical knowledge on design, sound, and all of the important stages of construction that go into the building of a musical instrument, and has incorporated these ideas into one text. The end result is this valuable book of information that will help you to learn more about the makeup of a 5-string banjo, and more importantly, will give you the satisfaction and pride in being able to accomplish the building of a banjo that you can play and enjoy for years to come.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 64 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (July 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881883735
• ISBN-13: 978-0881883732
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Basic Handbook for Banjo Builders, March 1, 2000

By 

Hrabanus Maurus (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Constructing a 5-String Banjo: A Complete Technical Guide (Plastic Comb)

Every prospective banjo builder should have this book. It is thorough and exhaustive. If you have the proper tools and are willing to take your time, you can build a perfectly good banjo with the information in this book.

Roger shows the prospective builder how to construct almost every major part of the instrument, from the rim to the neck to the resonator. Fortunately for the tyro, it is not necessary to go quite this far in the building process. It is now very easy to obtain semi-finished parts from many sources, so you don't have to slot your own fretboard or bend your own rim, unless you really like to get down to the most basic type of building.

This book has been out for fifteen years now, and some of the suppliers in his list have gone out of business. So the list should probably be updated.

If you do an internet search for banjo parts, you will be able to buy almost everything you need in semi finished form to construct a great banjo, using this book as a guide along the way.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Covers all the aspects of building a bluegrass banjo., August 28, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Framingham, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Constructing a 5-String Banjo: A Complete Technical Guide (Plastic Comb)

Roger covers everything you need to know about building a bluegrass banjo. He does an excellent job of describing the tasks and the sequence that they should be done. Building a banjo is a lot like swimming; easier for an expert to describe than for the novice to execute. However, with Rogers step by step method, you will have to work hard at screwing up. This book will save you hours of aggrivation and frustration. Well worth the money. The book contains excellent photos to assist the builder.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible resource, February 25, 2003

By 

Rick Wirth (Sunbury, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Constructing a 5-String Banjo: A Complete Technical Guide (Plastic Comb)

I am an advanced woodworker and know what I am looking at in regard to how-to wood working books. This book is so definitive and complete that it is the standard I will use for other books of its kind. Although it is a technical book there is also bits of supporting theory about the "why" of the "how-to". Although there were some things I know little about, such as inlaying work, I found myself inspired to get into areas that before I would avoid. Great book, Roger.