Cockrum Banjo #0001

This is the first banjo that I have completed from scratch. Here are some photos of the final assembly process.

The locally-sourced block walnut rim has three layers of seven segments that are locked together with a tenon between them. This gives a great glue surface and allows alignment and clamping using large hose-clamps.

The tone ring is a 20-hole bronze flathead ring fit tightly to the walnut rim.

The neck was CNC carved using a Shapeoko 5 Pro from a single piece of walnut. This particular piece had some grain movement in one end that I lined up such that the grain curves with the headstock to increase strength. The fretboard and headstock overlay were cut from Padauk inlayed with mother-of-pearl.

The truss-rod cover is walnut burn inlayed with maple.

All of the hardware and tuners are from Bill Rickard who makes some really great stuff.