Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Use your finger to spread some glue around the edge of the body of the cigar box and press the top closed onto the glue. Allow the box to dry closed.
Use the utility knife to cut an opening in the center of the front of the box that is 1/4 inch wide and 6 inches long.
Turn the cigar box over so that the back is facing you. Apply some glue to the front bottom half of the yardstick and lay it length-wise in the approximate center of the box so that half of the yardstick sticks out from one end of the box. Press it into place so that it attaches securely. The back side of the yardstick should show when the banjo is facing forward, if you do this correctly.
Apply glue to the back of one of the shorter pieces of molding and affix it to the yardstick handle approximately 1 inch from the end of the cigar box. Glue the other short pieces of molding along the yardstick, spacing each one approximately 1 inch from the last. These are the "frets" of your banjo. Apply glue to a 5-inch piece of molding and place it on the front of the box just above the top edge of the space that you cut. Glue another 5-inch piece of molding to the front of the cigar box approximately 2 inches from the bottom of the slit. Check to ensure that the two pieces of molding on the front of the banjo line up with each other as well as the shorter pieces on the handle.
Cut five deep, evenly-spaced grooves along the two long pieces of molding on the front of the banjo with the utility knife. Be careful to line the grooves of one piece up with the grooves of the other as you cut.
Gather the ends of the five shoestrings together in your hand and wrap them around the far end of the yardstick above the first piece of molding, then tie them in a knot. Stretch each shoelace down the length of the yard stick and settle it into the grooves in the longer pieces of molding, in order. For example, the bottommost lace should settle into the two bottom grooves and so on. Apply a little glue to the end of each lace, fold it over the far edge of the cigar box, and hold it for a moment it two until it is set.
Spread some glue on the back of the final long piece of molding and then lay it over the glued-down ends of your laces for a more professional appearance. Allow the glue on the banjo to dry completely.
Dip your fingers in cold water and run them along the leather laces to tighten the "strings" of your banjo. Do not try to tune a cigar box banjo; much of the charm is in the unique, homespun sound.