Gourd Instruments

[Dan Warren]

Hi all,

Our gourd vine is producing like crazy this year (one of the few things that'll tolerate our summers here), and I'm thinking of making some gourd-backed instruments. Anybody here make these? I've seen banjos with goatskin heads, and I've got some spruce that might make a good soundboard if glued on properly. I have questions about the process:
1) How long do these things take to dry? Do you dry them whole and then cut them up, or cut them to shape and let them dry after? I could see warping issues with the latter.
2) Is the back typically braced, or is a thru-stick usually enough?
3) Is there a soundhole somewhere? Some of the bowl-backed instruments I own have a soundhole in the back, or at the end.
4) As far as the texture of the dried product, it looks pretty woody, but I've never worked with it. Will it hold a screw?
5) Of course, if you've made one, I'd love to see it!

As always, your input / advice is greatly appreciated.

[Jim McConkey]

I am about to make a shekere from a dried gourd, but I have not built any banjo-type instruments. The gourds take a good couple months to dry. If you can dry them in a sunny place, they will be lighter and less mottled. Also dry several. They can develop soft spots that break through, although you might be able to cut that part off for a banjo. Gourds can be pretty thin once dried, I rather doubt it would hold a screw well. You can sand and shellac dried gourds.

As for banjos, gourd instruments are almost always neck-thru. Any soundhole is usually in the top. I can't tell you how they are braced.