For enthusiasts of early banjo

Banjo Stains

Hello all!

I'm new to this group. I'm Audun, and I participate in Civil War reenactments out in the PNW. I really love this period of history and the music associated with it.

That being said, I recently got a Bell Boucher kit, and was wondering what some good stains were? Do you have any personal favourites?

Hopefully, I'll be able to start putting my banjo together within the next few weeks, after I get home from a trip to France. Once that's done, I hope to be a regular on this site :)

Thanks and nice to meet everyone!

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Strumelia on April 14, 2015 at 2:16pm

A trip to France AND a new banjo?

Dare I suggest that- your trip to France might influence your sense of color appreciation in some as yet unknown way. Keep your eyes peeled for wood colors and color combinations might stumble upon that take your breath away, and take photos of them! If you use this approach, your banjo will always remind you of your trip (hopefully a good thing). Along the lines of "We'll always have Paris". Just a thought for a way to make it fun. :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Masciale on April 15, 2015 at 9:08am

Perhaps the most common of the time was boiled linseed oil mixed with some alcohol. That gives a fairly light yellowish colored stain. I know of people using tea and coffee in stains. If you have access to black walnuts that makes a very nice deep brown stain. If you could choose a "modern" stain, what color would you want your banjo to be?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wes Merchant on April 15, 2015 at 3:19pm

Many years ago an old timer showed me how to match stain using a mix of one part boiled linseed oil to four parts mineral spirits then tinting to the desired color using tubes of artist's oil color.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Strumelia on April 15, 2015 at 5:16pm

Wes, yes that's a thing I've used many a time... it's basically just a super diluted artist oil color, mixed with oil and turpentine...like artists use only with a veyr small amount of pigment instead of the usual other way around- (mostly pigment made workable with oil and turp mixture)..

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hugh Strawn on April 16, 2015 at 6:51am

I have 5 pages of instructions from Terry regarding this kit. It has quite useful suggerstions and instructions regarding stains and finish. PM if you'd like me to send you a copy. hugh

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott Danneker on April 17, 2015 at 6:40am

this seems to be a popular topic

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan O;Connor on April 17, 2015 at 7:14am

Hello Audum, I too have recently aquired a new Boucher Banjo Kit from Terry Bell and He Recommended using Wood Dyes instead of stains. Dyes sink deeper into the wood and show the grains much better. they are also much easier to use, no mess, no smell and very quick dry time. I got mine from the Luthiers Mercantile Co. Comes in a kit of 3 colors, Red, Yellow & Brown. You mix a bit of each to get the desired color.

Kit coast about $12 to $15 Here is the Website www.lmii.com