MINSTREL BANJO KIT No. MB-12 This authentic banjo kit, shown here, has a rough shaped maple neck with a typical scroll peghead of the day. The fingerboard and front of the peghead is sanded flat and the nut slot is pre-cut. The end of the neck is cut to fit the rim and a hole drilled for the dowel stick. The wood friction tuners are precisely fitted into the tapered holes. The 12 inch maple rim is 1/4 inch thick and has all holes drilled for the hardware and dowel stick. It comes with a brass tension hoop, 10 brass shoes, hooks, nuts, a flesh hoop and a classic calfskin head. Also included are two ebony nut blanks, dowel stick, wood tailpiece with gut to attach, bridge, nylon strings* and amber or dark brown wood stain. All that is left to do is to file the final shape of the neck, attach dowel stick, sand, stain and apply an oil finish. Then you drill two holes, assemble and it's ready to play. Detailed, step-by-step instructions are included. Price $475 + $20 shipping MINSTREL BANJO KIT No. MB-13 NEW Same as above, except with a 13 inch rim. Price $550 + $20 shipping

*Real Gut Strings $25 extra

TACKHEAD BANJO KIT No. TH-12 This authentic banjo kit is exactly like the Minstrel Banjo Kit MB-12 except it has no tension hoop, shoes, hooks or nuts for adjusting the tension on the head. Instead the head is installed with 72 brass tacks and the dowel stick protrudes about four inches beyond the bottom of the rim. These banjo were used by folks who could not afford a store bought banjo or could not find a banjo maker. They usually made their own banjo. These banjos were also a favorite of the Civil War soldier as they were light and easy to carry. Again, detailed step-by step instructions are included. Price $380 plus $20 shipping TACKHEAD BANJO KIT No. TH-13 This kit is identical to Kit No. TH-12 except it comes with a 13 inch rim for that extra deep tone. Very Popular Price $430 plus $20 shipping

These kits are offered by Bob Flesher, the first modern-day banjo builder to build minstrel banjos including the banjo used in the Ted Turner Civil War mini-series, "Andersonville", available at your video store.