STEP 1
Cut and measure
Cut a piece of your board to about 36″ long. Measure 3/4″ from the bottom and then 2-1/4″ from the bottom, making points in the middle of the board.
STEP 2
Measure and drill
Measure another point 1″ from the top and mark it in the center of the board. Now drill the 3 points you marked. Make sure to use a backer board to avoid drilling into your table.
STEP 3
Drill your can
After cleaning out your can, measure a point 3/4″ from the bottom and another point 2-1/4″ from the bottom, and then drill them. Drill a small hole in the center of the bottom of the can.
STEP 4
Add the bolts
Place your two 1/4″ bolts through the board and into the can. Secure them using 2 washers and 2 nuts.
Screw the eye bolt into the top of the stock. If it’s hard to turn the screw, thread a screw driver through the eye for extra leverage.
STEP 5
Secure the bolts
Secure the eye bolt with a nut on the bottom and then hot glue the 3/8″ bolt across the board about 1″ from the eye bolt.
STEP 6
Make the string
Using your guitar string or wire, thread a knot onto the string. Twist the wire tightly together to keep the nut on.
STEP 7
String the canjo
Cut enough wire to reach the length of the guitar plus an extra foot. Thread a washer onto the wire and then thread the wire through the hole in the bottom of the can. When you reach the top, thread the wire through the eye bolt.
STEP 8
Tie the wire
Make a few loops of wire around the side of the eye bolt, then thread the wire through the loops and pull it tight to tie it on.
STEP 9
Tune the canjo
***Wear Safety Glasses***
This is the dangerous part! We are going to tighten the string so it will make a tone, but overtightening can break the string and make it whip around. Wear safety glasses.
Tighten the wire while plucking periodically. When it begins to sound the way you like, you’ve got it. Cut off the extra wire and your canjo is complete!
WHAT'S NEXT?
Try tuning your canjo using a free guitar tuning app for a smartphone. Adding a piezo pickup can turn your acoustic canjo into an electric guitar.
Please Note
Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Maker Media, Inc., disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.
Way-Out Sound
Canjo
45 Minutes
TO COMPLETE
WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?
WHAT WILL YOU NEED?
- 2"×1" hardwood board
- Can of Spam
- 1/4"×2" bolts (2)
- 1/4" washers (3)
- 1/4" nuts (3)
- Eye bolt with nut
- 3/8"×2" bolt
- 22 gauge picture wire or guitar string
- Saw
- Drill
- Yard stick
- Hot glue