Tech: Get A Gibson?

Subject: RE: Tech: Get A Gibson?
From: Cluin
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 02:43 AM

And sometimes AT it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Get A Gibson?
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 04:45 PM

A friend of mine has a compensated nut on his banjo. Swears by it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Get A Gibson?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 09:47 AM

When you get it in tune..........get it welded,[ preferably to the back of a bus.]

eric

Subject: RE: Tech: Get A Gibson?
From: deadfrett
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 09:38 AM

A compensated bridge may help tuning problem. Even then finger pressure can change the string pitch. You might also try using heavier strings, say light to mediums. "Earl" uses mediums. If possible experiment with different guages. This has helped several banjoists I have known. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Tech: Get A Gibson?
From: GUEST,Patrick Costello
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 07:10 AM

You don't need a new neck - or a new banjo. All you have to do is set the bridge.

The wig tape is a bad idea. I would be willing to be money that the bridge is in the wrong place - banjo players don't glue, tape or otherwize stick the bridge down on the head. The bridge is only held in place by string tension.

So before you buy anything watch the banjo setup workshop I filmed last week. http://youtube.com/watch?v=yiilZ-PD1uQ Pay particular attention to how I set the bridge.

-Patrick

Subject: RE: Tech: Get A Gibson?
From: mandotim
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 04:17 AM

Gibson are certainly an option, but why do you assume that their quality is better than the overseas models? Gibson have certainly turned out their share of rubbish over the years, and Mastertones are no exception. The low-end Mastertones like the RB250 are overpriced, and there are better banjos from Deering and Stelling in the same price bracket. There are lots of high quality banjos from smaller makers, both in the US and overseas. Most of the small luthiers will build a replacement neck for your current banjo, which is generally regarded as a good solid bluegrass instrument.
Try here for some advice and sources for necks.
Regarding 'overseas' banjos; look at Gold Tone, and Lebeda. I think Jiri Lebeda (from the Czech Republic, 'George' to his friends) used to do a lot of work for Stelling.
Hope this helps.
Tim

Subject: RE: Tech: Get A Gibson?
From: HarleySpirit
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 04:08 AM

Hi,
For a solution, you might try this link:
Patrick Costello

Subject: Tech: 5-string Banjos : Must it be a Gibson?
From: GUEST,Dewey
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 03:12 AM

I've been having a hard time finding any 5-string Banjo out there, other than the Gibson models, that fret true throughout the neck, the neck on my currnet banjo (1983 Fender Leo Japan) plays perfect in the lower register until I get into the higher areas.

I have an older acquaintance, that keeps pressuring me to, "Get a Gibson" as though they are the only ones capable of fretting true. While I have no doubt their quality is better than the overseas models, I don't have an extra $3500.00 to shell our for a Gibson Mastertone.

The pot, tailpiece and bridge are set up correctly and the harmonics at the 12th fret are dead on.... they have even been tested by an electronic meter, plus.... the bridge was set in place with wighair tape, after being scale measured for accurancy.

As mentioned earlier everything frets true except the for the last high G-posotion at the end of the neck, which is very very off, and which I need when I play gigs and do tunes like Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Dear Old Dixie etc.

Also the coordinating rods are tight as well, not overly tight mind you, but snug enough just the same to not become an issue. I do not have a truss rod tool, myself, to adjust the neck, and don't care to, without having it seen by an expert.

Anyway, the question is:

Is it possible to find and/or repair a Non-Gibson tone ring style banjo that frets true? Or must it be only an expensive workhorse Gibson Mastertone, to have a solid neck that won't warp and various other parts that allegedly don't move and/or cause neck issues?

Also, I am just guessing but I think the problem is a slightly warped neck. Is it possible to find a replacement neck, (one that I can just screw onto my current pot and simply be done with everything. i.e.: I don't want to get into woodwork and other handyman projects.

The model of my current banjo is a 1983 Fender Deluxe. It was a pretty decent banjo in its day The banjo sounds good enough tone-wise for bluegrass. I just need to get it more playable with the ability to fret true throughout all of the neck.

Also, are there any SPECIFICALLY COMPATABLE, AND MEASURED Replacement necks that I could buy and place on this banjo should this be necessary. (Again it is a tone ring model with a double coordinating rod syustem.

Don't want to buy and exprensive Gibson, which right now I cannot afford.

Please advise, and thanks in advance for your expertise!

Dewey