Banjo Tuning

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: DonMeixner
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 11:51 PM

I use a Shubb slider on my Long Neck Ode 5. It was expensive at about $30.00 but with what I know now I'd pay twice that for the capo. I find it indespensable and I have never hung up on it.

Don

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: TIA
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 10:26 PM

Great tip Mike. I'm drivin' me some spikes and trying that.

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: BlueSage
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 07:47 PM

Guest Al made a good point; did you build the neck with 3 extra frets like the Vega "Seeger" banjos? If so, tune it to eBEG#B.

One of the oddities of long neck banjos is the fifth string tuning peg. On the vega long neck, it's located at the 8th fret (as opposed to the 5th fret) and you have to tune the fifth string up a step and a half from "E" to "G" when you capo the 3rd fret for standard G tuning. You then use your "spikes" as if you were using a standard size neck.

I don't like tuning my fifth string a step and a half every time I capo (the change in string tension causes the other strings to go out of tune) so I came up with an alternative:

I use a heavier gauge string on the fifth string and tune it to E. I then tune it up a half step for the key of F (capo on fret one). I leave the fifth string up a half step and spike the 10th fret for the key of G, the 12th fret for the key of A, and the 14th fret for the key of B.

This seems to work better for me as I switch often between open E and the capoed keys.

Mike

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: chip a
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 11:48 AM

I use a shubb sliding capo. I just got used to tucking my thumb under the neck and I have no problem at all with it being in the way. I do get up on the neck quite a bit. It changes faster than a spike and reaches for seven (!) frets. I think it's the longest they make. My experience with railroad spikes is that if you have a fairly low action as I do, they tend to buzz. I'd agree that the spikes look better, particularly if you're concerned about an "authentic" look.
:-),
chip

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 04:37 PM

Tune them???
Well I didn't think they did that. You learn something new every day!!!
¦¬]
Giok

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: TIA
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 02:22 PM

Thanks Al and Les B. That's been my worry, and you've confirmed.

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: GUEST,Les B.
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 01:21 PM

TIA - I've always avoided the sliding 5th string capo because I thought I'd hang up a thumb, and they're just not aesthetically pleasing. Railroad spikes are cheap, easy to install, and practically invisible.

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 11:11 AM

I used to have a sliding 5th string capo like you describe, and I never liked it. Too much hardware. But maybe they have improved. That was 1970.

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 11:10 AM

I remember Pete seeger talking about making that long neck so his Bass string could be in E so he could play along with the blues guys.. Play around with it and you'll find just the right thing . F and E are both possable.. I tuned my ramsey down to F sus 4 to play shady groves in the studio this year and it is not a very long neck.. You have alot of choices in front of you and non of them will take you very far wrong.. To loose and the instroment will buzz and to tyte and you will break strings (and possably hurt the neck) . F and E wont be far a feild at any rate.. Good luck !!! All the best Guy

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: TIA
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 09:26 AM

A long neck ehh? Beautiful instrument. About those railroad spikes... can anyone comment on the adjustable (slide up and down on a rail type) fifth string capos? Been considering one for my long neck, but I'm afraid the thumb screw thingy will get in the way when I go (with great trepidation) up the neck! Any warnings or encouragment?

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 02:22 AM

Well, if it's a long neck, doesn't it have three extra frets? If so, tune it to E when open, use first fret capo for F and third fret capo for G.

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 02:01 AM

Well Charcloth, there hasn't been enough Banjospeak around here lately. I figure that you have about three months of catching up to do. Get on it son.

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Dec 02 - 12:23 AM

For many more tunings try here:

http://zeppmusic.com/banjo/aktuning.htm#tunings

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: Charcloth
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 11:36 PM

AHH GEE fellar's I didn't know ya cared,
Boy am I glad to be back, I'm the only one in my house who speaks banjo, don't ya know!(computers been down almost 3 months)
Charcloth

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: X
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 06:37 PM

Hi there Charcloth, we missed ya! Nice to have you back.

oombanjo,

The notes you're looking for are; f C F A C

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 06:21 PM

Hey Charcloth, where have you been?

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: Charcloth
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 06:00 PM

DRAT TWO FINGER TYPOS! Tkae= take, spkie= spike

Subject: RE: Banjo Tuning
From: Charcloth
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 05:58 PM

Put a capo on it @ the second fret & tune it to G (g.D,G,B,D) tuning. Tkae the capo off & you then you'll have F tuning. [the thumb string would be an f if ya don't capo it with a railroad spkie]hope this helps,Charcloth

Subject: Banjo Tuning
From: oombanjo
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 03:52 PM

Well the Banjo's moving towards completion,It's turned out to be a long neck can anyone tell me F. tuning, and any other tips?
Thanks Oombanjo.                                                    I have been given a didgi. camera and the bits. So, with a little help from my friends I should be able to put both Banjo's on the site