UK guitar luthier

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 06:51 AM

The reason my banjo is totally dismantled on my workbench is to give me something to do, so that I don't keep pestering CCGX over how it's going with my D-18, which I otherwise would.

And, breaking down a banjo, you get an otherwise unavailable opportunity to clean components like the tone ring which is almost always tucked away out of reach.

BUT DON'T REMOVE THE NECK FROM THE POT IF YOU ARE NEW TO BANJO MAINTENANCE. If that's you, you should take the banjo to a banjo tech.



-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 07:44 AM

You mention banjo tech as if they are legion, when they are few and far between in the UK these days. I agree that removing the neck is best avoided, but it’s one of the tasks you have to learn yourself eventually, given that you can’t replace the head properly on some older models otherwise.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 08:04 AM

Jerry,

Yes, you should ideally learn how to remove your banjo neck. However, if you're new to banjo and it's your ONLY instrument, trying to do it and maybe not succeeding and sitting there with possibly no access to a tech and wishing you'd left it alone...

Banjo techs are not numerous in the UK, and I never said they are, but a quick online search should bring up 2 or 3.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 08:21 AM

As far as replacing the head, I'd say enjoy your banjo, play it, have fun and if, down the road, you want to experiment with different heads, fine but get a little experience first. Don't try too much too soon.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 09:53 AM

Is this an invitation for the banjo jokes?

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 10:25 AM

LOL.

I get that banjos don't appeal to all, so I'll leave it there and get back to thread topic :)

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 10:36 AM

'cos I have time on my hands, it was a toss- up between banjos and posting a list of guitar techs whose work I found poor.

I decided I couldn't do the latter 'cos their bad work may have been a one-off and not typical, so banjos got it lol.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 11:23 AM

The beauty of banjos is that, unlike guitars, you can dismantle them and then put them them back together to improve the set-up, but I have long since learnt that once you have one well set up, it’s best to leave it alone. Otherwise, it’s a bit like FatherTed’s slightly dented car, trying to get it back to the original state.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 04 Sep 25 - 11:54 AM

Jerry,

Absolutely, that IS one of the beauties of a banjo.

The tinkering, though, can become a frustrating search for the Holy Grail :)

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 05 Sep 25 - 06:32 AM

Expecting a call this afternoon from the Plek operator, Kim Rodgers, to go over a few last details before my D-18 goes in the machine.

The wheels are turning!

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 05 Sep 25 - 09:49 AM

So, took the call from Kim.

Gone for a setup with EJ16, so 12's.

Should be ready for shipping back in 2-3 weeks.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 05 Sep 25 - 10:28 AM

One thing Kim DID say, after seeing the D-18 is that the neck was "Too straight" at 0.006", knowing my playing style. 0.010" is more me. And I rarely go beyond the 5th fret without a capo, my favourite being a G7 Newport.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 07 Sep 25 - 06:40 AM

I'm having a hard time resisting the temptation to text CCGX Plek operator Kim Rodgers over how it's going with my D-18.

Will I get pictures? Will some big noise like Clapton jump in and commandeer my D-18's Plek slot?

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 07 Sep 25 - 11:53 AM

It’s weekend, he’s probably in the pub! Enquiries along the lines of “How’s it going?” Invariably make the job take longer.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 07 Sep 25 - 02:05 PM

Ray,

And that's why I've avoided the temptation. The job will take as long as it needs to. At some point I'll get a call and the D-18 will be shipped home.

In the meantime, I've got a banjo to assemble and a Strat I can borrow if I need to :)

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 07 Sep 25 - 02:38 PM

By the way, Ray, heard of The Setup Shop? They're not too far from you in Warsop, Mansfield. They carry out repairs, re-frets, setups, and they have a website if you'd like to take a look.

Never been to 'em, so it's not a recommendation.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 07 Sep 25 - 04:02 PM

Not that near, Fred. 57 miles as the crow flies.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 07 Sep 25 - 05:04 PM

^ blimey, didn't think it was THAT far.

I don't drive and rely on a mate. A tame tech within pushbike range would be ideal for me!

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 07 Sep 25 - 05:34 PM

Drove down from the Scottish borders this morning - not even looked at a guitar for over two weeks.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 08 Sep 25 - 04:44 AM

Ordered 10 sets of EJ16, microfibre cloths, JD 01 Fretboard cleaner, nut sauce, so that they're here before my D-18 is shipped home - and, for me, bicarbonate of soda to tame my toxic sweat!

-F