Help with a 5 string banjo

Subject: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,mariner
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 03:58 PM

Some months ago I asked for advice about learning the 5 string banjo. The most popular hint was to get the Pete Seeger Banjo Book, which I did. Thanks to all, it's excellent. But now I've come up against another problem, one of the pegs(4th)on my old G H&S 5 string will not maintain concert pitch. How do I fix it?. Do I replace the peg? or try some lower tuning?.Doesn't seem to be much point in that as it would put me out of tune with everybody else?.Advise urgently sought. Mariner.

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: jeepman (inactive)
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 04:06 PM

Replace peg. Jman

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 04:06 PM

You'll find a little screw on the bit you turn - gently tighten it until the problem goes away (or the peg breaks!!).

Cheaper than new pegs!

Most banjo pegs are 'friction' rather than 'machine' - it pays to strip them down, clean them, and put them back together. Not only don't they slip (when correctly adjusted), but they tune more easily.

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,Bill in Alabama
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 06:03 PM

If the problem continues, replace the tuning pegs. I would recommend replacing all of them (actually, Have them replaced) with a better grade peg. I prefer the geared fifth peg, and recommend that you get one. This is not a cheap solution, but it's a good one.

Bill

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,Les B
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 02:53 PM

Any good banjo repair kit should have sturdy wire cutters, a tire iron, and a blow-torch !

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Doctor John
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 03:04 PM

Alabama Bill, Can you get a geared 5th peg: I've never seen one. My banjo has (non traditional!) 4 geared pegs and the 5th is a friction peg which slips. I'll look out for one and replace it. Dr John

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,JW
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 03:13 PM

Stewart MacDonald Co. Athens Ohio, has geared 5th string tuners and old timey friction style tuners, or for about 90.00, you can get a great set of 20's style waverly tuners complete with iveroid buttons. call 1-800-848-2273 for a catalogue--

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Bernard
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 07:33 PM

Mine is a Schaller geared 5th, and I've also got Schaller 'Scruggs Pegs' on the 2nd and 3rd, with standard Schaller geared pegs on the 1st and 4th.

Don't know where you'd find them 'across the pond', though...

I also have a large screw right in the middle of the back of the reflector, which neatly fits in a 'birthmark' I have on my beer gut, and stops the banjo sliding around!!

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 12:05 AM

If you have the old-fashioned friction pegs, try an application of "peg dope"; it comes in a stick like lipstick, and is a compound of rosin (to increase friction) and chalk or talc (to keep it from sticking altogether). Fiddle players use it pretty regularly, and most reputable music shops should have it. It's a little pricey, but unless you are a full time pro, a stick should last about a lifetime.

If geared "machines", see previous good suggestions.

I don't know how fancy your banjo is, but I'm inclined to use salvaged tuning machines from local Luthier (they usually will have at least one cigar box full) or busted guitars from the dump. Take one side off of a plectrum guitar, hacksaw the plate to seperate the tuning machines, and screw em up to the bottom of your banjo head with the handles sticking out so's ye can muckle on to 'em and crank her up.

If ye wanna get fancy, ye can file the corners off and pretty 'em up a bit. Works for me!

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: NH Dave
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 10:34 AM

Another thought to the "peg dope" solution. Most sporting goods shops have bags of powdered rosin, used by pitchers to get a good grip on baseballs or by weight lifters to control the weights. These bags aren't too expensive and would provide more friction to your peg. Or if you're really strapped, harvest some powdered rosin from the face of a friend's fiddle.

Dve

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 07:07 AM

What's the reason the drone string is shorter?

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: BanjoRay
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 07:53 AM

It's because a possum gut's exactly long enough for four and a half strings.
Ray

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 07:55 AM

?

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 08:24 AM

Mr Happy-

The drone string is typically pitched higher than the other four strings on 5-string banjos and it would break if it were the same length as the others; shortening a string permits it to be tuned to a higher pitch with less tension. Pretty neat, yes? Capo's operate on the same principle.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 09:03 AM

Charley Noble,

Thanks for explanation

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: banjoman
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 08:36 AM

Where are you located - if I can help? I suggest replacing with aset of new tuning pegs, but make sure they fit as you don't want to be carving big holes in your banjo to make them fit.

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: Bernard
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 05:47 PM

Erm... about seven years too late with that offer, Banjoman!!

;o)

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,tap happy
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 07:36 PM

Why not leave it in the back of an unlocked car, you might just get another!

TH

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,Marty
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 11:45 PM

I had some slipping friction tuners on an old Vega. The adjustment screws were cranked all the way in. I took the tuners apart and added a washer to give the screw a little more travel. Four tuners given a new lease on life for less than a dollar! Much more fun than buying new.
Also Elderly has a nice selection banjo parts, including straight and right-angle geared fifth pegs. elderly.com on the 'net
Good luck.
Marty

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: banjoman
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 08:26 AM

OOps sorry about that - I will from now on read the date on each thread - anyway if necessary the offer still stands but the string will have slipped a lot in seven years
Pete

Subject: RE: Help with a 5 string banjo
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 01:30 PM

Anyone needing advice on banjos should visit and join the banjo hangout - Google it.