Websites for long neck 5 string

Subject: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 05:40 PM

Does anyone know of websites that feature long-neck five string banjos ala Pete Seeger?

Also, has anyone experimented with a wider bridge on it with the strings a little farther apart than standard distance?

Frank

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: DonMeixner
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 10:00 PM

Frank,

Because I flat pick mt banjo as much as frail it I have a fairly wide bridge that I like very much. It is a compensated bridge with a wide "V" pattern to it That is to say it taper back towards the center of the bridge. And it is a little wider than a standard Grover No Tip type bridge.

I haven't seen a web site for us long neck 5 players.

Don

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 11:09 PM

Check out

Banjo Hangout

You will have to regiser, but it is the most comprehensive banjo site that I have found. Go to the "All Other Styles" section.

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: cool hand Tom
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 11:21 PM

LONG LIVE THE LONGNECK.i luv em.what longnecks you got folks ??

      Regards Tom

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: cool hand Tom
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 03:03 PM

I also recommend the banjo hangout,loads of resources,reviews ect.There once was a site for long neck banjos but i dont recall the name.Maybe someone who has some web knowledge could make one id be a member.
          Regards Tom

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: thespionage
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 05:15 PM

I love my Gold Tone Maple Mountain long-neck. http://www.goldtone.com. I'd send you the specific link in a "blue clicky," but the site seems to be temporarily down.

Russ

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 07:00 PM

Thanks Don,

Do you think that the string distance on your bridge is as wide as some of the Gibson bridges that were used in the 60's? Do you have measurements for the string spacing? Is the neck of your banjo wide enough to accomodate a wide string spacing?

Thanks Steve and all for the Banjo Hangout. I'll try it.

Frank

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: jimmyt
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 07:08 PM

our banjo player plays a long neck Vega Pete Seegar model

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: michaelr
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:54 PM

Frank -- check out the Yahoo group Fretted Friends. Several longneckers hang out there.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 05:01 AM

I currently play a Gold Tone Whyte Lady Long neck and recomend Banjo Hangout as a great resource centre.
With a fifth string capo and a decent banjo capo, I find this the most versatile instrument in terms of playability. My only problem is arthritis in my back & shoulder (years of playing banjo) and I have adapted a holding position which eases the problem a bit.
It seems there are enough long neck players on this forum to start some sort of on line group provided one of us has the technical skill
Keep plucking

Pete

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: cool hand Tom
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 11:06 AM

I have had many long neck banjos from a gibson RB175 to a tony sullivan model made in maccalsfield.I have now secured a merlin long neck banjo which to me is my all time best type.Im just in the process of paying for it and getting it shipped here to UK.i know of many banjo players who hate the long necks but to me allways a place in my heart for them.

On many banjo sites discussion ect i often come across long neck players and it would be great to have a place to post advice, setting up tips,pics ect.I just wish i had the pc knowledge to develop such a site as it seems longnecks are becoming more popular.I was going to get a Wildwood heirloom longneck but the waiting list was 5 months,just goes to show how many are being sold.Anyway who among us has the technical skill OWN UP.

Take care guys and lets not poke any eyes out when we turn up to agig.

         Regards Tom.

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 12:01 PM

Thanks, Micheal. I signed on.

Right, Pete and Tom, there needs to be a special site.

Tom, when I played with the Weavers in '63 I used to swing the banjo neck toward Lee Hay's head. Almost nailed him a couple of times. We used one mic in those days and had to choreograph in and out. No eyes poked out though.

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: cool hand Tom
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 06:55 PM

Hi
    You must have some great memories having played with the weavers Frank.I recall many times knocking beers of tables with my longneck at a few sessions,seems when you play a standard neck for a while and go back to longneck you forget the extra 3 frets.

it amazed me when i sold my framus long neck on Ebay how many longneck enthusiasts there are out there.Im just wondering if the banjo hangout would have a place for Longneck discussion ect,maybe i shall email the site owner and see what he says.

Take care folks and lets hope something will come of this.

       Regards Tom.

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 05:19 PM

Tom, that's a great idea. I just joined Hangout and it's a valuable source.
They ought to have a special section for us longneckers.

Micheal, thanks for Fretted Friends. That looks great too.

I learned to play banjo years ago from a guy named Eddie Mann who lived in the L.A. area. He showed me the "bump ditty" basic strum. Then I heard a few other players who were around L.A.. I perfected the "bump ditty" in a boxcar traveling through the San Joaquim Valley en route to San Francisco with Herb Cohen, former manager of Ronstadt and Frank Zappa's first band. I had this old clunker Bacon-like and practiced until I could get a "Cripple Creek" out of it.

One night in Santa Monica, I went to a party at Will Geer's home where Pete Seeger was playing. The Weavers just got blacklisted (1952 or 3?) and they were finishing up a stint at a posh nightclub on the Sunset Strip called Ciros. They were there except for Lee who rarely went to parties. Pete sat down and played with these picks which shone in the light and matched the exciting bright ringing sounds he got out of the banjo. I was blown away. Then I became one of the legions of Seeger followers and still am. I think Pete, Peggy Seeger and Erik Darling defined the playing of that instrument for me even before Dave Guard came on the scene. Alex Hassilev has done very well with it although I think he's more a guitar type. (A great guitarist). He plays both well, actually.

Later I met Tony Saletan and Dave Sear who also played long neck extremely well. Of course, there was Bob Gibson. He was very smooth. Influenced the KT a lot. Bob got a lot of his stuff from Erik. I hear George Grove is very good though I've not heard him.

Then the Bluegrass and Old-Time put the long neck into mothballs. But I always preferred the longneck and considered Pete and Erik the most innovative of the players.

Now, there's a new generation. Mark Dvorak of Weavermania and the folks with Work O' The Weavers play great.

Who are some of the other longneckers around these days?

Frank

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:47 PM

The Banjo Hangout is made up of primarily Scruggs style players. But there is an "All Other Styles" section. I'm sure that the folks there would be as friendly and helpful as the Bluegrassers are. Funny, I have never had a long neck in my hands. I'd like to try one some day.

Enjoy the Hangout.

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: thespionage
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 12:29 AM

Frank, I am honored to be conversing with you. I am a new longnecker, I'm 19, and I am learning from Dave Sear. (I am SO glad I came in contact with him!)

Russ

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: thespionage
Date: 10 Mar 05 - 01:53 AM

Frank (et al) - I was talking to Dave about an idea I had. I'm not sure if someone's done it before, but I think there ought to be a six-string banjo that, instead of being tuned like a guitar, have it be a sixth string added to a five-string. It ought to be tuned to E open (or capoed down, whichever term is better). What do you think?

Russ

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Bruce Duncan
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 08:41 PM

I have a Framus long neck in VG to excellent condition. Can some one give me a ball park as to what it is worth? Tom, I see you sold one on Ebay. Mind telling me whatcha got?

BD

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: cool hand Tom
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 09:05 PM

The value of them seems to be about i got just over 400 usd of course mine sold for pounds,but they are fetching more as time goes on.Seems every time i see one on ebay it fetches more.Mine had rusty metalwork too.has yours got a serial no on the back of the peghead,i think mine ended with 64 or had 64 somewhere there.If yours has one you can date it.Lovely banjos in my opinion with agreat sound too.

          Regards Tom

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Bigfolker
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 09:57 PM

Hi all, can someone explain the origins idea behind the long neck 5 string, ei hows it tuned etc

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Bruce Duncan
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 10:44 PM

Thanks Tom.

That's about what I was thinking - around $500US. Mine is in great shape - has serial number ending in 69 D. As you say, these are great sounding instruments and quite undervalued.

BD

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 11:20 PM

Hi Pete seeger devolep the idea of the Longneck by adding 3 extra frets to the standard 5 string.instead of the longneck being in open G tuning u just tune the longneck down to open E.just gives you more range to sing to etc and by capoin up 3 frets you get back to open G.

Regards Tom

Subject: RE: Websites for long neck 5 string
From: GUEST,Bigfolker
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 01:25 PM

So where does the fifth string begin? 8th fret?