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04 Jun 08 - 10:18 PM (#2357803) Subject: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: GUEST,TIA Long intro to short question: Been playing a long neck open back (completely unworthy, but it's the one Pete Seeger reportedly uses). Been okay with no capo, but now we have a singer (youngest daughter...proud,proud,proud [sorry]), so I have to put things in singable keys. I am considering a Shubb 5th string capo (the thingie that lives permanently on a slide), even though it is not "old timey", and Earl used tacks. Any downside to these things? Thanks (as always) for any expert advice (I am a total rookie hack). Tim |
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04 Jun 08 - 10:56 PM (#2357830) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: Anglo The tacks most people use are HO gauge model railroad spikes. They work fine. On a regular banjo I put them in at the 7th and 10th frets (the 5th string starts at the 5). I get a professional to do it. If you do it yourself you need to drill a hole first, put in the spike with a tiny dab of glue, and use something like a nailfile under the heel of the spike so you don't drive it in too far. The string has to clip under it. I'll often tune the 5th string up as much as a minor 3rd (3 frets equivalent) to avoid using it. I also have another banjo with a Shubb capo. I also had someone put that in for me as well. It works fine too. I find it visually confusing when I move up the neck. Especially if it's sitting unused (at the 6th fret). But it works. Hope this helps. |
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04 Jun 08 - 11:13 PM (#2357848) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: JedMarum I much prefer a 5th string capo and in fact, the Shubb 5th string capo is the best. I'd have it installed too. Any competent guitar repairman could do the job well, quickly - for a few bucks. Spikes can be trickier to install, fussier to use and are much more damaging to the instrument. I know some folks have banjos and know-how to manage through those disadvantages, but I wouldn't do it again. I've done it both ways for multiple banjo. The 5th string capo, especially a good like the Shubb is by far my preference. |
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04 Jun 08 - 11:14 PM (#2357849) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: GUEST,TIA Yup. Does help a bit. I know for sure I will have a pro do it -- whichever way I go. One question - when un-used, how close is it to the 5th string peg? or can you push it anywhere un-used? |
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04 Jun 08 - 11:17 PM (#2357851) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: GUEST,TIA Ooops-cross posted with Mr. Marum. Thanks for the tips. I am leaning strongly to the Shubb. One more question...they have a "standard' and "long" slider bar. Does one (you?) ever go far enough up that the log is worth it? |
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05 Jun 08 - 02:32 AM (#2357914) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: Anglo You can put the unused Shubb capo anywhere on its slider. It only engages when you screw it down. Mine is a standard (on a regular banjo). I suppose on a long neck you might want to use the long one but I have no experience with that. |
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05 Jun 08 - 03:14 AM (#2357932) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: mandotim The Shubb 'long' slider was designed in reponse to long-neck players, who need that extra reach to get into certain keys. I use a Shubb on my bluegrass banjo, and it works fine, without getting in the way. Tim |
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05 Jun 08 - 04:03 AM (#2357952) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: Geoff the Duck TIA - there was a recent discussion on capoes (is that the plural? or should it be capos?) - I think someone was asking about capoing the 5th string for a left handed banjo. The subject was covered in quite a lot of detail including suggestions by some of us who do not wish to drill, screw or nail ANTYHING into an undamaged banjo neck. There were descriptions of more than one method of capoing your banjo without having to use either a screw-on capo or the railroad spike method. Try a quick thread title search and have a read before making your decision. Quack! Geoff the Duck. |
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05 Jun 08 - 06:00 AM (#2358036) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: Geoff the Duck This One... Quack! GtD. |
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05 Jun 08 - 09:04 AM (#2358200) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: GUEST,TIA Got it. Thanks ever so... |
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05 Jun 08 - 09:22 AM (#2358214) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: JedMarum For a long neck banjo, I would use the long capo. |
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05 Jun 08 - 09:38 AM (#2358220) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: GUEST,DonMeixner I have the long slider on my Ode long neck five. Wouldn't be with out it. Don |
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05 Jun 08 - 10:31 AM (#2358263) Subject: RE: banjo: 5th string capo or tacks? From: Mark Clark I've posted over on the other (related) thread as well. - Mark |