#1
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Long neck banjo players?
I currently have one banjo tuned to open G and one tuned down to open F. I actually sing better in open F than I do in G and I love the tone. It does take some finesse due to the slack nature of the strings at that tuning. I was thinking that a nice long neck might be worth a try, and I gather those go down to E. Anyone here played one? I've never seen one in person. Is the long neck a hinderence? I enjoy playing my baritone guitar which has a longer neck.
Todd
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#2
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Have you tried heavier strings first - 13-16-24W-32W-12 (first to fifth) should work for a standard 26"+/- scale, as long as you don't make the mistake of trying to tune it up to standard tuning ; probably need a nut filing as well as truss/coordinator rod and head adjustment - I'd experiment with the cheaper of the two in case anything goes wrong, and leave the "good" banjo in standard tuning...
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#3
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Well, I bought a Vega SS-5 used and have been having a blast with it! I tuned it to low D and it really works with my singing voice. What a really fun instrument!
Todd
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#4
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I'd say try heavier strings before you decide. Then I'd say that Deering Banjos makes a Killer long neck banjo...the John Hartford model!
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Dan Carey (not Crary) A couple of guitars A Merida DG16 Classical Guitar A couple of banjos A Yueqin A Mountain Dulcimer that I built A Hammered Dulcimer that I'm currently building And a fiddle that I built! Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. |
#5
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I play a 90 year old tenor banjo, plectrum size neck. I tune it like a guitar and it is a lot of fun. I play with a celtic group and it has a great sound.
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#6
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I have a normal neck.
I have never found the need for a long neck banjo, an unnecessary affection little used. |
#7
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I still certainly enjoy playing my two standard scale 5-string banjos. One is an open back and one is a resonator banjo with a tone ring.
The long neck is simply great for singing along with. I am keeping it tuned to low D, which allows me to use standard open G picking/roll patterns and the same chord patterns, but still play in a key I can sing in. I can't do the high lonesome bluegrass sound very well. I certainly don't see the long neck as some aboration. It's just a variation of a theme. Just as the 5 string and tenor are both good, but different, types of banjos. Just as a baritone guitar can add diversity to your playing, so too can a long neck banjo. Todd
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#8
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Enjoy tour long neck instrument!!! Pete Seeger and John Hartford gave us some wonderful music, play and find your own voice.
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#9
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Quote:
many keys played in open G just by moving the capo. as I have aged, I find my vocal range has changed. the long neck really works well. Bohemian's comments sound uninformed
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Martin 0-18t tenor guitar Ode model 21 long neck banjo Zach Hoyt 10" baritone banjo/uke LoPrinzi model A baritone uke Kerry Bannister mahogany nui (big baritone) uke Kerry Bannister mahogany baritone uke Harmony baritone uke |
#10
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Todd, I've played some long neck banjos, though since my voice is in the tenor range, regular five string banjos actually fit my vocal register better.
But whatever works for you. Given the wide variety of banjo family instruments that exist, I find it rather comical that so many musicians seem to think that the only "real" banjo is a five string tuned in open G. The fact is that this particular iteration of the banjo is merely what happens to be most popular right now. This can (and probably WILL) change at some point. Wade Hampton Miller |
#11
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Thanks guys! I quite like the long neck. It really fits in well with my music.
Todd
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#12
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They read that way, too.
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John Pictures of musical instruments are like sculptures of food. |