The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Other Musical Instruments

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 09-01-2014, 11:09 AM
BoneDigger's Avatar
BoneDigger BoneDigger is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 7,184
Default 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
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-01-2014, 01:12 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Staten Island, NY - for now
Posts: 14,985
Default

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...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-12-2014, 06:35 PM
BoneDigger's Avatar
BoneDigger BoneDigger is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 7,184
Default

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
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-12-2014, 08:09 PM
Dan Carey Dan Carey is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: RI
Posts: 3,084
Default

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!
__________________
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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-12-2014, 08:35 PM
leftybanjo leftybanjo is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: boerne, tx
Posts: 809
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-12-2014, 09:06 PM
bohemian bohemian is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: State of Jefferson
Posts: 3,508
Default

I have a normal neck.

I have never found the need for a long neck banjo, an unnecessary affection little used.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-13-2014, 09:02 AM
BoneDigger's Avatar
BoneDigger BoneDigger is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 7,184
Default

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
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-13-2014, 05:40 PM
leftybanjo leftybanjo is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: boerne, tx
Posts: 809
Default

Enjoy tour long neck instrument!!! Pete Seeger and John Hartford gave us some wonderful music, play and find your own voice.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-13-2014, 10:54 AM
john bange john bange is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: seattle
Posts: 338
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BoneDigger View Post
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
they are fun...I have had a couple of SS-5's and I enjoyed them...nice and light. they can be heard in a living room jam or campfire, just fine.

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
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-17-2014, 12:20 AM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Chugiak, Alaska
Posts: 31,166
Default

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
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-17-2014, 08:06 AM
BoneDigger's Avatar
BoneDigger BoneDigger is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 7,184
Default

Thanks guys! I quite like the long neck. It really fits in well with my music.

Todd
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-17-2014, 06:08 PM
syrynx syrynx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Homesick Texan in Maryland
Posts: 389
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by john bange View Post
Bohemian's comments sound uninformed
They read that way, too.
__________________
John

Pictures of musical instruments are like sculptures of food.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Other Musical Instruments

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=