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  #1  
Old 04-24-2023, 09:10 PM
Playguitar Playguitar is offline
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Default Long 5th string banjo

I just finished building this long 5th string banjo. I am a guitar player and found the narrow necks and the 5th string tuner in the middle of the neck annoying. Also, I wanted a banjo with guitar tuners. 23 3/4" scale (I have shoulder issues and short scale is more comfortable for me to play).

I rolled the tension hoop from aluminum and machined the bracket shoes and tension nuts out of aluminum.

[img}https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7581/5r9nLI.jpg
[img]https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/3600/kEd8An.jpg
[img]https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/6914/Bd99U1.jpg
[img]https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/7453/OE146F.jpg
[img]https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/8460/tpDfIC.jpg
[img]https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/4715/Xq7911.jpg
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  #2  
Old 04-25-2023, 12:02 AM
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rick-slo rick-slo is offline
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I rolled the tension hoop from aluminum and machined the bracket shoes and tension nuts out of aluminum.














Nice work.
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Last edited by rick-slo; 04-25-2023 at 12:09 AM.
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Old 04-25-2023, 04:29 AM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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What a beautiful banjo and well done, too!
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Old 04-25-2023, 09:33 PM
Playguitar Playguitar is offline
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Thanks Rick-Slo and Sprucetop.

I also forgot to mention that I used carbon fiber neck reinforcing and it weighs just under 4 lbs.
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Old 04-26-2023, 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Playguitar View Post
Thanks Rick-Slo and Sprucetop.

I also forgot to mention that I used carbon fiber neck reinforcing and it weighs just under 4 lbs.
I use carbon fiber in a classical guitar neck I made back in 1970 and as you say very light. One guitar before that I used a cold rolled steel bar. Neither neck has budged.
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Old 04-27-2023, 10:18 AM
Playguitar Playguitar is offline
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Rick-Slo "I use carbon fiber in a classical guitar neck I made back in 1970 and as you say very light. One guitar before that I used a cold rolled steel bar. Neither neck has budged."

I also use carbon fiber reinforcing in the ukuleles I build. I have not tried it in my guitars because I thought people would not want a guitar without an adjustable truss rod. I know that with properly sized carbon fiber reinforcing the neck would be very stable.

This is the same reason I don't use a zero fret. Even thought an zero fret works well, people see them as inferior.

It is interesting to know that it has worked for an extended period of time in your guitar.

I figured people might accept it in a banjo because most every banjo player wants a lighter banjo.
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Old 06-09-2023, 06:49 PM
bluemoon bluemoon is offline
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I like the proper tuners on the headstock but also that’s a good looking unique banjo. I’ve been changing my guitar strings pretty much since the get go and banjo tuners definitely have taken some getting used to for restrings.

Also playing open back for the past couple years and having a blast.
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Old 06-10-2023, 11:42 PM
Playguitar Playguitar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluemoon View Post
I like the proper tuners on the headstock but also that’s a good looking unique banjo. I’ve been changing my guitar strings pretty much since the get go and banjo tuners definitely have taken some getting used to for restrings.

Also playing open back for the past couple years and having a blast.
On this build I used guitar tuners because I find the standard planetary banjo tuners so annoyingly sensitive to tune.

I agree, open back is a blast to play.
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Old 06-11-2023, 11:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Playguitar View Post
On this build I used guitar tuners because I find the standard planetary banjo tuners so annoyingly sensitive to tune.

I agree, open back is a blast to play.
Nice job on your Jo, Playguitar.

I switched over to higher ratio Grover Statite Deluxes many years ago for banjos. Mucho better!

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Old 06-14-2023, 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Rudy4 View Post
Nice job on your Jo, Playguitar.

I switched over to higher ratio Grover Statite Deluxes many years ago for banjos. Mucho better!

Thanks Rudy4. I am also very impressed with your work. I am sure real banjo players would prefer your tuners to my setup. I am more of a guitar player who really likes banjo, but still wanted my usual style tuners and a neck that felt more like a guitar.

If you are the same Rudy form the other forum. Your work and posts have helped me tremendously. I build guitars and ukuleles, but I had a lot to learn about banjos. Thank you.
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Old 06-14-2023, 07:50 AM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
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Originally Posted by Playguitar View Post
Thanks Rudy4. I am also very impressed with your work. I am sure real banjo players would prefer your tuners to my setup. I am more of a guitar player who really likes banjo, but still wanted my usual style tuners and a neck that felt more like a guitar.

If you are the same Rudy form the other forum. Your work and posts have helped me tremendously. I build guitars and ukuleles, but I had a lot to learn about banjos. Thank you.
Absolutely nothing wrong with your design choices. You have much in common with Kieth Richards who has been known for re-stringing a Tele and utilizing 5 string banjo tuning for some of his greatest work!

I am the "Rudy" from another popular banjo forum, glad you found my posted info to be of help!
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banjo, long 5th string, machined

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