Help me install my banjo neck

August 6, 2006 5:40 PM

I recently purchased a new neck for my banjo and am now filled with anxiety about installing it - that's major surgery! I'm especially confused about the truss rod.

If I have a friend who builds electric guitars professionally put the new neck on my banjo will he know what he's doing? Is the truss rod what actually holds the neck on? My banjo was apparently cobbled together from random parts, so I don't really know what's standard.
Also, what about switching from a truss rod to a wooden dowel like in an open-backed banjo? It would involve drilling a bigger hole in the pot to accomodate the dowel - thoughts on how it would affect the sound. I mostly play through an amp anyway, so it's not that big of a deal but I want it to still sound like, you know, a banjo.

posted by smartyboots to sports, hobbies, & recreation (5 comments total)

banjohangout.org is the best banjo website with extensive forums that cover any and all things related to banjo. All of your question can be answered there with a quick search.

I have taken apart a banjo or two and it's not like a guitar. They are just bolted together. Don't be too intimidated. Dive in and do it. You will learn a lot about your instrument.
posted by wsg at 6:24 PM on August 6, 2006

Can't you just take it to a music store?
posted by borkingchikapa at 8:26 PM on August 6, 2006

The truss rod is there to take out any subtle warping that might creep into the neck - not good to mess with around with. Drilling out the neck to accommodate a dowel seems like overkill . . .

If you really care about the instrument I'd bring it to a professional. Otherwise, let your pal have at it.
posted by aladfar at 9:23 PM on August 6, 2006

Find a good acoustric instrument shop in your area - call up a local bluegrass band for advice on who. Electric guitar repair guys are often out of their element working on banjo anatomy.

A lot of the best instruments I have played were cobbled out of old banjos, but the angle and set of the neck is the single most important factor in playability. If you are in the SF area, there should be lots of pro luthiers who can do your banjo justice.
posted by zaelic at 12:50 AM on August 7, 2006

Since you're in the SF bay area, I'd take it to Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto. The repair people there are fantastic.
posted by plinth at 5:55 AM on August 7, 2006