gkella - Posted - 10/03/2009:  08:35:37

I was Bela the other night in Toronto.
He had a wooden armrest on his banjo.
Maybe a stupid question..
Is this just an asthetic thing or would a wooden armrest affect the tone in any way?
I loved the look of it.
Thanks Glen

george craciun - Posted - 10/03/2009:  08:46:57

Wooden armrests are great. They do not affect the tone in any way. They do add unfading beauty and utility to any banjo, i.e. they never tarnish (as the metallic ones do) add essentially no weight to an already heavy banjo (as metal rests do), and they never give you dermititus or a rash (as metal ones can do). I have wooden rests on my 3 banjos, and they will be there as long as I own the banjos, and probably much longer. They can be purchasses from Janet Davis Music or Elderly Instruments.

Back Porch Picker

banjoal79 - Posted - 10/03/2009:  08:52:12

I'm almost positive that the wooden armrest Bela uses on his banjos is from Nechville.

stormoveroklahoma - Posted - 10/03/2009:  08:55:13

For me...the metal armrests kept making my wrist ache. That's why I switched to wood.
I use the same one Bela uses "Cocobolo Wood" on my Gibson re-issue. It's way more comfortable for my wrist anyway. It's called "The Comfort Bevel" Armrest.

Storm

Wooden armrests, compensated bridges, and SS frets are the wave to the future

Edited by - stormoveroklahoma on 10/03/2009 08:56:23

Pink Eye - Posted - 10/03/2009:  10:32:44

quote:

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Originally posted by gkella

I was Bela the other night in Toronto.

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Helix - Posted - 10/03/2009:  16:38:08

They're broad and comfortable, 3 hours later, you don't have carpal-tunnel.

I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.

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goldtopia - Posted - 10/03/2009:  23:37:10

If you want an armrest without the cost you make and looks like real wood, any wood to match your banjo exactly. You do it a few pennies with vinyl. See http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...10&albumid=0

Bill.O

www.bluegrassminstrels.co.uk

goldtopia - Posted - 10/03/2009:  23:39:57

If you want an armrest without the cost you can make your own which looks like real wood, any wood to match the wood of your banjo exactly. It would only cost a few pennies with using wood patterned vinyl. See http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...10&albumid=0 This is on a Fitch Palomino

Bill.O

www.bluegrassminstrels.co.uk

gkella - Posted - 10/04/2009:  17:18:34

Thanks for the responses.
I love the armrests on the Neckville site.
I am asking my wife to order me one for a Christmas present.
I have a maple banjo.
I am hoping I can get one to match the wood.
Thanks again,
Glen

gkella - Posted - 10/05/2009:  15:34:34

For anyone in the Toronto area..
I was notified that the Twelfth Fret in Toronto is stocking the Comfort Bevel armrests.
Glen

impickin5 - Posted - 10/05/2009:  16:49:59

Earl never played a banjo with a wooden armrest. Nuff said.

"Where are we going and why am I in this hand basket"

Kstevensmd - Posted - 10/05/2009:  17:17:51

Hi Glen, the Nechville bilevel wooden arm rests are very comfortable and I think they really dress up a banjo. They install very easily with just a screwdriver. When you order one, ask your vendor to try and match the wood as best they can; usually they can come close if they happen to have several in stock. I know JanetDavidMusic.com and Banjo.com were very accommodating!

Ken Stevens
Grafton, MA

Edited by - Kstevensmd on 10/05/2009 17:18:22

rvrose - Posted - 10/05/2009:  17:57:59

Why do you need to rest if you have a wooden arm?

Sorry - couldn't resist...

goldtopia - Posted - 10/06/2009:  07:20:07

It seems people have a metal arm, so they would you a metal arm rest.

Bill.O

www.bluegrassminstrels.co.uk

PharmBoy - Posted - 10/06/2009:  10:22:55

Anyone have a pattern for a wooden armrest. My Deering has a pretty skimpy one, and I think I could handle making an armrest...

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There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

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