greenepickins - Posted - 05/30/2012:  08:52:58

Hey everyone. I purchased a Gold Tone OT-800LN yesterday at the factory. Instantly I am HOOKED! It is a great banjo through and througha nd overall by far my favorite that I have ever owned.

So my question is, how would the chords be played? Say if I were to use the finger position for a C chord as I would if I were tuned to an open G, then what chord would I be playing if I were tuned regular on a longneck (in a longneck standard tuning with no capo) playing the same finger position of a C chord as in open G?

Sorry, I know it sounds confusing but I really need help on this! Thanks for reading.

rickhayes - Posted - 05/30/2012:  08:58:39

You would be playing an A chord; three half-steps or frets down for the extra 3 frets of the long neck.

greenepickins - Posted - 05/30/2012:  09:01:37

Thanks rickhayes. It is gonna take a bit of getting used to but I am hooked on this tuning from the start!
I need to figure out the rest of the chords.

Seansvoice - Posted - 05/30/2012:  09:14:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by greenepickins

Thanks rickhayes. It is gonna take a bit of getting used to but I am hooked on this tuning from the start!

I need to figure out the rest of the chords.

---

 If you have an iPhone or other smart phone get Guitar Toolkit...not only a tuner for guitar, banjo and more...but also an adviser of scales and chords. In fact when you stuble on a chord that you like you can place the notes in the virtual fretboard for instant ID!

That 800 is a great instrument...enjoy the long neck!

minstrelmike - Posted - 05/30/2012:  09:20:35

There is a difference between knowing relative chords and actual named chords.

I think you're better off learning relative ones at first. Makes it easier to play actual songs.

Play G/C/D in closed chord forms. Play G/C at 5th fret (8th fret 1st string on a longneck) and play D one fret lower.

You can use that chord collection to play any 3-chord song in any key

(Move up two frets to play in A, down two to play in F.

Another eye-opener. Don't waste a lot of time learning open chords such as C: 2012 or E: 2102

There are three chord forms in openG tuning.

The F-shape. Slide it down fret by fret until you have to lift the index finger and you end up with the open E chord.

The D-shape. Slide it down until you have to raise the index finger and it becomes an open C chord.

greenepickins - Posted - 05/30/2012:  09:20:40

Thanks seansvoice!
I do not have an iPhone but now I know what I am getting next! That seems very handy.
And yes, It sure is a great instrument. The sound it projects is absolutely amazing.

john bange - Posted - 05/30/2012:  09:36:52

gonna link this thread to the long neck group...welcome, you bought a great banjo

kwfolk1 - Posted - 05/30/2012:  13:32:54

Greenepickins, congratulations on your longneck!  If you haven't already, make sure to join the longneck group.

 As for chords & keys, you can also check out any of the websites that that feature the Circle of Fifths.  A G chord on a standard, 22 fret banjo 5-string becomes an E chord on a 25 fret longneck,as does a C chord translate into an A chord.  There's also the capo to consider.

Chris 

Edited by - kwfolk1 on 05/30/2012 13:34:46

greenepickins - Posted - 05/30/2012:  16:27:29

Thank you kwfolk1. I actually joined today. I am going to look into the Circle of Fifths right now.

lawdawg1 - Posted - 05/31/2012:  07:30:39

quote:Sean - does the Guitar Kit app have chords for the banjo, as well as guitar?

---

Originally posted by Seansvoice

quote:

---

Originally posted by greenepickins

Thanks rickhayes. It is gonna take a bit of getting used to but I am hooked on this tuning from the start!

I need to figure out the rest of the chords.

---

 If you have an iPhone or other smart phone get Guitar Toolkit...not only a tuner for guitar, banjo and more...but also an adviser of scales and chords. In fact when you stuble on a chord that you like you can place the notes in the virtual fretboard for instant ID!

That 800 is a great instrument...enjoy the long neck!

---

Helix - Posted - 05/31/2012:  16:51:50

Now you're a longnecketeer, little kids and dogs will follow you around.

Longnecks rule

( ))===='=== ::}

Common Tater - Posted - 06/04/2012:  17:45:45

I've had two of them and greatly miss them both.  This, of course, means that I'll buy another one as soon as that distant ship comes in.

CT

UncleClawhammer - Posted - 06/04/2012:  18:32:12

I don't mean to hijack this thread but it seemed the best place to ask without cluttering up the forum: Can regular strings be used on a longneck or do you need special strings? I'm thinking about getting a longneck. (Also a Gold Tone, but a WL-250.)

Edited by - UncleClawhammer on 06/04/2012 18:33:29

phdm - Posted - 06/04/2012:  21:12:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by UncleClawhammer

I don't mean to hijack this thread but it seemed the best place to ask without cluttering up the forum: Can regular strings be used on a long neck or do you need special strings? I'm thinking about getting a long neck. (Also a Gold Tone, but a WL-250.)

---

Because the neck is longer, I think is is generally agreed that you need somewhat heavier guage strings than ones you might use on a regular banjo, to avoid string buzzing.  For the last 40 years, on both my Vega Folklore and my Vega Pete Seeger long neck models, I have used the following guages (from 1st to 5th)  - .010, .013, .018, .026 wound, .010.  I have them made up by from D'Addario single strings, after Vega/Martin ceased making their Folk Extra Long sets of this guage.  You also need to make sure that the strings you buy are long enough, even if they are the guage you want.  Certain makers' strings are not long enough.  I know D'Addario are.  And once you settle on a set of strings that works well for you, you should stick with it, as a change in the string guage can affect the entire setup of your banjo.

Good luck.

vega long neck - Posted - 06/05/2012:  13:36:18

Seems there was a nice thread about strings gauge and length last week. Anyone remember where it was?

Helix - Posted - 06/07/2012:  06:08:42

Use light or medium strings on a longneck, it's just fine, I found that Martin strings of all things are too short, the winding on the 4th string stops just before the nut, they overlooked it,.

cbuedel - Posted - 06/24/2012:  14:05:35

my dad had the gibson RB-175 and I remember he would always the 4th or the 5th string on it. I guess that is why he traded it to Stuart Duncan for a fiddle.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 06/24/2012:  22:36:40

You can use any gauge string you like on a long neck - you only have to make sure they are going to be LONG enough. Back in the 60s when longneck Vegas were de-rigour for folk singers every banjo string on the market was long enough for them, but as they have become much rarer most string companies now make only standard length strings. Considering the Seeger model was based on a 27 inch scale (longer than most current banjos right there) it is a major savings for them not having every package contain 40 + inch strings.

What gauge strings you like will be a influenced by a combination of factors, including bridge height, neck angle and the all important - Feel!

I suggest you start with lights or medium lights - like 10, 24, 16, 13, 10, and if they feel too light move up to the next size.

Strings are cheap and they are also the quickest way to change your instrument's sound, so try out all sorts of types and sizes over the next few months and find out exactly what strings You like.

Edited by - oldwoodchuckb on 06/24/2012 22:39:55

pastorharry - Posted - 06/27/2012:  01:22:14

I know for a fact that OME, GHS,and John Pearse strings are all long enough for the longer scale length....I prefer mediums on a long neck, as lights fell real floppy to me.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 06/27/2012:  01:48:46

When I last worked for a music store we carried Ernie Ball Loop End Banjo Singles because they were long enough for a Seeger model. We also carried Ernie Ball Ball End Guitar Singles because they were long enough for a 12 string guitar - even one with a line of Rotomatics on a 10 inch peghead.

maryzcox - Posted - 06/27/2012:  03:26:19

Don't be afraid to tune this banjo in E and play without a capo. Go for the medium strings. With the right set up, this can be an awesome banjo :)
:)
Mzc

Parkpicker - Posted - 06/29/2012:  12:25:13

I use John Pearce long neck strings from Elderly Instruments. No buzzing and they last a long time. Mary Z is right. I usually tune in E and seldom use a capo.

TonyS - Posted - 07/22/2012:  07:51:52

Thanks all for the advise. Remember, we have a LongNeck Group here on the hangout!

boulderfolkie - Posted - 10/01/2012:  14:39:45

So that my bandmates don't have to wait for me, I leave my ODE in open 'G' 99% of the time and use the capo. "Drinking Gourd" and " Four Rode By" are the exceptions. For solo work, I can take my bloody time :-).
Can't remember what strings I use; haven't changed 'em in three years.....well, maybe a year....I guess my fingers just don't get all that greasy and I haven't hit the "drooling years" yet. Methinks they're medium Pearse.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 10/01/2012:  15:43:34

I use light gauge strings on my Seeger long neck. I don't find them floppy at all, and find them much easier on my left hand. I find mediums hard to play with the banjo uncapoed. My left hand starts to hurt pretty fast.

shannonhearne - Posted - 12/12/2012:  15:39:53

Conngratulations on the GT OT 800LN.

Its a nice banjo and one of my favorite long necks.

Has an excellent neck.


Enjoy, -shannon