daytripper - Posted - 04/10/2011:  23:22:54

Hi all

I'm very tempted by a nice Tranjo 6.1 but have just a couple of questions regarding setup

I'm a novice when it comes to set up. How easy is the Tranjo to maintain..? There seems to be lots f tuning/ retuning, bridge alignment etc., and the strings look like they might be awkward to change.

Could someone please put my mind at rest around these things..?

Thanks
marc

Coonskin - Posted - 04/10/2011:  23:33:25

Tranjo???

Andy McC - Posted - 04/10/2011:  23:53:28

quote:

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Originally posted by Coonskin

Tranjo???

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Yes Tranjo. Googling gives you

tranjo.com/

tranjo.com/

Edited by - Andy McC on 04/10/2011 23:59:25

Sally Goodin - Posted - 04/11/2011:  03:20:32

I have a GOLDTONE Tranjo - had it for about 2 years so that I could put it in a 21" carry-on and go to Yellow Stone for a bus trip.  I    L O V E    it for what it is designed for.   When not traveling, I keep it set up and in my car so that I can pick during lunch breaks, etc. For a travel banjo, the Tranjo is FABULOUS.  It plays true, has a perfect neck, all the frets you need for those up the neck breaks, etc.   As far as ease of set up, it does have some differences from traditional banjos that you will need to adjust to.  For example, I always was turning the tuning knobs in the wrong direction, so I ended up putting a lable (from my lable maker) on each knob - 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 with a direction arrow (>).  This helped greatly to just locate the string needing tuning and then turning the knob in the correct direction..  I have never had a string break during breaking it apart or setting it up, however I am careful to not totally bend the strings so that there are kinks in them.  It is fast and easy to assemble, but you do have to spend a few seconds adjusting the bridge if you want those upper frets to sound true.  If you know how to set a bridge then it is exactly the same; if you do not know how to set a bridge - it is easy to learn and a skill I highly recommend whether or not you buy a tranjo.   For string changes, I bought a string winder that is made for a mandolin - not a guitar - it is smaller and allows you to get it onto the tuning knob easily for fast winding.  Again, there is a learning curve to string changes, but if you REALLY need a tranjo, it is worth the time and effort!     

Kstevensmd - Posted - 04/11/2011:  04:33:59

Check out the Travel Banjo group and leave a posting there; you might get some advice!

banjohangout.org/group/travelbanjo

Grinnin&Pickin - Posted - 04/11/2011:  06:29:22

I really like my Tranjo 6.0.  It's lightweight and breaks down easy.  For air travel I separate the neck and body and pack the neck in my checked baggage and put the body in my carry on.  I was told the TSA would consider the neck a "club" and therefore might not let you carry it on the plane with you.  Rather than take the chance, I have always packed the neck and body separately.  My tranjo has the "silent head" option on it which allows me to play in hotel rooms and outdoors without getting complaints from others.

For tuning, because the Trango does not have a peghead to attach a clip on tuner to,  I use a clip on transducer microphone that I clip on to the wooden bridge.  You can find one here: elderly.com/new_instruments/items/ATC.htm  It plugs into my Korg  TM-40 Digital Metronome/Tuner (korg.com/product.aspx?&pd=209) and you can tune the Tranjo just like any other clip on tuner.

TR Dockery - Posted - 04/11/2011:  06:53:25

I have had mine for two years now and I love it.  I live in hotel rooms so I also have the silent mesh head on mine.  I also never break mine down--no need.  Fully assembled, it still fits in overhead compartments on regional jets.  I do have to carry needle nose pliers and wire cutters for changing strings but I have only broken two so far.  I have never had the tools confiscated domestically but Korean Air Lines took them from me coming back from there last fall. 

Happy trails,

Randy in Germantown, TN

sdfarris - Posted - 04/11/2011:  07:48:20

The Gold Tone Tranjos still  use the conventional guitar tuners and string rollers. That setup works fine, especially with a string winder and pliers to help with the tight spaces. The new and inproved 6.1 and 8.1 Tranjo design (not available from Gold Tone) now uses Steinberger gearless tuners, which have eliminated the rollers, firmly lock the strings in place without tangling or unraveling, and tune to pitch in just a few turns without a string winder. Pictures and details are available at my web site tranjo.com, and more details on the Steinberger tuners can be found here: stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar...s#details

Thanks for all the positive comments, everyone!

Sam Farris

daytripper - Posted - 04/11/2011:  13:35:14

cheers for the speedy replies. The silent head would keep a lot of people happy, both in my house and in any hotel I wind up in. How easy is it to swap from the silent head to a regular heard. Again, bear in mind I have no expereince of these things...\

ta

sdfarris - Posted - 04/11/2011:  14:55:50

With the new Tranjo 6.1 design, swapping heads only takes a minute or two and you don't even have to remove the strings.

Coonskin - Posted - 04/12/2011:  12:42:05

That's pretty neato!

Grum - Posted - 04/20/2011:  05:52:30

I love my Tranjo 6 but would like a 6.1 for the tuner improvement. Is it any good? Certainly. It's a full scale neck so plays in open G. It's quieter than a normal banjo - just perfect for hotel rooms and home use without a mute. I can connect my clip on tuners to the end of the neck  even though there's no "head" to clip to.

I keep my Stelling in one end of the house and the Tranjo in my home office up the other end. Whichever room I'm in, I play that banjo. It's not a novelty banjo. It's the real thing. I've flown it to Italy (from Australia) and carried it by motorbike from Sydney to Brisbane (2,200km round trip). Later this year I'm riding the Harley (2006, 35th Anniversary model SuperGlide) to Darwin (8,400km return) and am seriously considering taking it. Makes lonely nights in motel rooms a little more productive.

As far as tuning/retuning goes - it's a slightly more bothersome to tune after disassembly than a normal banjo, but holds it's tune very well once there. I disassemble mine for international travel but leave it together when on the bike, otherwise I'm wasting time reassembling and tuning every night rather than playing it. Changing strings and locating the bridge are not a problem - mark bridge location with a fine pencil line.

Edited by - Grum on 04/20/2011 05:57:28

daytripper - Posted - 05/03/2011:  08:13:41

Sam has furnished me with prices for the spec I'm looking at. Would these prices have US Sales Tax added on top..? I would have the thing delivered to a US address but take it back to the UK almost immediately...

thanks

marc

sdfarris - Posted - 05/03/2011:  12:52:10

Sales tax applies only if shipped to a Tennessee address in the US.

daytripper - Posted - 05/03/2011:  13:00:23

Thanks Sam - you have a new order..!