coreyowen - Posted - 11/28/2011:  18:06:35

Hi all,

I have a Chuck Lee banjo with a raised 5th string pip--raises the string to the same height as the other strings, and thus is very nice to place over the scoop. Anyway, I'd like to install one of these in another banjo I have. The pip is right at the end of the fret, so it shouldn't be a problem. Anyone know where to find one of these raised pips? I checked Stew-Mac and had no luck. 

Thanks!!

Corey

banjonz - Posted - 11/28/2011:  18:44:07

stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles...;xsr=3870

I this is the one you have on your Lee banjo, Stewmac does have them!

Edited by - banjonz on 11/28/2011 18:45:53

aeroweenie - Posted - 11/28/2011:  18:45:58

Stew Mac has 5th string nuts, the bone one was tall enough for the fretless I just built.  If you want it even taller, you can buy bone or synthetic nut material and carve/sand it to the desired shape.  Or you could use a small wood screw or brass post of appropriate dimensions.  Or a small wooden dowel.  Lots of possibilities.

rudy - Posted - 11/28/2011:  18:57:33

Elderly, also:

elderly.com/accessories/items/BN98B.htm

coreyowen - Posted - 11/28/2011:  19:04:40

Oops! So much for my research skills...



Thanks everyone!! I'll order one and see if I can raise the string up a bit.

Edited by - coreyowen on 11/28/2011 19:05:31

pastorharry - Posted - 11/28/2011:  20:22:23

Just keep in mind, if you have the 5th string pip high and want spikes, you'll want to lower it again for better intonation.

Fathand - Posted - 11/28/2011:  20:50:51

Same goes for a 5th string capo if your pip is high and behind the fret. I have recently lowered 2 of them so the 5th fret becomes a zero fret for the 5th string.

quote:

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Originally posted by pastorharry

Just keep in mind, if you have the 5th string pip high and want spikes, you'll want to lower it again for better intonation.

---

scooter46 - Posted - 11/28/2011:  21:50:28

If you can remove the pip without breaking it try  filling the hole enough to raise it where you want it. 

scooter46 - Posted - 11/28/2011:  21:50:58

If you can remove the pip without breaking it try  filling the hole enough to raise it where you want it. 

scooter46 - Posted - 11/28/2011:  21:50:59

If you can remove the pip without breaking it try  filling the hole enough to raise it where you want it. 

grm405 - Posted - 11/29/2011:  07:32:47

I have an OME Juggernaut with this configuration. My recommendation is "DON'T". The high string is VERY sharp when fretting the 5th and when capoing (spikes). This is one of those "better ideas" that don't work well unless you never capo or fret the 5th string.

If you still want to do it, despite my input, then I would use a piece of 1/8" brass rod from a hobby shop to make a new pip. You can cut it to any length, it is unbreakable and it is cheap (less than $2 for a ft). I chucked it in a Dremel to shape and hold for slotting. But as I said, it sounds like a good idea, but isn't.

Gerry

OldPappy - Posted - 11/29/2011:  07:55:14

Whether a good idea, or bad, is entirely a subjective thing that will be influenced by how you play.

I play CH, so my preference is not going to be the same as someone who up picks.

I like a raised 5th string because I need to get my thumb under that string.

When I set up a banjo for CH, I usually set the neck so that the fretboard is around 1/4" above the head, so I don't need to set the string action very high over the fretboard, but I do want it above the fret, because my experience is that when the string is on the fret, whether a zero fret at the peghead, or at the 5th string, it will eventually wear a groove and start to buzz. This is especially on that 5th string, as it gets hit pretty hard every time my hand comes down.

I know a lot of people use spikes, and capos on the 5th, but I just tune the string. I never do fret the 5th string, whether with a capo, a spike, or a finger, so I don't have a dog in that hunt.