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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/277292
LNP - Posted - 01/07/2014: 11:54:54
Here is some pictures of the 12inch openback I finished a couple of weeks ago. The pics are much better if you click on them to enlarge. the captions give most of the info. Thanks for looking. Larry
 Home Built 12in openback |  Home built 12in |  Home built 12in |  home built 12in |
 homebuilt 12in |  Home built 12in |  Home built 12in |
SoundsGoodToMe - Posted - 01/07/2014: 12:03:08
Looks beautiful! It that fret wire set into the rim under the tone ring? I'd love to hear it.
kwl - Posted - 01/07/2014: 12:08:38
That's a very nice looking banjo that you made Larry. You can be very proud of your work. Enjoy.
Ken
gdtrfb24 - Posted - 01/07/2014: 12:10:17
Job well done!! I'm interested to hear as well with your tone ring setup.
rudy - Posted - 01/07/2014: 12:39:33
Larry, great job! I really like the neck color. Nice looking dowel stick, too. The only thing I might prefer is less distance to the zero fret, but it does give you the option of parking a capo there.
pinkbyfloyd - Posted - 01/07/2014: 12:45:04
can someone explain why the 5th string slot on the bridge is so much higher?
LNP - Posted - 01/07/2014: 13:25:42
Rudy I was thinking about a parking spot at the time and it works out real nice with a paige. Tyler I built this for clawhammer and since I didn't design it with a scoop I raised the 5th string up a little at the bridge.
rudy - Posted - 01/07/2014: 13:35:36
quote:
Originally posted by pinkbyfloydcan someone explain why the 5th string slot on the bridge is so much higher?
The raised level of the fifth at the bridge is employed as a way of having the strings at the same relative level at the position that is commonly preferred by claw hammer players. It's particularly useful if you like the fifth string to come off the fifth fret at or near the same height as the other strings. This is sometimes the preferred height for folks that often play melody notes on the fifth string so the action feels uniform with the surrounding strings.
If the fifth string is at the same level as the fifth fret then the string will be noticeably lower at the neck heel if a standard uniform height bridge is used. You can see that if the fifth is higher than the strings will be closer to the same level at the neck heel.
Most players adapt to the variance in height, but the stepped bridge is a good solution for anyone who is uncomfortable with it.
Edit for Larry's comment:
It is occasionally employed to gain a small amount of extra clearance between the board and the fifth string as Larry indicates his reasoning here.
Edited by - rudy on 01/07/2014 13:39:47
Ken LeVan - Posted - 01/07/2014: 14:13:49
It's a beautiful banjo!
I like everything about it. The bridge raised at the 5th string is just a bridge - easy to change later on without altering the banjo.
Very nice work!! I'm guessing that the fretwire on the top of the rim elevates the tonering vis-a-vis the Ball bearing Mastertone, which is a good thing to explore.
Really nice!
Ken
kenelk - Posted - 01/07/2014: 16:25:54
Yep... it's all mighty nice Larry... terrific accomplishment sir!
Muddy Roads - Posted - 01/07/2014: 16:48:39
Sweet!. How is your dowel secured? I don't see any hardware or wedge. is it (heel to rim) just pulled tight by the endbolt?
LNP - Posted - 01/07/2014: 17:00:17
You got it Nate the allthread runs all the way through the dowel with 1/4 inch holes on both sides of the rim and the nut at the tailpiece does the tightening. The dowel is a real close fit inside the rim.
Edited by - LNP on 01/07/2014 17:02:02
flailing - Posted - 01/07/2014: 19:20:18
That is a fine looking banjo. Would sure love to hear a sound clip.
Gord
LNP - Posted - 01/08/2014: 11:22:13
Thanks to everyone for dropping in I appreciate that, and to Flailing That's a fine looking motorbike I'd sure like to take a ride on that. Larry
three fingers - Posted - 01/19/2014: 15:52:20
nice looking banjo, please tell us about the fret wire on top of the rim.
RioStat - Posted - 01/19/2014: 16:02:53
quote:
Originally posted by three fingersnice looking banjo, please tell us about the fret wire on top of the rim.
He already did !
Todd Treadway - Posted - 01/20/2014: 19:26:07
> "He already did!" Yeah, but LNP, I'd like to know your impressions of the resulting tone. Big difference or not? It makes so much sense to do it that way; simplicity all the way! Gorgeous banjo, BTW!
LNP - Posted - 01/21/2014: 07:16:49
There have been many ideas such as screws, roofing nails and such used but I have never seen anyone use fret wire. I think this may be the best and easiest way to do this. You only have to be concerned with the spacing between the frets, each one is about 5/16 inch long so when you put the ring on it's going to be setting on a fret. Now to the sound, I didn't try it without the frets but I think it is making a considerable difference in volume and sustain and I am liking the tone.
When I first put it together, there was something about the sound that didn't seem right. After changing some things around, I think the neck attachment system was detracting from the sound. I removed the dowel stick and the all thread and used a nut at the heel. It seems to sound a lot better. I haven't done any recordings with it and I am having trouble with my utube channel. As soon as I get that straightened up I will try to get a sound clip posted. On a banjo with co-ordinator rods you don't want a lot of tightness at the tailpiece end and I think that may have been the problem.
Edited by - LNP on 01/21/2014 07:31:07
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