maplevega - Posted - 10/18/2014:  13:06:39

I'm guessing Bill angles his necks at 3% because my Cherry 12" Dobson came with one of his 3/4" bridges. I haven't measured the action but it seems pretty close to my banjos that are set up for 5/8" bridges. It seemed weird at first but I'm getting used to it. Over the scoop and at neck end of head it feels pretty similar to my 5/8" bridges. It's just the extra height where the bridge sits is different. Rick

Edited by - maplevega on 10/18/2014 15:12:46

pastorharry - Posted - 10/18/2014:  16:18:41

I bet it's loud.

the-fish - Posted - 10/18/2014:  18:21:51

That seems high. At least for me. Not any room to adjust if needed

maplevega - Posted - 10/18/2014:  19:37:44

quote:I know....I was a little surprised...I don't know if this standard or a unique case...I prefer 5/8 but everything about the banjo I really like

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Originally posted by the-fish

That seems high. At least for me. Not any room to adjust if needed

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banjopickingman - Posted - 10/18/2014:  19:41:56

the maple ridge is designed for 5/8 to my knowledge. yours may have been a special order?

maplevega - Posted - 10/18/2014:  20:43:45

quote:Yeah, the fellow I bought it from had it designed to his specs with everything except finish....he told me it wasn't a typical kit but it seems to me that all the kits Bill did where basically customized to the buyers specs. I'll play it for a while and see if I'm comfortable with it. I threw a 5/8 on it and it played great but if you bear down on the 4th string you can hear a faint buzz.

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Originally posted by banjopickingman

the maple ridge is designed for 5/8 to my knowledge. yours may have been a special order?

 

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the-fish - Posted - 10/19/2014:  04:06:46

I had a Ramsey conversion one time. 3/4 bridge. Neck was so off that it wouldnt sit correctly in its case.

Can you return?

maplevega - Posted - 10/19/2014:  06:34:02

quote:The banjo plays and looks great so I wouldn't feel right returning it.....I will check with seller about rationale for 3/4....just to satisfy my curiosity. If it ever became an issue I suppose I could have heel re cut. Probably could even send it to Bill.

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Originally posted by the-fish

I had a Ramsey conversion one time. 3/4 bridge. Neck was so off that it wouldnt sit correctly in its case.



Can you return?

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the-fish - Posted - 10/19/2014:  17:41:58

Nice. Good luck. I'm sure you will be happy with it!

Will1717 - Posted - 10/20/2014:  07:49:07

Rick:

Sounds like the banjo you are referring to may have been a special order. If you could send me the serial number I'll do some checking and get back. I don't know if your aware but the neck is equipped with a two way truss rod that is adjustable through the heel. If it only has a slight buzz with a 5/8" bridge you could probably put a slight forward bow in the neck and the buss will more than likely disappear. Another option would be to remove the neck and file a little off the bottom of the dowel stick hole. Reinstall the neck and slide a small wedge or veneer on top of the dowel stick hole and the lower bridge should work just fine. If you not comfortable with doing this just give me a call, and I'll walk you through the process. Also measure the string clearance under the strings at the 12th fret and forward it on to me. When I use to play I always preferred a high action but to many they prefer a much lower action.  We do supply banjos with 3/4" high bridge if requested by the customer. Sounds like you have one of those special requests.

Bill Rickard

maplevega - Posted - 10/20/2014:  08:43:32

Bill, very nice of you to respond to my post. I absolutely love the banjo and it plays great. I'm getting used to the bridge....so I want to give it some time. I bought it from a fellow BHO member who is actually in the knife making business and had been exploring making banjos. He ordered the banjo from you unfinished.....All that was required when I received it was very light sanding. I then added four coats of Minwax Poly Satin. It turned out beautiful. I have tried to locate a serial number but have been unable to find one. Regards, Rick 

maplevega - Posted - 10/21/2014:  18:21:46

I followed Bill's advice (Thanks Bill!). I removed the neck and enlarged the bottom of the dowel stick hole by a little less than 1/16". This is the  same amount that the fingerboard sat above the tension hoop where they meet. I then shimmed the top of the dowel hole by the same amount. I turned the truss rod an eighth of a turn to slightly increase the neck now. I put it all back together and there is no longer any buzz with a 5/8 bridge. I like the fact that I  can set it up for 3/4, if I ever want to, by simply reversing the shim. Rick

maplevega - Posted - 10/22/2014:  11:53:08

quote:Bill, I sent you a PM....thanks, Rick 

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Originally posted by Will1717

Rick:

Sounds like the banjo you are referring to may have been a special order. If you could send me the serial number I'll do some checking and get back. I don't know if your aware but the neck is equipped with a two way truss rod that is adjustable through the heel. If it only has a slight buzz with a 5/8" bridge you could probably put a slight forward bow in the neck and the buss will more than likely disappear. Another option would be to remove the neck and file a little off the bottom of the dowel stick hole. Reinstall the neck and slide a small wedge or veneer on top of the dowel stick hole and the lower bridge should work just fine. If you not comfortable with doing this just give me a call, and I'll walk you through the process. Also measure the string clearance under the strings at the 12th fret and forward it on to me. When I use to play I always preferred a high action but to many they prefer a much lower action.  We do supply banjos with 3/4" high bridge if requested by the customer. Sounds like you have one of those special requests.

Bill Rickard

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McUtsi - Posted - 10/22/2014:  14:42:24

I have a 3/4" Stelling Old Wood(Birch) bridge on my Baldwin/ODE and find it

perfect for this banjo ; all the others have 5/8",though,but I don´t have any

problem changing between the hi bridge one & the others.McUtsi

maplevega - Posted - 10/22/2014:  14:45:21

quote:Mine was very close McUtsi....it took about 1/16 to make it right.

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Originally posted by McUtsi

I have a 3/4" Stelling Old Wood(Birch) bridge on my Baldwin/ODE and find it

perfect for this banjo ; all the others have 5/8",though,but I don´t have any

problem changing between the hi bridge one & the others.McUtsi

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