banjerandshine - Posted - 02/17/2015:  09:19:39

I have a Kalamazoo tenor banjo, but I would like to add a 5 string neck.  Not looking to break the bank just something to mess around with.  Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.  (I have been looking on ebay, but not sure if I should be looking for an old Harmony neck or something in that ball park?  Looking for something that won't require to much fuss to convert.) 

And if anyone is willing to make a trade for for a five string neck, I will cover the cost of all shipping.  The Kalamazoo neck is straight as an arrow no cracks or damage, but with minimal fret wear.

Thanks,

banjerandshine

revellfa - Posted - 02/17/2015:  09:40:39

I had great luck with a Heartwood Neck (not Heartland aka Robin Smith...) It matched fairly well too. I've attached some pics. I'll try to get a video up later on also.

LWC - Posted - 02/17/2015:  09:54:45

I think one of the best 5 string necks if you don't want to spend much are the Saga necks around $65.00 the ones I've bought were great (maybe a little thick) but very playable. The harmony necks are alright but they are really narrow. You can find the Saga necks all over ebay, Amazon. Ant Hill here is one link   amazon.com/Mahogany-Banjo-Neck...0041HQS4U. All you have to do is a little sanding. Larry

beegee - Posted - 02/17/2015:  10:20:58

I'd use a Saga neck, unless you just want to start from scratch.

Culloden - Posted - 02/17/2015:  10:34:18

The Heartwood necks are sold on eBay by Hillbilly Music in Mt. Sterling, Ky which is about thirty miles east of me. I have bought several other parts from them and had no problems but I have never tried their necks.

The Saga kit necks on eBay are great if you don't mind doing a little work to make them playable. Larry mentioned sanding but I also reshape the heel, file the fret ends, stain, and lacquer. You can also drill out the plastic inlays and put real pearl inlays in if you are that adventurous.

The lag bolts in the heels will have to be replaced because they don't seem to match the threads on any rim rods made. The holes will need to be plugged and redrilled for proper sized lag bolts. The end result can be a really nice neck if it is done well.

banjerandshine - Posted - 02/17/2015:  11:32:33

Thanks for the all the replies! I have seen the Heartwood necks on ebay and I will probably go that route. I'll post some pics if I don't flub it up!

The Saga kit sounds like a nice project, but those might be out of my skill set.

LWC - Posted - 02/17/2015:  15:31:46

No matter what neck you buy you probably will have to do a little work to get it to fit, it it has the hanger bolts in the neck they probably won't match up with the holes in the rim. If it doesn't have the hanger bolts you will have to drill them to fit your rim and if they are in the neck the threads probably won't match the threds on your co-rods.

mikehalloran - Posted - 02/18/2015:  12:13:49

Interesting. The co-rods sold by Saga fit Kalamazoo banjos with no problem. I have used them to add a second rod many times. The rim is thin and a bit flimsy. Adding a second rod really helps and is the only modification that I do as it stabilizes the whole assembly.