keqwow1 - Posted - 09/09/2016:  11:58:59

So I'm trying to educate myself about the construction of my more recent Reiter tubaphone banjo, and while at some point I may disassemble it to reverse engineer it a bit, at this point I really don't want to pull apart my 'baby.'  So I was hoping you guys might be willing to answer my pretty basic (perhaps embarrassing beginner) questions.  Bart has been great answering a few specific questions I've had, but I also don't want to bug him with too many questions, especially basic building questions.  

Looking at the neck, there is no access for a truss rod, so was the neck built without a rod in it?  

I'm also trying to figure out the dowel rod construction on this.  Typically, how far into the neck is a dowel rod mortised in?  

On the tail piece side of the rim, is the dowel mortised into the rim, or is it just butted flush against the inside surface of the rim?  

I appreciate the insight.  

bryantde - Posted - 09/09/2016:  12:38:16

quote:

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Originally posted by keqwow1

 

So I'm trying to educate myself about the construction of my more recent Reiter tubaphone banjo, and while at some point I may disassemble it to reverse engineer it a bit, at this point I really don't want to pull apart my 'baby.'  So I was hoping you guys might be willing to answer my pretty basic (perhaps embarrassing beginner) questions.  Bart has been great answering a few specific questions I've had, but I also don't want to bug him with too many questions, especially basic building questions.  

Looking at the neck, there is no access for a truss rod, so was the neck built without a rod in it?  

I'm also trying to figure out the dowel rod construction on this.  Typically, how far into the neck is a dowel rod mortised in?  

On the tail piece side of the rim, is the dowel mortised into the rim, or is it just butted flush against the inside surface of the rim?  

I appreciate the insight.  

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Rick,

Let me say this before I try to answer the questions you have.......I am a banjo luthier and specialize in bluegrass resonator banjos but......I have a good friend that is an old time/jazz dixieland style player and he is an outstanding musician.

When he needs work done on his old time banjos if it is something I can handle I do it for him.

It just so happens he brought a Bart Reiter white lady banjo for me to set up with action adjustment etc and spikes installed so I got to break this one down first hand.

As far as action adjustment, yes the banjo has an adjustable truss rod but you have to remove the neck to adjust it.

The adjustment head takes an allen wrench. 

To take neck off you have to take off the neck clinch or the part that pulls neck secure to rim.  Then unscrew the tailpiece nut as it unscrews from tailpiece end of dowel rod going through pot.  Then you can carefully remove neck with dowel rod from pot assembly.

the dowel rod just butts up flush against the inside of the banjo rim at the tailpiece end.

I took a pic of this neck clinch config so I could reference it when I was reinstalling neck after truss rod adjustment.

Good luck and I hope I have answered some of your questions.......e-mail me if you have more questions.

banjobuilder1@yahoo.com

Thanks

Don Bryant

Edited by - bryantde on 09/09/2016 12:39:44

banjobart - Posted - 09/09/2016:  14:10:05

Don has it correct.

1. 1/4" hex truss rod adjustment at the end of the heel, use a 6 in 1 screwdriver, slide the neck out of the rim for access.
2. Dowel stick tenon goes 1-3/8" into the hole in the end of the heel.
3. Butted, no mortise.

keqwow1 - Posted - 09/09/2016:  19:10:47

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the info. And of course one can't beat getting a response from the builder himself! Thanks Bart. As always, you da man!!