carlwells2535 - Posted - 11/10/2022:  17:50:48

Having a banjo made but can't decide between the Walnut, Mahogany or Maple?? I know it's a preference but .....What are your thoughts on the different woods. My current one is a cheap maple. At almost 59 years this will be the last one I buy. Says the wife.

Edited: Thank You for all the input and after much searching I have decided on a  Huber Roanoke which is all Walnut. Engraved and with a custom headstock. Wider neck and radius fingerboard. Reason for the wider neck and radius finger board is I have a digit on left hand that wont bend.

Edited by - carlwells2535 on 11/13/2022 04:22:40

1xsculler - Posted - 11/10/2022:  18:12:29

SET UP TRUMPS WOOD!!’

eagleisland - Posted - 11/10/2022:  18:51:36

A search will reveal hundreds of threads on this topic.

The common opinion is that mahogany is warmest, maple is brightest, and walnut is somewhere in the middle.

But an awful lot of it is in the setup.

lightgauge - Posted - 11/10/2022:  20:25:22

For tone, I like mahogany, walnut, then maple.
For looks, I like maple, walnut, then mahogany.
My friend is exactly the opposite on tone. No one can tell you what is best for your ear.
It is about matching the sound in your head of what a banjo should sound like.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/10/2022:  22:59:52

Openback or resonator makes a diiference in choice too, though Skip’s rule of thumb holds for whatever.

leehar - Posted - 11/11/2022:  02:41:16

I know this isn’t very helpful but whenever I pick up my maple banjo I think it’s the greatest banjo tone possible. Then when I play my mahogany instrument I think the tone is beautiful, warm and full bodied. I love both and would not want to part with either. If I didn’t have the luxury of owning two I would probably go with the mahogany. I’ve never actually played a walnut banjo though.

Ron Lacey - Posted - 11/11/2022:  05:33:07

I have a walnut Bishline Cimmaron and I love the sound. I don’t have anything to compare it to though. A lot of it has to do with your right hand position and how close you are to the bridge.

The Old Timer - Posted - 11/11/2022:  08:02:56

You need to put in the time to find and play banjos made with each of those woods and decide for yourself. Then you will quickly find out that it's very rare to find banjos with the same set up and the only difference being the neck wood. (Resonator veneer is generally thought to have a nearly indiscernable effect if any.)

For instance, Don Reno and JD Crowe played banjos that were nearly sisters. Mahogany Style 75s. They don't sound alike. The sound difference is set up and the hands of the player.

I own and play Gibsons with all of the woods in question. The two closest would be Greg Rich Granada (maple) and Greg Rich Style 3 (mahogany). They happen to be set up as nearly the same as I can manage. Setting aside whether gold plate affects sound, the Granada has a tiny bit of natural reverb compared to the 3. The 3 has quicker decay of the note.

But, of all my banjos, the 1929 Style 5 (walnut) has a penetrating sound, like a nail gun. But it is set up and played to help achieve that sound. Similar arch tops with different wood (maple 3, maple 6) sound different, with a moderately warm sound. Oddly, the mahogany 4 with a Huber flat head conversion ring is as bell-like as an Ode, like Ben Eldredge's early sound on Seldom Scene records.

So, there's a lot more to it than choice of wood. Wood probably comes in lowest in priority on the list of things that affect sound. Indeed, the WEIGHT of the neck probably makes more difference than the type of wood used.

RB3 - Posted - 11/11/2022:  08:24:00

Mahogany. Why? All of the best sounding banjos that I have played were mahogany.

KatB - Posted - 11/11/2022:  09:08:11

Mahogany or walnut search

Try this.  

jan dupree - Posted - 11/11/2022:  11:03:57

You can get a combination of 2 of them. All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

81goldstar - Posted - 11/11/2022:  11:42:05

I'll jump on the Mahogany bandwagon. Played maple for almost 15 years. Went Mahogany and not looking back. Set up in my opinion IS very important but doesn't trump wood as far as what tone an individual ear likes. I find it easier to get the sounds i want from mahogany where i struggled to to pull them from maple. It may not be the same for you since it boils down to preference. To clarify...I play a maple rim with mahogany neck.

Edited by - 81goldstar on 11/11/2022 11:47:06

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/11/2022:  15:43:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

You can get a combination of 2 of them. All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

This is news to me. When did this transition occur?  For the hybrids, what part is maple what part is mahogany?

81goldstar - Posted - 11/11/2022:  16:28:46

In a traditional banjo if its called mahogany it most likely means a maple rim and mahogany neck. You can have one built vice versa but it's not as common I don't believe. I don't know if there was a particular transition period one could point to but I do know Earls 1930's Granada was originally a mahogany neck with a maple rim so it's been a thing for awhile.                                       Also in case your wondering there is substantial difference in tone between the two different neck woods (or 3 if you compare walnut) when both are attached to a maple rim and both have similiar set ups. In my experience at least.

Edited by - 81goldstar on 11/11/2022 16:42:11

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/11/2022:  16:39:26

I thought maple rims were standard on a BG banjo regardless of neck/resonator woods.

lightgauge - Posted - 11/11/2022:  17:18:14

Maple rims have been pretty standard since the 20's on most Gibson banjos. There was a time when Earl's banjo had a mahogany neck, but it was not the original. Granadas were maple necked. To me, he sounded best with the mahogany neck, but he chose to change back.

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/11/2022:  17:20:37

quote:

---

Originally posted by 81goldstar

In a traditional banjo if its called mahogany it most likely means a maple rim and mahogany neck. You can have one built vice versa but it's not as common I don't believe. I don't know if there was a particular transition period one could point to but I do know Earls 1930's Granada was originally a mahogany neck with a maple rim so it's been a thing for awhile.                                       Also in case your wondering there is substantial difference in tone between the two different neck woods (or 3 if you compare walnut) when both are attached to a maple rim and both have similiar set ups. In my experience at least.

 

---

As I thought mahogany/maple is nothing new.

I never heard it said that there are "substantial" differences in tone of the common woods used for banjo.   Can you elaborate? 

81goldstar - Posted - 11/11/2022:  17:40:53

quote:

---

Originally posted by lightgauge

Maple rims have been pretty standard since the 20's on most Gibson banjos. There was a time when Earl's banjo had a mahogany neck, but it was not the original. Granadas were maple necked. To me, he sounded best with the mahogany neck, but he chose to change back.

---

Thanks for that correction about Earls granada being originally maple. My learning about Earl started with the time his banjo had a mahogany neck so I forget his started out like you said with maple. I stand corrected.

81goldstar - Posted - 11/11/2022:  17:52:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by 81goldstar

In a traditional banjo if its called mahogany it most likely means a maple rim and mahogany neck. You can have one built vice versa but it's not as common I don't believe. I don't know if there was a particular transition period one could point to but I do know Earls 1930's Granada was originally a mahogany neck with a maple rim so it's been a thing for awhile.                                       Also in case your wondering there is substantial difference in tone between the two different neck woods (or 3 if you compare walnut) when both are attached to a maple rim and both have similiar set ups. In my experience at least.

 

---

As I thought mahogany/maple is nothing new.

I never heard it said that there are "substantial" differences in tone of the common woods used for banjo.   Can you elaborate? 

---

Well in my experience, which is limited as I havent played hundreds of banjos....I've found that with similar setups maple necks are usually brighter and a little harsher in tone than mahogany. Mahogany I've found to be a little sweeter and warmer. It's not so much Clarity or note seperation or decay etc. that is different but mainly just tone. All just my opinion based on my personal experiences of course.

okbluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 11/11/2022:  18:39:14

I've got a Sullivan mahogany neck on a Deering GE pot assembly.

  I would not change it for the world. 

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/12/2022:  07:32:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

Nechville is still selling maple banjos and few 1950's Traditional Scruggs Players would buy one, although they should since a Nechville is so versatile.

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/12/2022:  07:35:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlwells2535

Having a banjo made but can't decide between the Walnut, Mahogany or Maple?? I know it's a preference but .....What are your thoughts on the different woods. My current one is a cheap maple. At almost 59 years this will be the last one I buy. Says the wife.

Thank You for all the input and after much searching I have decided on a  Huber Roanoke which is all Walnut. Engraved and with a custom headstock.

---

It is my understanding that it is easier to make a bright maple banjo sound mellow then make a tubby mahogany sound brighter.

jan dupree - Posted - 11/12/2022:  08:15:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

You can get a combination of 2 of them. All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

This is news to me. When did this transition occur?  For the hybrids, what part is maple what part is mahogany?

---

You can have a mahogany resonator and maple neck, or vice versa. Or match it with a Walnut resonator. I have a Huber with a mahogany resonator and maple neck. Most rims are maple. I would'nt go anything other than a maple rim. Deering makes an oak one that sounds pretty good though on their White Lotus.Deering White Lotus 5-String Banjo – Deering® Banjo Company (deeringbanjos.com)

Edited by - jan dupree on 11/12/2022 08:19:34

jan dupree - Posted - 11/12/2022:  08:21:56

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

Nechville is still selling maple banjos and few 1950's Traditional Scruggs Players would buy one, although they should since a Nechville is so versatile.

---

They all want a pre-war Gibson.

Alex Z - Posted - 11/12/2022:  08:28:32

A few resonators, such as those on Gibson-style top tension banjos, are solid wood.

But most resonators that are called "maple, mahogany, walnut, cherry, etc." consist of a thin veneer of the named wood over a different core, typically poplar as a hard but not heavy wood.

So it would seem that the wood of the neck is the more important factor in tone, and the "wood" (veneer) of the resonator the less important -- maybe even no important.

What do we think?

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/12/2022:  08:43:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

Nechville is still selling maple banjos and few 1950's Traditional Scruggs Players would buy one, although they should since a Nechville is so versatile.

---

They all want a pre-war Gibson.

---

Right.  So who is Nechville selling their maple banjos to? 

lightgauge - Posted - 11/12/2022:  12:14:52

The veneer on the outside of a resonator is one of the few things on a banjo that does not affect sound. It is right up there with peghead overlay and inlay pattern in sound contribution.

ChunoTheDog - Posted - 11/12/2022:  12:22:03

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

You can get a combination of 2 of them. All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

This is news to me. When did this transition occur?  For the hybrids, what part is maple what part is mahogany?

---

You can have a mahogany resonator and maple neck, or vice versa. Or match it with a Walnut resonator. I have a Huber with a mahogany resonator and maple neck. Most rims are maple. I would'nt go anything other than a maple rim. Deering makes an oak one that sounds pretty good though on their White Lotus.Deering White Lotus 5-String Banjo – Deering® Banjo Company (deeringbanjos.com)

 

---

Reso veneer has zero effect on anything other than looks. 

ChunoTheDog - Posted - 11/12/2022:  12:23:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by lightgauge

The veneer on the outside of a resonator is one of the few things on a banjo that does not affect sound. It is right up there with peghead overlay and inlay pattern in sound contribution.

---

beat me to it

splunge - Posted - 11/12/2022:  14:05:12

I was always worried mahogany is environmentally bad to use as they log rainforests to harvest it, but was surprised to find it's grown in Asia and that South American countries stopped its export. Apparently, ebony is often obtained illegally, and its harvest is destructive. Just my 2 cents.
woodworkingtrade.com/most-sust...ble-wood/

81goldstar - Posted - 11/12/2022:  20:20:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by splunge

I was always worried mahogany is environmentally bad to use as they log rainforests to harvest it, but was surprised to find it's grown in Asia and that South American countries stopped its export. Apparently, ebony is often obtained illegally, and its harvest is destructive. Just my 2 cents.

woodworkingtrade.com/most-sust...ble-wood/

---

This discussion just jumped the tracks!  : )

Edited by - 81goldstar on 11/12/2022 20:21:52

NewBlackDak - Posted - 11/12/2022:  23:29:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

Nechville is still selling maple banjos and few 1950's Traditional Scruggs Players would buy one, although they should since a Nechville is so versatile.

---

They all want a pre-war Gibson.

---

Right.  So who is Nechville selling their maple banjos to? 

---

I ordered one that should be done mid February.

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/13/2022:  02:29:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by splunge

I was always worried mahogany is environmentally bad to use as they log rainforests to harvest it, but was surprised to find it's grown in Asia and that South American countries stopped its export. Apparently, ebony is often obtained illegally, and its harvest is destructive. Just my 2 cents.

woodworkingtrade.com/most-sust...ble-wood/

---

Waiting for Nechville to make a sinker mahogany Phantom!

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/13/2022:  02:53:07

quote:

---

Originally posted by NewBlackDak

 

---

I ordered one that should be done mid February.

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What did you order?  Love my maple Phantom!

jan dupree - Posted - 11/13/2022:  08:45:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

Nechville is still selling maple banjos and few 1950's Traditional Scruggs Players would buy one, although they should since a Nechville is so versatile.

---

They all want a pre-war Gibson.

---

Right.  So who is Nechville selling their maple banjos to? 

---

How many have they sold. They offer all maple, but that does'nt mean they are filling orders for all maple banjos. 

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/13/2022:  09:42:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

All Maple banjos todays are not as desired as they used to be. Mahogany/Maple or all Mahogany are preferred by most modern style players today. Unless you are exclusively a 1950's Traditional Scruggs Player, you may want to avoid an all Maple banjo. It has that raspy, metallic, pop sound, that many People do not like, and Progressive Players have been getting away from for years now.

---

Nechville is still selling maple banjos and few 1950's Traditional Scruggs Players would buy one, although they should since a Nechville is so versatile.

---

They all want a pre-war Gibson.

---

Right.  So who is Nechville selling their maple banjos to? 

---

How many have they sold. They offer all maple, but that does'nt mean they are filling orders for all maple banjos. 

---

shop.nechville.com

12fret.com/?sfid=96005&_sf...nechville

avenueguitars.com/collections/...le-banjos

A little research will give you the answer .

Edited by - HighLonesomeF5 on 11/13/2022 09:53:20

KatB - Posted - 11/13/2022:  09:45:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlwells2535

Edited: Thank You for all the input and after much searching I have decided on a  Huber Roanoke which is all Walnut. Engraved and with a custom headstock. Wider neck and radius fingerboard. Reason for the wider neck and radius finger board is I have a digit on left hand that wont bend.

---

Congrats! 

NewBlackDak - Posted - 11/13/2022:  12:32:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by HighLonesomeF5

quote:

---

Originally posted by NewBlackDak

 

---

I ordered one that should be done mid February.

---

What did you order?  Love my maple Phantom!

---

It's a custom Photon:

Corona frame, BLONDE CURLY MAPLE neck and QUILTED MAPLE resonator, macassar ebony fingerboard bound in TORTOISE binding, tunneled 5th string, hard case. Speed neck on playing portion

Rickard 10:1 high ratio planetary style tuners, nickel w/ivory buttons

Change to double cut Vintage headstock

Quilted maple resonator upgrade- from quilted mahogany

Special inlay: …You will have to wait and see the pictures for that.

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/13/2022:  12:43:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by NewBlackDak

---

It's a custom Photon:

Corona frame, BLONDE CURLY MAPLE neck and QUILTED MAPLE resonator, macassar ebony fingerboard bound in TORTOISE binding, tunneled 5th string, hard case. Speed neck on playing portion

Rickard 10:1 high ratio planetary style tuners, nickel w/ivory buttons

Change to double cut Vintage headstock

Quilted maple resonator upgrade- from quilted mahogany

Special inlay: …You will have to wait and see the pictures for that.

Sounds real nice.  Dont forget to post pics when you get them.

---

KCJones - Posted - 11/14/2022:  07:50:51

Walnut is best because it looks the best. Maple is 2nd best because it looks 2nd best.

Frankly, I can't tell the difference in sound between any of the materials, and I have my doubts that anyone else can either. Maybe a machine can tell, but in a blind test I seriously doubt a human can.

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 11/14/2022:  09:21:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCJones

Walnut is best because it looks the best. Maple is 2nd best because it looks 2nd best.



Frankly, I can't tell the difference in sound between any of the materials, and I have my doubts that anyone else can either. Maybe a machine can tell, but in a blind test I seriously doubt a human can.

---

This^

jan dupree - Posted - 11/14/2022:  14:30:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by KatB

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlwells2535

Edited: Thank You for all the input and after much searching I have decided on a  Huber Roanoke which is all Walnut. Engraved and with a custom headstock. Wider neck and radius fingerboard. Reason for the wider neck and radius finger board is I have a digit on left hand that wont bend.

---

Congrats! 

---

Huber's "wide neck" is just a standard 1'1/4", and I think it's actually a hair under 1-1/4. Their regular neck is the 1-3/16th, which is too narrow. That's the mistake I made. That's why I had to have a new neck made for my Huber which is now 1-5/16th. 1-5/16ths is considered today to be a wide neck, also 1-3/8th is being used my many Players. If you need a wider neck, 1-1/4 will not be enough for you.

carlwells2535 - Posted - 11/14/2022:  15:26:57

who made your neck?

AGACNP - Posted - 11/14/2022:  18:06:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by jan dupree

quote:

---

Originally posted by KatB

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlwells2535

Edited: Thank You for all the input and after much searching I have decided on a  Huber Roanoke which is all Walnut. Engraved and with a custom headstock. Wider neck and radius fingerboard. Reason for the wider neck and radius finger board is I have a digit on left hand that wont bend.

---

Congrats! 

---

Huber's "wide neck" is just a standard 1'1/4", and I think it's actually a hair under 1-1/4. Their regular neck is the 1-3/16th, which is too narrow. That's the mistake I made. That's why I had to have a new neck made for my Huber which is now 1-5/16th. 1-5/16ths is considered today to be a wide neck, also 1-3/8th is being used my many Players. If you need a wider neck, 1-1/4 will not be enough for you.

---

I've got a "standard" Huber neck, it is not too narrow for me.

Neck width, wood choice, inlay style, bridge height/material/spacing, pick choices, string brand/gauge/material, setup opinions...all these things are subjective, individual choices.

AGACNP - Posted - 11/14/2022:  18:24:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlwells2535

Having a banjo made but can't decide between the Walnut, Mahogany or Maple?? I know it's a preference but .....What are your thoughts on the different woods. My current one is a cheap maple. At almost 59 years this will be the last one I buy. Says the wife.

Edited: Thank You for all the input and after much searching I have decided on a  Huber Roanoke which is all Walnut. Engraved and with a custom headstock. Wider neck and radius fingerboard. Reason for the wider neck and radius finger board is I have a digit on left hand that wont bend.

---

You will not be disappointed in a Huber. His builds are very consistently high quality in both the way they sound and also for their beautiful workmanship. He prides himself on his gorgeous resonator veneers; the walnut and concentric rings on your Roanoke will be a work of art.

What do you have planned for the custom headstock? Can you tell us about the engraving?

Edited by - AGACNP on 11/14/2022 18:27:19

carlwells2535 - Posted - 11/15/2022:  05:09:33

Trying to get a cross in the headstock and nothing else. No wreaths or anything around the tuners just a cross. Waiting on his inlay guy to send pictures of some.

Edited by - carlwells2535 on 11/15/2022 05:13:05

AGACNP - Posted - 11/15/2022:  05:28:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlwells2535

Trying to get a cross in the headstock and nothing else. No wreaths or anything around the tuners just a cross. Waiting on his inlay guy to send pictures of some.

 

---

That'll be really cool, Carl. Hope you dont have to wait too long...I look forward to seeing pics of it when to get it.

jan dupree - Posted - 11/15/2022:  08:00:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by carlwells2535

who made your neck?

---

Ron Coleman. It's curly maple, slightly radiused. It's a speed neck with a clear sealer. I also had it raised up about a 3/8 inch higher where it attached to the rim. The Huber neck was flush which made the strings too low to the head when I was picking up toward the neck, which resulted in the picks sometimes hitting the head.

Edited by - jan dupree on 11/15/2022 08:05:23

carlwells2535 - Posted - 11/15/2022:  08:04:34

knew I forgot to mention something. Having a speed neck also