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stevebsq - Posted - 05/01/2024: 12:01:12
Why doesn’t the fifth string run all the way up to the head stock like his other 4 buddies?
I know there are tunneled versions, but just wondering why it is pegged down to 5th fret?
Prob an obvious answer that I cannot think of right now.
And why do you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway….etc etc etc
KCJones - Posted - 05/01/2024: 12:03:44
I think it's because when the 5th string first came about, strings weren't as robust as we have now. So it had to be shorter in order to meet the require pitch, a full octave above the 3rd string.
Ever since then, it's just been tradition/momentum.
janolov - Posted - 05/01/2024: 12:25:43
The short string derives from the precursors to the banjo, such as akonting in Senegal/Gambia. Those instruments had a short string and had a ringing function or drone function, and it had to be shorter to meet the required pitch. And when the modern banjo was developed the shorter string was retained.
Culloden - Posted - 05/01/2024: 13:56:41
quote:
Originally posted by KCJones
I think it's because when the 5th string first came about, strings weren't as robust as we have now. So it had to be shorter in order to meet the require pitch, a full octave above the 3rd string.
Ever since then, it's just been tradition/momentum.
I think this is the best educated guess I have heard.
Even with modern steel strings it would be pretty tricky to get a string tuned all the way to a high G without breaking if it was as long as the others. Not to mention that the high tension on that side of the neck would throw tuning out of balance.
Dean T - Posted - 05/01/2024: 16:22:35
12 string guitars have a full length high g string. The idea that it would break at that length is not true. I’ve strung my Telecaster with a high g string for quiet banjo practice, and it works fine. There is absolutely no reason a banjo couldn’t be built with a full length 5 string, fretable all the way to the nut, just like all the other strings. I know, because I've done it, and it works great.
Edited by - Dean T on 05/01/2024 16:28:53
notty pine - Posted - 05/01/2024: 16:29:50
I've built a banjo with a 5th string that's as long as the other 4. All 5 cross the main nut. It can be spiked at the 5th fret as g or across the nut as a g. Or tuned to g at the fifth leaving it open as another d at the nut. Or how ever you want
KCJones - Posted - 05/01/2024: 17:00:20
Of course they can be built with the full length string nowadays. But with old gut strings they couldn't be. That's where the tradition/momentum part comes in to the equation.
There has been at least one full length 5 string banjo made. I remember seeing a video about it. I believe they called it the "Full-5" banjo. It was made by one of the boutique makers, but I can't remember which one. It wasn't a tunneled 5th string, it was a full length 5th with the same nut as the rest, tuned to high G. The coolest part was that it opened up a lot of new melodic and chord options with the extra 5 frets down the neck.
Edited by - KCJones on 05/01/2024 17:00:31
RDP - Posted - 05/01/2024: 18:04:29
Yates did something like this. It’s on utube with Donnie Little playing it. So it’s been done.
KCJones - Posted - 05/02/2024: 06:42:52
RDP Thank you I was thinking it was Yates but I couldn't find the video so didn't want to say for certain. I believe it was the Yates Full Five (edit: it's called the Long 5) banjo. If anyone could find that video I would greatly appreciate it.
Also since he was mentioned, I've just gotta say that Donnie Little is one helluva banjo picker.
EDIT: Found the video: WL5 Banjo Wide Neck Long Fifth String (youtube.com)
I've always thought this would be a great design for pickers like Bela Fleck, Jens Kruger, and Noam Pikelny, for classical type music.
Edited by - KCJones on 05/02/2024 06:48:45
Dean T - Posted - 05/02/2024: 08:08:53
The banjo in my last post was from my experimental days, many years ago. That neck was on several rims, and was fun to play. I even gigged with it a few times. But…the full length 5th string never generated the earth shattering musical mind expanding experience I was hoping for. It actually kind of muddied things up a bit, and messed up the banjos beautiful simplicity of a slim neck, with 4 strings and 4 fretting fingers in the open position. Basically, it just got in the way. And, when I did fret it, it didn’t really add anything to my fairly basic playing ability. Ultimately, I married that neck, to a cheap rim, and gifted the banjo to a college student, who fell in love with the fact that she could tune it like a guitar, and strum all her guitar songs on it. That was over 15 years ago, and I have no idea whatever happened to it.
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