Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/405738
banjonz - Posted - 10/29/2025: 13:16:37
I have posted this quite sometime ago but cannot find it.
I was given this neck and as a future project, want to attach it to a pot I have here.
Anyone got an thoughts on who might have made it etc, etc.
Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 10/29/2025: 16:32:16
It looks very unusual for sure. Are those little bumps, where the nut would be, and does each of them support one string? I never saw an instrument made that way before.
banjonz - Posted - 10/29/2025: 17:46:39
quote:
Originally posted by Zachary Hoyt
It looks very unusual for sure. Are those little bumps, where the nut would be, and does each of them support one string? I never saw an instrument made that way before.
Yeah Zahary, that has got me perplexed. I though they may be individual nuts that need to be slotted.
cevant - Posted - 10/29/2025: 18:29:48
I wonder if the first fret is supposed to be a zero fret. That would then make the markers sorta correct at 3, 5, 7, 10, 12. Those bumps just hold the string in position until it hits the zero fret.
cevant - Posted - 10/30/2025: 09:03:34
….and for the fifth string…it would also be held in place by a bump, until it reaches a moveable pip that would fit into one of those keyed slots.
banjoboyd - Posted - 10/30/2025: 14:54:07
Is the idea that when you turn a screw on one of those 5th-string doohickeys, a pip pops or flips up and contacts the string?
deestexas - Posted - 10/30/2025: 15:02:18
The "Bumps" have holes through which the strings are threaded, and a capo makes it a kind of zero fret instrument. This works pretty well since the peghead has no angle. The key slots require a slide-in knob to hold the fifth string.
About 10 years ago I found a similar neck with a cast aluminum rim on eBay ( the resonator is an add-on). The neck seems to a solid ebony and the scale is about 28.5 inches. The pictures are probably self-explanatory. The tension rim is brass with holes for the hooks. The last image is a brass knob trimmed to fit the key slots.
deestexas - Posted - 10/30/2025: 16:26:28
oops!
pinenut - Posted - 10/31/2025: 10:10:08
quote:
Originally posted by deestexas
The "Bumps" have holes through which the strings are threaded, and a capo makes it a kind of zero fret instrument. This works pretty well since the peghead has no angle. The key slots require a slide-in knob to hold the fifth string.
About 10 years ago I found a similar neck with a cast aluminum rim on eBay ( the resonator is an add-on). The neck seems to a solid ebony and the scale is about 28.5 inches. The pictures are probably self-explanatory. The tension rim is brass with holes for the hooks. The last image is a brass knob trimmed to fit the key slots.
Hi Dees,
That banjo is so practical. I really like the design/concept; some of the features would cost less to implement and should have become common. In the pictures it strikes me as a quality proof of concept; like if Scott Vestal wanted to make a mass market Stealth banjo.
What's it like in day to day reality?
Does it play well, as in, does the neck feel good in the hand and capo fast/easy without tuning touch-ups in group settings?
Edited by - pinenut on 10/31/2025 10:18:39
deestexas - Posted - 10/31/2025: 10:30:22
The neck feels very good and the capo works well. The depth of the neck is about .85 inches all the way to the heel, and the width of the neck at the top is about 1.49 and 1.83 at the rim. The neck's overall length is and 2.5 inches longer than a typical five string. The danger with the fifth string capo is, of course, the possibility of losing the knob, a problem with all the other unattached capos. The resonator I found is about 15 inches wide (head is 11.5) but helpful due to the edges of the rim and built-in resonator. I prefer to play it seated as there is limited capacity to attach a strap. I suspect the neck if attached to a standard rim would be more comfortable, although the bridge would necessarily need to move toward the center.
Edited by - deestexas on 10/31/2025 11:08:18
banjonz - Posted - 10/31/2025: 13:12:24
quote:
Originally posted by deestexas
The "Bumps" have holes through which the strings are threaded, and a capo makes it a kind of zero fret instrument. This works pretty well since the peghead has no angle. The key slots require a slide-in knob to hold the fifth string.
About 10 years ago I found a similar neck with a cast aluminum rim on eBay ( the resonator is an add-on). The neck seems to a solid ebony and the scale is about 28.5 inches. The pictures are probably self-explanatory. The tension rim is brass with holes for the hooks. The last image is a brass knob trimmed to fit the key slots.
You are absolutely correct about the 'bumps', I just didn't look close enough.
banjonz - Posted - 10/31/2025: 13:15:23
quote:
Originally posted by deestexas
oops!
What is this brass knob from??
banjonz - Posted - 10/31/2025: 16:29:15
quote:
Originally posted by deestexas
The "Bumps" have holes through which the strings are threaded, and a capo makes it a kind of zero fret instrument. This works pretty well since the peghead has no angle. The key slots require a slide-in knob to hold the fifth string.
About 10 years ago I found a similar neck with a cast aluminum rim on eBay ( the resonator is an add-on). The neck seems to a solid ebony and the scale is about 28.5 inches. The pictures are probably self-explanatory. The tension rim is brass with holes for the hooks. The last image is a brass knob trimmed to fit the key slots.
Does your have the holes in the heel? If so, do you know what they are for??
deestexas - Posted - 10/31/2025: 17:14:37
Yes, there is a hole on each side of the heel. I have no idea of the reason.
Edited by - deestexas on 10/31/2025 17:15:05
deestexas - Posted - 10/31/2025: 17:33:11
I shaped the knob from some brass knurled screws - I think I found them in lamp parts at the hardware store. I shortened the shaft and trimmed it next to the knob. I made several as I expected they might be lost.
banjonz - Posted - 10/31/2025: 17:53:36
quote:
Originally posted by deestexas
I shaped the knob from some brass knurled screws - I think I found them in lamp parts at the hardware store. I shortened the shaft and trimmed it next to the knob. I made several as I expected they might be lost.
Have never seen screws like that before, certainly not here.
Dan Gellert - Posted - 10/31/2025: 18:03:57
That is very cool. I'm surprised I haven't before seen a neck so specifically designed to make capo use effective and easy.
Might those holes on the side of the heel be for some sort of strap attachment?
If no one here knows when, where, or by whom those were made, maybe post some photos on Facebook...? I'm curious.
pinenut - Posted - 11/01/2025: 08:05:34
quote:
Originally posted by banjonz
quote:
Originally posted by deestexas
I shaped the knob from some brass knurled screws - I think I found them in lamp parts at the hardware store. I shortened the shaft and trimmed it next to the knob. I made several as I expected they might be lost.
Have never seen screws like that before, certainly not here.
They are used to hold the lamp shade to the top or are for the on/off knob on the side of the bulb holder. Brassy outdoor lights often use lots of this stuff to hold the fixture together. Go look closely at that fancy leg lamp in your boudoir.
Edited by - pinenut on 11/01/2025 08:12:33
