harrisiv - Posted - 02/11/2026:  08:50:46

Hello, was hoping to get some options for a 5/8" banjo bridge with a raised 5th string notch.

My openback banjo has a brass plate installed in the frailing scoop area that I can't get used to. The brass plate causes a lack of thumb clearance making it difficult for me to comfortably grab the 5th string. The 5th is lower (normal) than the others so this will also even them out. Can anyone recommend a bridge maker in the US who makes these type bridges?

I reached out to a fellow member multiple times over the last few weeks on BHO who makes this type bridge but I can't get a reply. Thanks in advance and I apologize if this topic has been covered in the past...looking for current options!

srrobertsiii - Posted - 02/11/2026:  09:30:58

Tim Purcell has made bridges like that for me. And, imho, his bridges are stellar. I’ve had excellent success reaching him thru his website, Purcell Banjo Bridges. (I assume he's still willing to make bridges with a raised fifth. Certainly worth checking out.)

Edited by - srrobertsiii on 02/11/2026 09:34:58

Banner Blue - Posted - 02/11/2026:  09:38:56

Certainly get a the desired bridge, but you could add a small piece of wood to an existing bridge to test if this solves your problem.

Culloden - Posted - 02/11/2026:  10:47:02

Check out BHO Don New (stringbean45). I believe he already makes a bridge like that.

harrisiv - Posted - 02/11/2026:  11:08:49

quote:

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Originally posted by Culloden

Check out BHO Don New (stringbean45). I believe he already makes a bridge like that.

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I have reached out to him several times and received no answer.

Culloden - Posted - 02/11/2026:  12:18:19

That's interesting. Considering how many bridges he has listed in the classified ads, I would have figured he would be easier to reach.

RG - Posted - 02/11/2026:  14:26:19

Install a higher fifth string pip.

KCJones - Posted - 02/11/2026:  19:03:14

I don't think having a lower 5th string is normal. It should be the same height as the rest of the strings.

harrisiv - Posted - 02/11/2026:  19:24:37

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

I don't think having a lower 5th string is normal. It should be the same height as the rest of the strings.

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Totally agree as mentioned this is normal.  However the brass plate in the frailing scoop looses at least 1mm of thumb clearance that I can't get used to.

Edited by - harrisiv on 02/11/2026 19:24:56

KCJones - Posted - 02/12/2026:  05:58:09

Most bridge makers will do something custom for you if you contact them. I've also used Purcell bridges and they're good.

But typically, your 5th string should be the exact same height as all the other strings. A raised 5th string isn't going to help you for drop-thumbing, and might actually get in the way. I've never had any issues with thumb clearance while playing and most of my banjos don't have a scoop. Perhaps just adjusting your technique to minimize wasted thumb motion could be a solution. Slow down, increase accuracy, then get yourself back up to tempo.

harrisiv - Posted - 02/12/2026:  06:17:04

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

Most bridge makers will do something custom for you if you contact them. I've also used Purcell bridges and they're good.



But typically, your 5th string should be the exact same height as all the other strings. A raised 5th string isn't going to help you for drop-thumbing, and might actually get in the way. I've never had any issues with thumb clearance while playing and most of my banjos don't have a scoop. Perhaps just adjusting your technique to minimize wasted thumb motion could be a solution. Slow down, increase accuracy, then get yourself back up to tempo.

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Really appreciate the advice and insight.  Just want to spend a few bucks and try a raised 5th string bridge on this particular banjo that has a brass plate installed in the scoop area to give me the spacing I am used to on almost every other banjo I have played.  This is definitely a one off and I will definitely attempt to adjust my technique too.  Wish I had an in person teacher to help!

cjwit - Posted - 02/12/2026:  20:14:20

As a bit of an experiment, I made a bridge the other day with some scrap (that matched a recent banjo build) where the 5th string side was 1/16 higher than the 1st string side. It let me keep the action that tiny bit lower for fingering up the neck while avoiding a slight buzz on the 4th string. An uneven bridge like this might be easier than what I’m understanding as a “higher” 5th string since it keeps an even plane across the strings. Not sure if this is a norm, but banjos are for tinkering, right?

Bridge