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ToenailGap - Posted - 02/07/2007: 01:15:43
What do you think is the best scale length for playing A and D tunes without a capo (in other words, tuned up without breaking strings or stressing the neck)? Is there a length (or a range) that's considered to be optimal?
I'm plotting my next banjo acquisition, and I'd like to have something suitable for accompanying a fiddler on Round Peak-type tunes. Not that I can actually play RP yet, but I can dream. I want to be able to tune up instead of using a capo, b/c I like the sounds of the open strings better than when they are capoed.
Plus, I want another banjo.Javascript:insertsmilie('
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One other consideration is that it would be nice to be able to tune this banjo down to G w/o having the strings get too floppy, but I do have other banjos which fill that need (26.25 and 25.5 scale lengths). The "A" scale banjos I've seen online go from 22 3/8 to 24 3/4. I haven't been able to play any of them in real life for comparison purposes, unfortunately. Maybe I don't even need a true A scale.
Thanks!
maxmax - Posted - 02/07/2007: 02:47:45
Most makers don't build necks much shorter then 25.5 (except A scale necks). Johannes Bonefaas used to build his at 25 inches, but now they are longer too. But a 25.5 neck should be no problem to tune up to A or D. Good luck and tell us what you get!
Best,
Max
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 02/07/2007: 04:13:34
I generally keep my banjo tuned a full tone low. Consequently by the time I'm capoed to D or A (4th fret) I have a scale somewhere around 20-21 inches.
I don't capo down for the key of G but leave the capo on the forth fret and use F tuning which works out to open strings of (gDGDE). I've recently tried out the next logical step from G tuning at the 4th fret - C major tuning at the forth fret (gCGCE)
While the gDGDE tuning works with light guage strings, the 3rd string tends tyo sound somewhat rubbery and I intend to replace the 014 with an 015 to see if it workd better. I suspect that getting serious about a gCGCE tuning would call for larger 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings.
The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html
R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 02/07/2007: 04:56:14
I have a Bart Reiter "A"-Scale that I keep tuned to gDGBD (Scale Length- 24-3/4"), and it sounds fine. Obviously it is made to handle aEAC#E as well. I use medium gauge strings on it.
I would think that the regular scale length banjos that are being made these days (25-1/2, 25-3/4) would probably handle being tuned up to A (personally I have always use a capo).
Depending on scale length, string gauge is also a consideration.
R.D. Lunceford- "Missourian in Exile"
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Model 1865 Bowlin Fretless Banjo
'Eva Cassidy' 13 min
'Thanks A Lot' 2 hrs
'1981 Gold Star GF-100' 3 hrs
