I managed to get a 1926 TB3 from the classifieds and sent it to John Boulding down in NC where so many banjos are born. Hes goin to put on a vintage looking neck but new of course. Use the peghead and inlay from the old neck too. Anybody wanna be the God parent?? Hehee.
I took delivery of my banjo fitted with new neck and its a beauty. John Boulding nailed the fit and the finish on this banjo neck including the dye bleed-over common on these old ones. The sound is great and the playability is better than I expected. Happy banjo, happy player!
15 Comments |
 | gdoc says:
8/18/2012 8:29:35 AM
Glad to hear your getting a BB banjo. You'll love it.
One thing you might consider, just another side of the coin.....
Instead of using the peg head and inlays from the old banjo, think about keeping the neck original, as that can add to the value later since either neck could be attached.
Granted, the tenor neck will most likely never be used again, but it still adds to the complete-ness of the banjo as original.
I don't think it would cost much difference, who knows, maybe even cheaper.
I'm having my 25 neck made as we write too, by Monte Hendricks, another great banjo builder.
Happy pickin,
Gary, ps.... I'll take first grabs at being God parent to your banjo....I'll take GOOOOOD care of it too.
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 | banjerman says:
8/18/2012 8:54:01 AM
Ok ..your the godfather Gary! Do I have to come to some kind of Sicilian birthday party or something? I would have kept the neck intact Gary but whoever owned it never cut their nails. It has the biggest divets of any neck board I have ever seen. Its useless to play. I decided to reuse the inlay and peghead to keep it as original as possible. Ill keep the tenor neck but just as a reminder to myself to cut my nails.
Wally
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 | jimh269b says:
8/18/2012 9:17:47 AM
nothing like them ole pre-wars wally
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 | dgill says:
8/19/2012 4:06:34 PM
Good news Wally. They are a bit different sounding banjo and one that most either love or could do without. I love mine and thank Gary and Jim for helping me hold on to the love.
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| banjerman says:
8/19/2012 7:08:15 PM
Well its gonna be my final Jo Im sure. Got a 29 that peels paint and now Im wanting that tone banjo for fiddle tunes
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| gdoc says:
8/19/2012 7:29:14 PM
Your going to be happy. The sound of the BB banjos is unique to itself. A very sweet tone that rings of a brass bell. There is nothing harsh about the sound like some other banjos.
Once you hear one, nothing else will do.
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 | Fathand says:
8/20/2012 8:02:19 AM
I love my 25. Bought it 30 years ago because I frail and pick 3 finger. Great tone for both.
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 | Ks_5-picker says:
8/22/2012 7:09:28 AM
I've got a flathead ring in my '26 now. Still has the bearings in it,however. I've always wondered what the BBs would sound like with a brass tone ring shaped like the original steel ring. I'm working in a machine shop now,and I just bought a banjo for my partner,who wants to learn how to play. Maybe some day I can talk him into making a brass ring shaped like the original.
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| banjerman says:
8/22/2012 9:32:42 AM
I have a pile of bridges for flatheads but will they be ok for the BB? Any magic ones for BB's?
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| gdoc says:
8/22/2012 5:31:26 PM
Ks 5-picker,
I asked Monte Hendricks about the tone ring not being brass, as I always thought they were. He gave me some nice information about brass, bronze etc.
And he double check with my banjo that he has in his shop right now.
The tone rings, and for that mater rest of the parts are brass. Yellow brass to be exact. He said that type of material was often used for rolling into tubes.
Boy, you had me wondering there.....(if we're talking about the same thing)....
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| gdoc says:
8/22/2012 5:36:29 PM
banjerman,
Good luck on finding the right bridge. I never put much stock into (parts) making that much difference, but I sure got my clock cleaned there.
Parts can and do make huge differences. Problem for me is I just don't have that much engery to go through all the hassle. Once I get it sounding good, I just quit messing with it.
And ball bearings are real forgiving in getting them to sound good.
The other problem for me, is setting up a banjo and playing it for a couple weeks at least, letting parts settle in and all, I can't remember the difference after the next change.
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| banjerman says:
8/23/2012 3:54:35 AM
I went to Arthur Hatfields and I got to try bridges that were made from the same block of wood. The difference was hard to believe. I figure the BB is maybe a tad different than a flathead when it comes to bridges. Yeah Gary, rims and resonators are the chief among the ones that can make or break a good sound IMO.
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| Ks_5-picker says:
8/24/2012 7:10:47 AM
Thanks Gdoc,don't know where I got the idea the rings were steel,must have read it on the internet. haha. Wally,the best bridge I found for mine was a heavy Snuffy Smith.
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| banjerman says:
8/28/2012 5:45:35 PM
Im losing my bean I guess. This banjo is a 26 and not a 25 as I originally stated. No Mastertone on the peghead and no holes on the outside of the ring. Please filter anything I say from now on thru a senior citizen filter.. Jeez
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 | BBKing26 says:
2/25/2013 8:33:09 AM
I make reproduction Gibson style 2 foot bridges from an original. I use them on my banjos. Along with a skin head, the tone is hard to beat, in my opinion.
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