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Gibson Ballbearing Owners Group

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All those who own or would like to own one of these wonderful instruments are invited to join.

119 Members, Created 1/26/2011 -

Administrators: Couchie (owner)

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From loggerhead on 10/17/2013 7:27:03 AM

I am considering a tenor to 5-string BB conversion project and will be needing a quality neck, followed by a good set-up. I am looking for recommendations for a builder who has special interest in the BBs, or who has particular expertise in getting the best out of these Gibsons. I would appreciate any suggestions from those who have worked with builders in the past. Thanks

4 Comments
	gdoc says: 10/17/2013 8:00:13 AM I don't think there's any trick or secret to setting up a BB banjo that's any different from any other banjo. It will all come down to personal taste anyway. You can tweak the sound of any banjo from here to there and back again just by playing with the "moveable" parts, tail piece, head tension, different bridges etc. But the basic sound is already there, and the unique sound of the BB banjos beyond that is all personal. So, I suggest getting someone who can build a great neck with the correct angle, strings centered properly, and then play with the rest yourself. Move the tail piece up and down and listen to the changes. Different bridges are a biggie too, but I don't think you can dial that in, in just 5 minutes of listening. Listen for a couple weeks at least, get used to the sound, record it for future reference, then try a different bridge. With each bridge tried, your going to have to experiment with tail piece settings and possibly head tension. It's the only way to really find out. Might take you several months to get it really tweaked the exact way you want it. But you can get it really close in a week or two.
	gdoc says: 10/17/2013 8:05:12 AM Oh, forgot. I had Monty Hendricks of Pollock Pines Calif build my neck. It took him awhile but worth the wait. The neck is perfection. perfect. 3 months later I'm still tweaking it.
	Dave1climber says: 10/17/2013 8:16:03 AM John Boulding has many happy clients. He is on BHO as Banjophobic.
	loggerhead says: 10/19/2013 4:33:22 PM Thanks gdoc and Dave1climber. I appreciate the comments and suggestions. I'm glad to do my own tinkering and adjusting--in fact, that's a great deal of the fun of banjos, IMHO. What I meant to convey in my query is that I'd like to engage a luthier who really knows about, thinks about, and cares about the Ball-Bearing Gibsons. I've heard good things about John Boulding, and have had very positive dealings with Don Bryant (also here in NC) on a different banjo project. But if there is someone who is looked to as a BB "specialist" I'd be interested to get his input as well Thanks again for any help.
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