Just sent my BB for a new neck to be built by John Boulding.

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Gibson Conversion Conversationalists Unltd.

Join This Group

The purpose of this group is neither to condemn or condone the conversion banjos of Gibson manufacture but share them to all!

180 Members, Created 1/26/2011 -

Administrators: plunka5 (owner) , Arthur Hatfield , banjodr , Bill-in-NC , bryantde , flatthead , revellfa

< Back to Home

From Wes Lassiter on 2/13/2012 10:13:54 AM

I am sad to say my 26 BB's orginal 5 neck is toast. The truss rod will not adjust and the only possible fix is to take the finger board off and put in a new truss rod. That kind of surgery I am afraid is to invasive so I am going to retire the neck. It is sad for the sound out of that banjo was killer. John Boulding just finished a new neck for a 25 and I must say he did an impecable job on that one. He just finished a prewar parts banjo neck for me. All vintage parts. The banjo for just being put together is amazing. I realize it will take a year or so for it to get really setteled in but I am dead positive it will be more amazing than it is now. Anyway any thoughts you all have on this new neck would be appreciated.

6 Comments
	moparcolt says: 2/15/2012 7:03:53 PM some times they can replace the truss rod without removing the finger board, you might look into that before giving up completely on the old neck, Since you will have a new neck to use in the mean time you wouldn't be in a hurry, i would check with some good neck builders and see what may be possible. Some one like Wyatt Fawley could probably fix it and you would never be able to tell it had been worked on. I would love to see pictures of your new neck! I have a 28 TB-3 I want to have one made for. I am checking around to get prices and some reviews from hangout members on who makes really nice conversion necks. Chris 8540359@gmail.com
	Wes Lassiter says: 2/15/2012 7:27:05 PM Chris, I like the way you think. I will give that a try, I just do not want to see that old neck go down considering it has been around for 87 years!! Keep in touch..
	gailg64 says: 2/15/2012 7:33:43 PM Wes, I also have a fabulous sounding but ramshackle ballbearing RB-3 (5 string) of that same vintage & have to face the fact that its neck could crash & burn at any moment. I try to baby it but can't help playing it all the time. John Boulding does fine work. He did some skilled luthier-y on my conversion 28 TB-1, fixing a neck that was more Vega style to conform to Gibson specs. It's been almost a year now & it's settled in nicely-- plays, sounds (and looks!) better than ever.
	Wes Lassiter says: 2/15/2012 7:44:09 PM I will most certainly give John the first shot at this. He just finished a 30's vintage parts banjo with a Burlisle ring. I cannot tell you what an amazing banjo this is. I just posted some pics of it on my site here. This BB also has that old world tone, ancient tones as Monroe put it. it has all that.
	plunka5 says: 3/16/2012 2:58:29 AM You may be able to get a luthier to relieve pressure on the truss rod, and then "heat" the neck to take out the bow (forward or back) by clamping with heat. Sometimes that can be an option rather than removing the fingerboard, or shaving the fingerboard to remove the bow?
	Wes Lassiter says: 3/16/2012 5:48:31 AM The truss rod is broken. I am sending it to a luthier to relieve the truss rod and heat the neck before I give John the final go ahead. I really would like that neck on the banjo. Thanks for the advice though.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

	Burlile Tone Ring - Pending Linked by scarroll 4 years ago
	1929 TB-3 Gibson Conversion and Calton Case! REDUCED! Linked by banjo5don 6 years ago
	Gibson Tb3 1928 conversion uk Linked by ian tofte 7 years ago: For sale in the uk
	Gibson MB00 30's conversion banjo Linked by ian tofte 9 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 9 years ago: Trapdoor conversion
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 10 years ago: Kelley conversion ring for sale
	Sullivan neck with Hopper cam tuners.(Trade pending) Linked by TOMCAT 10 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 11 years ago: My dad's 1932 Archtop OPF with a Kelley conversion ring and a hide head.
	Banjo Magic in Area 51 Linked by J Ward 11 years ago: Donnie Little releasing the tone of a 31 TB conversion in "Area 51" no less!
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 11 years ago