Has any one played or considered a long neck with the 5th string at the 5th fret instead of the 8th fret? I have heard rumors that some of these might have been built but not sure who or when. I can understand having it at the 8th fret if you capo at the 3rd fret all the time but then why have a long neck if you are going to be playing it that way.
9 Comments |
 | Michael R says:
3/17/2017 9:27:52 AM
Well a 5th fret position would make the banjo the key of E or A. So what songs would sound better played on a banjo in E or A with the added low range? I suggested Blackberry Blossom. Anybody try it?
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 | darwinyarwin says:
3/17/2017 10:03:15 AM
I'm with ya, Wiz. I dunno why anybody would want the 5th peg there. It wouldn't even LOOK right. Mo' better to stick to a 22-fret standard 5-string in that case, imho.
Michael - there are a buncha songs that would sound good in E and A on my LN if somebody with talent played it. My fave is "Hobo's Lullaby". I never mind tuning the 5th string down.
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 | John Gribble says:
3/17/2017 4:56:50 PM
Actually, there was such an instrument talked about here on the Hangout a few months ago. I think it was on the Construction and Repair forum. I'm too computer-fumbley to find it.
The reason for the original Seeger-style long neck was to allow easy access to keys like B-flat in C tuning and F in G tuning using a capo and minor re-tuning or spiking of the fifth string.
If the goal is to play early (minstrel-era) banjo banjo tunes in original keys on a modern instrument (fretted, heavy tonering, steel strings), or simply to play in a lower (baritone) range, sure. The peg at the fifth fret makes sense, especially if one regularly frets the fifth string.
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| John Gribble says:
3/17/2017 5:06:41 PM
Actually, there was such an instrument written about here on the Hangout a few months ago. I think it was on the construction forum, but I'm too computer-fumbley this morning to find it.
The purpose of Seeger's modification was to allow quick and easy access to keys like B-flat in C tuning or F in G tuning by sliding the capo and either re-tuning or spiking the fifth string.
If on the other hand your goal is to play minstrel-era banjo tunes in original keys on a modern-style banjo (fretted, tone ring, steel strings), or to play in a lower, baritone range, the peg at the fifth fret makes sense. This is especially true if you fret the fifth string regularly.
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| John Gribble says:
3/17/2017 5:07:03 PM
Actually, there was such an instrument written about here on the Hangout a few months ago. I think it was on the construction forum, but I'm too computer-fumbley this morning to find it.
The purpose of Seeger's modification was to allow quick and easy access to keys like B-flat in C tuning or F in G tuning by sliding the capo and either re-tuning or spiking the fifth string.
If on the other hand your goal is to play minstrel-era banjo tunes in original keys on a modern-style banjo (fretted, tone ring, steel strings), or to play in a lower, baritone range, the peg at the fifth fret makes sense. This is especially true if you fret the fifth string regularly.
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| John Gribble says:
3/17/2017 5:09:28 PM
Sorry about the multiple posts. Like I said, computer-fumbley this morning.
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 | wizofos says:
3/18/2017 11:25:37 AM
I sing baritone and main reason for playing is to sing along. Teach my grandkids Irish drinking songs to embarrass their parents. I am on the process of planning then building a Helix rim long neck and thinking that moving the 5th string to the 5th fret. It just seemed to me an easier way to play open that way. With a RR spike or 5th string capo you can still capo the 1-4 strings at the 3rd fret and play open G.
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 | CraigRison says:
11/22/2017 5:20:37 AM
I just "dove in" and bought The Goldtone from ttrendell banjohangout.org/classified/66660#
it's really nice and FedEx didn't play rugby with it! Anyways I thought that it would make more sense to have the 5th string at the 5th fret also - but I like not "running into it " with my thumb (when I'm being lazy and wrapping my hand around the neck) until the 8th fret AND when I do finger it for chords in it's open key it works out pretty nice. THe thing I don't like so far is the position markers being set for capo 3. But I LOVE THE deep sound - and sparkly tone of this "whyte ladye" ring & maple really clear & loud. It even has (stock) strings that are lighter than I wan't, but probably good for breaking in my fingers - but I used to play a lot of bass so it feels pretty natural. So nice that I can put the pot over my right hip and not have my arm sticking out far enough to picking cherries!
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| CraigRison says:
11/22/2017 5:25:37 AM
(what I meant by "dove in" is this is my 1st complete useable long neck.)
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