I am just getting back to playing my Vega long neck after a departure to bluegrass for many decades. What is your preferred strap for the long neck, and which brackets do you attach it to? Thanks, Michael
11 Comments |
 | TonyS says:
5/15/2022 5:24:41 PM
I have to count the brackets, bottom of course, then maybe 3 or 4 from the neck. I can open it and increase the length so my left arm doesn't hurt.
Old time cool looking...bought some fancy comfy one but that's not the issue. I just don't have to reach up with my left and I'm ok....
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| TonyS says:
5/16/2022 3:38:52 AM
...also I put the pot a little to the side to decrease the reach
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 | reese158 says:
5/16/2022 5:44:22 AM
I have long debated whether or not to screw an eyebolt into my neck as Pete did. Perhaps my banjo is heavier than others, but the neck invariably sinks toward the floor as I play. I think the only way to truly balance a long neck is to do what Pete did.
Since I am too chicken to do it though, I have used a heavy leather cradle strap with a shoulder pad made by Levy. Of the straps I’ve tried, it works best to keep the neck from sinking on me.
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| reese158 says:
5/16/2022 7:05:54 AM
I have long debated whether or not to screw an eyebolt into my neck as Pete did. Perhaps my banjo is heavier than others, but the neck invariably sinks toward the floor as I play. I think the only way to truly balance a long neck is to do what Pete did.
Since I am too chicken to do it though, I have used a heavy leather cradle strap with a shoulder pad made by Levy. Of the straps I’ve tried, it works best to keep the neck from sinking on me.
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| TonyS says:
5/17/2022 3:10:00 PM
I thought the same solution but I'm usually not allowed to use power tools lol
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 | corcoran says:
5/17/2022 3:42:25 PM
Thanks for the information. Implanting an eyebolt into the neck would, from my perspective, require major surgery. I would not attempt it myself, and I am not sure the banjo would fit in the case with an eyebolt installed. In the videos on youtube, Bob Gibson plays the banjo with a skinny strap and no eyebolt. So there are other options, although the thing is probably not balanced.
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 | rands says:
5/28/2022 1:05:44 PM
Mine has a tone ring, which probably makes a difference, but it feels almost balanced with my Lakota bison strap connected to the 2nd hook below the neck and 5th above. It is not a cradle strap.
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| corcoran says:
5/29/2022 9:24:43 AM
Thanks, Randall, I tried your configuration for the strap, and it works. My Vega long neck (by Deering) has a tone ring, of course, but it seems to balance with the strap connecting on the 2nd hook below the neck and the 5th above. Problem solved.
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 | Claude Grassley says:
6/7/2022 11:14:22 AM
My neck keeps dropping regardless of which method I use as previously discussed. I'm about ready to go ahead and put an eyehook in both of mine (I have two). Better to be comfortable playing than worrying about how the banjo looks....
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| Claude Grassley says:
7/15/2022 4:55:07 AM
Well I pulled the trigger and put eye hooks in both of my long necks. I suppose some would say it ruined the banjo but boy it sure is a lot easier to play now and is way more comfortable. No regrets. I don't plan on selling them anyway so I'm not worried about resale value.
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| TonyS says:
7/15/2022 10:00:43 AM
Well good for Pete, good for you! But I wouldn't try it at my current skill level...
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