7 Comments |
 | Dan Pennington says:
10/22/2012 9:33:50 AM
Shannon
I've made a couple of long necks using the GT800 necks. IMHO, you won't find a better neck until you get into the much more expensive necks like a Fawley or Deering or an original Vega. Did you get it from Gold Tone or the Folk Shop?
Just some random thoughts on your project.
The type of rim won't make a lot of difference as you plan to overpower it with a big metal tone ring. I'm a block rim fan cause that's what I make. (Shameless self promotion: PM me and I can make whatever shape of block rim you need.)
The type of head, bridge, and tail piece will dictate the sound more than rim.
The heel angle of the GT neck right out of the box will give you a 5/8 bridge. You will need only a single coord rod setup.
A rolled brass rod tone ring sitting on nail or screw heads will give you a loud bright sound almost the equal of a tuba or WL ring. And cost about $100 less.I've found there to be not much difference in the sound between a 3/4 in. thick block rim and a 1/2 in.
Dan
|
 | Mulligan says:
10/22/2012 10:13:12 AM
I'm not a construction expert but one thing you should consider is weight and how you will play the instrument. If you are in a band, these long necks get very heavy by the end of a gig. I sent my long neck back to Gold Tone for a thinner rim and replacement of a really nice bell brass tone ring with a Whyte Ladie just for those reasons. Cut the weight almost in half. My Gibson 175 has a rolled tone ring and is even lighter. If you want more "plunk" than "ping" or sustain you don't need a heavy ring.
|
 | vega long neck says:
10/22/2012 11:02:12 AM
The Deering news letter is running a great story on "how a Banjo Works". Good overview of tone, color, sustain, sharpness, etc. Other books, like Siminoffs, also go into this nicely....... energy paths in a block vs. laminated rims, stress in block vs. laminated, and so forth. Lots of materiel by people who have studied such things a lot more and a lot longer than me.
|
 | shannonhearne says:
10/23/2012 1:04:40 PM
My Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.
And to "Vega", I too found the Deering article very helpful. Good stuff.
Thank again,
-shannon
|
 | longneckpat says:
10/25/2012 1:24:18 PM
As a long neck fanatic, I have four long neck banjos, a Merlin aluminium for sentimentality sake (Luke Kelly) and rarety, a Deering custom Folk Era with a no hole flat-head tone ring, a Deering Vega long neck with bracket band, ply rim, tubaphone tone ring (my work horse) and a Wildwood Minstrel (great banjo) with block rim, tubaphone tone ring and no bracket band. I did convert a '60's Vega Folklore to a Whyte Laydie tone ring and sold it on. It did sound good though. My personal choice is definitely tubaphone tone ring, maple block or ply rim. I don't think it makes a big difference. Hope this helps, not confuses!
|
 | Helix says:
11/20/2012 11:27:48 AM
Think of the voice you want, Cherry is nice in bass and mid-range, no bracket band to choke the rim. My new favorite is an openback with a tube from tube & plate. works great. No holes. Weighs 7 pounds WITH the tone ring.
Target your weight and voice.
|
| shannonhearne says:
12/13/2012 2:36:21 PM
My "Thanks" and sincere appreciation to "Pat" and "Helix" for the excellent info and advice.
Really helpful guys. Thank you.
-shannon
|
Post a Comment
|
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.
|
