5th string 'whatsit?

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Stelling Owners Club

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For those who own or want to own the ultimate banjo. www.stellingbanjo.com

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From Richj on 10/19/2021 10:31:39 PM

Hi Folks,

I'm the very pleased owner of a 1998 'sunflower'. Not that it's a problem but I notice the 5th string goes directly onto the fingerboard and not via a 'thingy' ( heaven knows that they are called!!) As on other banjos I have played. I presume such things are used to guide the string and protect the edge of the fingerboard or maybe stop the string being pulled off!? Is this normal or am I missing something? Also, just so I don't continue to sound so useless, what should I call such devices?

All very best,

Richj...

9 Comments
	gotvim72 says: 10/20/2021 7:19:32 AM That seems odd, I'm guessing you mean the spike that is installed at bottom of the 5th fret (and just below the tuner)? I feel like that should be there on a 5-string. I'd recommend taking a couple photo's and emailing them to Geoff directly
	Geoff Stelling says: 10/20/2021 8:28:12 AM Rich, The older Stellings had a RR spike to hold the string at the desired spot on the end of the 5th fret. Nowadays we use what is called a pip or a fifth string nut. That could be made and installed the next time you get a fret job.
Richj says: 10/20/2021 9:33:17 AM Most excellent! Thank you for your advice and thoughts Geoff and gotvim72... All very best, Rich..
	monstertone says: 12/1/2021 11:38:31 AM fwiw: A lot of older banjos had a pip behind the 5th fret, which, actually, increased the 5th string's scale length. This resulted in the 5th string noting sharp whenever it was capoed, necessitating correctional re-tuning. There is nothing wrong with a spike behind the 5th fret.
Richj says: 12/1/2021 12:03:39 PM Thank you monstertone!
	monstertone says: 12/5/2021 1:34:08 PM fwiw: Earl Scruggs had an additional short fret, only for the 5th string, just ahead of the regular 5th fret on the latest neck of the Granada. This shortened the 5th string's scale length enough to compensate for spiking it.
Richj says: 12/7/2021 12:20:32 AM Fascinating! Thank you Monstertone!
	Geoff Stelling says: 2/14/2022 10:41:40 AM Rich, I may have answered this before, but I'll say this anyway: The fifth string can be held by a spike in front of the 5th fret or what is called a pip at the end of the fifth fret. After your banjo was made we elected to use pips on all our banjos and place them slightly ahead of the fifth fret to help with intonation when using the fifth string RR spikes.
Richj says: 2/14/2022 12:12:19 PM Geoff... thank you so much for all your help and advice . My banjo sounds amazing.... I'm trying to play it so it continues that way!!!!!
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