My first open back so how does this mechanism work to help lower the action?
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 01/17/2021 19:03:17
It doesn't lower the action. It's purpose is to hold the neck firmly against the rim.
If you want to lower the action on a banjo with a dowel stick you have two feasible options, use a shorter bridge, or have the dowel stick reset. If your bridge is 1/2" tall then you likely won't find a shorter bridge. A neck reset can be an expensive and time consuming process so make sure that it is necessary before you have it done.
Thanks, appreciate the info. I had no idea what that screw was for, I'll tighten it up and work on the bridge.
Most clawhammer players prefer higher action than bluegrass players. That being said open back builders sometimes build with a higher action designed into their banjos.
My FIL used to jam pennies between the neck end and the hoop. Lol
Loosen the screw and a shim between the end of the fingerboard and rim.
Tighten the screw up.
Gives you a bit of adjustment
Good ideas! Thanks guys!
If you are new to openback banjo playing and maybe have tried guitars or other string instruments first, I would advise against doing anything permanent to the string height to begin with. Possibly someone will come along after my post and suggest that. You will get used to it (unless we are speaking of something that is way off).
I went for a lower bridge to begin with, very low, and slowly adjusted to wanting higher action. A couple of years and a couple of bridge height levels later, I’m actually back to the bridge height the banjo came with. This may not be relevant to your instrument but at least a lower bridge is a ver non destructive way to go.
I once lowered the action on a Celebrated Benary by enlarging the top of the hole for the dowel on the tailpiece end.
By raising that end the neck laid back and we put on a 9/16" bridge.
I carved a crescent moon shaped filler piece from maple for under the dowel end.
Before doing anything, how high/low is the action at the 12th fret now?
Newest Posts
'Best for Playing at Home' 39 min
'Todd banjo' 41 min
'Home sweet Home ending?' 51 min
'Protec' 1 hr
