Banjo friends,
The neck is fretting out badly at the first fret, and also somewhat above the 17th. Assuming I can correct it via the truss rod, do I need more relief or less relief? Or in other words, do I turn the truss rod clockwise or anti-clockwise? (tighten or loosen).
thx
Deering has a decent write up on this here: https://www.deeringbanjos.com/blogs/faqs/10271809-banjo-neck-adjustments
Considering the location of your problems, I suggest that it would be better to leave the truss rod alone and find a highly seasoned repair person to figure out what's causing the problem with your neck and frets.
From what you've said, it's not unlikely that you have loose or uneven frets or bumps in your fingerboard. If so, adjusting the rod isn't going to fix the problem.
Edited by - rcc56 on 09/08/2024 11:06:10
The Deering video is pretty straight forward. This is an adjustment that is required fairly often. It is a good skill for all banjo players to acquire. Also, head tension and the down pressure of the tailpiece are worth checking while you're at it.
quote:
Originally posted by rcc56Considering the location of your problems, I suggest that it would be better to leave the truss rod alone and find a highly seasoned repair person to figure out what's causing the problem with your neck and frets.
From what you've said, it's not unlikely that you have loose or uneven frets or bumps in your fingerboard. If so, adjusting the rod isn't going to fix the problem.
Yes you might be right. This is my last ditch effort before I pay UPS $250 x 2 to ship it to a repairman out of state.
quote:
Originally posted by Laurence Diehlquote:
Originally posted by rcc56Considering the location of your problems, I suggest that it would be better to leave the truss rod alone and find a highly seasoned repair person to figure out what's causing the problem with your neck and frets.
From what you've said, it's not unlikely that you have loose or uneven frets or bumps in your fingerboard. If so, adjusting the rod isn't going to fix the problem.Yes you might be right. This is my last ditch effort before I pay UPS $250 x 2 to ship it to a repairman out of state.
$250????? Yikes!!!!
Pirateship.com is your friend...
There's got to be someone up there who understands necks and frets. We evaluate, repair, and adjust necks and frets the same way whether the instrument is a banjo, guitar, or even an electric bass.
Can't Dusty Strings take care of it? Or at least refer you to someone in the area who can?
Well friends I was highly skeptical that a truss rod adjustment would fix this but I backed it off a full quarter turn and it actually worked!
Thanks for the Deering link, it’s very clear.
I'm glad that it worked out for you. I saw your other thread and it's really odd that you don't have a banjo luthier in the area.
Yes it sucks. That’s why I’m trying to learn as much as I can do but myself.
Hey there,
I've seen ads from this guy Gene up near Seattle on CL for several years and even bought a banjo from him a long time ago. I'm not sure if he's a luthier or just an enthusiast/re-seller, but he's mentioned that he's worked on banjos. Might be worth a phone call, or maybe you've done the repair. yourself now!
seattle.craigslist.org/kit/msg...1538.html
quote:
Originally posted by Laurence DiehlWell friends I was highly skeptical that a truss rod adjustment would fix this but I backed it off a full quarter turn and it actually worked!
Thanks for the Deering link, it’s very clear.
Laurence, Glad that worked out for you. Correctly adjusting an instruments truss rod is a valuable skill and will not harm an instrument.
I live in Minnesota where seasonal climate changes can be extreme. I have many guitars and a few banjos, some of which need occasional truss rod tweaking depending upon ever changing climatic conditions. I do have a couple of instruments that never need to be touched. If an instrument has been playing fine over a period of time and suddenly starts to buzz or the action becomes high, it's likely a truss rod adjustment is necessary. If you change string gauges it can affect neck relief and will require a truss adjustment.
Notice that professional musicians often permanently remove their truss rod access covers because they frequently adjust truss rods as they travel about the country.
Hi Laurence,
I'm in Seattle and am happy to give an opinion. The problems you described can be truss rod adjustment as well as other things. I mostly do work on older banjos and am not in the regular business of repair so my name isn't out there publicly. Get in touch if you'd like to talk.
quote:
Originally posted by jfhascallHi Laurence,
I'm in Seattle and am happy to give an opinion. The problems you described can be truss rod adjustment as well as other things. I mostly do work on older banjos and am not in the regular business of repair so my name isn't out there publicly. Get in touch if you'd like to talk.
Thanks. You're right there are a lot of variables. I'm trying to attach a repro ode neck made by Tommy George of Memphis to an ode C pot. Tommy used my old neck as a guide so it should work. Unfortunately you have to completely disassemble the banjo to get at the truss rod. Also the holes in the rim are larger than the lag bolts so there's some play and it's hard to position the neck. If it requires anything major I should ship it back to Tommy, but shipping is very expensive now and it's a hassle.
Marrying new and old components can be challenging. Let me know if you'd like another set of eyes on the problem. I'm around for the next couple of weeks.
I always base basic questions like this with a measurement of the clearance of the string(s) above the top of the 1st fret.
quote:
Originally posted by jfhascallMarrying new and old components can be challenging. Let me know if you'd like another set of eyes on the problem. I'm around for the next couple of weeks.
Thanks for the offer. I'm actually on Bainbridge and I don't get into the city on a regular basis.
I'm going to ship it back to Tommy, who made the neck. This is not a standard problem that a setup guy could deal with, it might take more work than that, so I think I have no other choice.
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