Now doing songs instead of tunes and needing to sing in E. I want to keep the tunings that I use now, not interested in learning new versions in new keys, I'm playing clawhammer.
I can get open F out of my 26.5 Tradesman, but need to drop another half step. I'm not tall with long arms, do not want Seeger long neck, just a bit more. I see that Recording King RK-75 has 27 3/8s scale but do not want the weight and bulk of a resonator. So a few questions:
Is that banjo workable without resonator?
Are RK-75 necks available to be mated with an open back pot?
Anyone know any other banjo with a close scale? I've seen vintage Vegas that qualify, but trying to find a standard product.
The one piece flange isn't going to be convertible.
Are you going to be using Nylon/gut or steel strings?
I am an open back clawhammer player but I also own an RK 85 which is the same as the 75 but different wood. I don't like the way this banjo sounds without the resonator. I'm also not crazy about the way it sounds playing clawhammer with the resonator on. It might sound better with a different setup. I'm not sure. A higher bridge might make a difference because the action is quite low.
I’ll make you one. I recently made one for Mike Gregory that is about the scale length you want. A resonator banjo 26&1/4” 1st string to a 27&1/4” 4th string. Archtop with the bridge placement for clawhammer. It’ll be ready in 5 months.
Could you just use thicker strings on your current banjo? (prob no need to get a new one...)
John Hartford used thicker strings to tune down to open D - look into those sets and get something just a bit thinner?
Thanks Douglas. I'm playing steel strings.
Glenn, I understand and think that a different head and bridge and setup would mellow the sound.
quote:
Originally posted by banjo bill-eThanks Douglas. I'm playing steel strings.
Glenn, I understand and think that a different head and bridge and setup would mellow the sound.
I agree that you can just use the same 27" scale and use heavier strings to achieve the lower pitch. 27" is already a bit long for the usual G tuning, and one needs fairly light steel strings to make it work without snapping 5th strings. I suggest you try sizing up the gauges based on your usual string diameters and using the same banjo. The only downside to that arrangement is that you skip over the thrill of acquiring a new instrument.
Tried the Hartford strings but too heavy for what I need. Once upon a time RK sold parts and pieces so I was wondering if just a neck could be purchased and mated to an open back pot, but those days seem to be behind us.
Elderly has a FP-5 at a reasonable price, curious how that 11" pot would fit me as I am used to 12" pots? I just wish that I could try it first but I'm too far away. Whine whine!
Any number of pre-war Vega open backs had 27"scale standard. Some even had 28" scale (with larger diameter heads).
You can find these fairly easily.
Good price. long established dealer. NFI. If you want a brighter sound, you might want to change the head.
https://www.gbase.com/gear/vega-whyte-laydie-2-5-string-banjo-1924
A good deal if I ever saw one. Why a banjo like that languishes when new ones sell for more just bewilders me.
I'm scratching my head at the idea that 27" is now considered long and unusual.
Weird how things have changed.
I could be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure the Tradesman banjos are 25.5” scale length. If so, you could probably get by with a standard 26.25” setup.
Yes Jason, thanks, I got that wrong. It should be fairly easy to try out a 26.25 at a decent store and see if that works. What I would like is simply one more fret on what I have now, so from 25.5 to 27 adds about 1.5 inch, which is probably not a full fret length at that scale but should be close enough. That RK scale looks perfect and I wish that they would put that on an open back pot for me.
quote:
Originally posted by banjo bill-eTried the Hartford strings but too heavy for what I need.
Those aren't all that much heavier than some "medium" sets. I use GHS PF160 (11-13-16-26w-10), sometimes substituting a .018w for the third, on a ~24-1/4" 'a-scale', usually tuned to G, but it works just fine tuned down to F, too. It shouldn't be hard to come up with a set that works at E on a standard Gibson scale. I think Dock Boggs often tuned his Mastertone that low. Probably used those big old Gibson strings with a wound 3rd. (Anybody else remember those?)
What sort of gauges do you like at regular G pitch?
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