I recently acquired this style 3 neck in a trade and was struck by how nice it is, apart from the very mismatched tuners. The gentleman I got it from has no idea who made it and while I have some theories, I don’t know for sure. A trusted member of my banjo brain trust and I think it may be from the work shop of Frank Neat, but we could well be wrong there. I’d sure appreciate any helpful input on the matter as I will likely sell this neck in the near future and wish to advertise it accurately. Thank you!
It doesn't appear to have any distinguishing features that would point to a specific maker. It could have been made by Frank Neat, but it could have just as easily been made by Clancy Mullins, Tim Davis, Arthur Hatfield, Robin Smith, Chris Sorensen, Eric Sullivan, or Randall Wyatt. All of them are top-notch banjo makers.
Who cuts a U shaped truss rod slot ?
Looks to be a clean job, in any case.
Are those "numbers" that I see inside the heel cut?
Can you upload a pic of the fret ends and the truss rod cavity? I can likely tell you if it's a Neat neck with those pictures.
I've always cut a round bottom trussrod slot on my necks and all of them I made at Stelling had round bottom trussrod slots. Never saw a need to do different
Nice Masterclone neck.
Looks like a nice neck for sure but I do t think it's a Neat neck. Here are pics of the truss rod cavity and fret ends of a Neat neckt I recently received. All necks I've gotten from Frank have had identical truss rod cavities and fret ends. There are definitely people that have done more business with Frank than I have but I have gotten 10 or so necks in the last 7 or so years
quote:
Originally posted by plarsLooks like a nice neck for sure but I do t think it's a Neat neck. Here are pics of the truss rod cavity and fret ends of a Neat neckt I recently received. All necks I've gotten from Frank have had identical truss rod cavities and fret ends. There are definitely people that have done more business with Frank than I have but I have gotten 10 or so necks in the last 7 or so years
Jimmy Cox said many times that Frank Neat was the best neck man in the business.
