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Jan 16, 2025 - 9:48:38 PM
22 posts since 8/9/2019

Thinking of getting a long neck banjo, but curious to know what other long neck pickers think: How do I capo to a lower key when string five starts at the eighth fret? Or is there a way to retune the fifth string so it fits?

Edited by - Randwulf on 01/16/2025 22:40:48

Jan 17, 2025 - 4:42:36 AM
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dbrooks

USA

4832 posts since 3/11/2004

When I played my longneck Vega regularly, I would tune the 5th string down when I needed to play in a lower key.  Ther was no problem doing that.  I will say that, like most longneck owners except Pete, the capo was at the 3rd fret most of the time.

David

Jan 17, 2025 - 6:22:18 AM
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Corwyn

USA

1716 posts since 1/9/2006

I would presume there would be a note in the chord your are tuning to (for open tunings) that would be pretty close to the fifth string note. For example, tuning to open-A, I would tune the fifth to F#. Is that not how it is done?

Thank you kindly.

Jan 17, 2025 - 6:45:47 AM
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Rusty

USA

264 posts since 1/9/2007

You just retune the 5th string or put spikes. I play a Deering Longneck Kingston Trio and love it!

Jan 17, 2025 - 7:30:06 AM
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Rusty

USA

264 posts since 1/9/2007

quote:
Originally posted by Randwulf

Thinking of getting a long neck banjo, but curious to know what other long neck pickers think: How do I capo to a lower key when string five starts at the eighth fret? Or is there a way to retune the fifth string so it fits?


You capo at the third string, which is the same as a regular banjo, it puts you in open G tuning.

Jan 17, 2025 - 9:43:39 AM
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Edwards

USA

213 posts since 3/26/2014

I’m with Rusty, Topher, and Dave on this. I only got a long neck about three years ago, and I always wind down the fifth string. I Learn Bluegrass, and claw-hammer first. And Rusty, I’m a little jealous of your Kingston, trio, long neck. But happy with my long neck I have. I’ve yet to run into a shop where I can try one.

Jan 17, 2025 - 12:12:01 PM

22 posts since 8/9/2019

Thanks, all! This is great advice. And I'm also jelly of that Deering Kingston Trio LN - something for me to aspire to!

Jan 17, 2025 - 8:23:06 PM

4965 posts since 5/14/2007

The long neck was developed to be played with a capo on it, though it has a really interesting sound played open. If I were going to play mine without a capo all the time, I might use a heavier fifth string, so it wouldn't be too floppy when tuned to an E note.

Randwulf, you can retune the fifth string either up or down to fit the key you're playing in.

When I'm playing in a G or C tuning, with my capo at the third fret, I tune the fifth string to G. If I capo at the first string and play those tunings, they sound either F or B flat and I would tune the fifth string down two frets (a whole step) to F, which would sound right in those two keys.

Edited by - John Gribble on 01/17/2025 20:26:01

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