Banjo Hangout Logo
Banjo Hangout Logo

Premier Sponsors

2360
Banjo Lovers Online


Jan 23, 2025 - 1:16:10 PM
151 posts since 6/6/2015

I had a neck fitted to a pot assembly by a well known luthier/builder. The first string sets much closer to the adjacent hook than the 5th string sets to it's adjacent hook. I remember seeing the evaluation on the new Epiphones and reading that this is a result of poor quality control. How does this uneven string spacing effect tone, or playability?

Jan 23, 2025 - 1:33:33 PM
Players Union Member

RioStat

USA

6430 posts since 10/12/2009

quote:
Originally posted by Realbluegrassfan

I had a neck fitted to a pot assembly by a well known luthier/builder. The first string sets much closer to the adjacent hook than the 5th string sets to it's adjacent hook. I remember seeing the evaluation on the new Epiphones and reading that this is a result of poor quality control. How does this uneven string spacing effect tone, or playability?


What "hooks" are you referring to ?

Do you mean that the first string sets closer to the edge of the fretboard, than the 5th does?

Or am I missing something here?

Jan 23, 2025 - 2:44:43 PM

151 posts since 6/6/2015

Yes, the first string is sets closer to the edge of the fretboard than the fifth string does. Sorry if I did not explain the situation clearly.

Jan 23, 2025 - 2:50:22 PM
likes this

4978 posts since 10/13/2005

Could be 1) improper spaced bridge/nut slots 2) improper neck to pot fit 3) a twisted neck 4) a tailpiece misalignment 5 ?. banjered

Jan 23, 2025 - 3:49:29 PM
likes this
Players Union Member

RioStat

USA

6430 posts since 10/12/2009

Is the third string centered on the fretboard ?

You should be able to just very gently slide the bridge in the direction towards the 5th string, until you have same spacing of 1st string and 5th string to the edges of the fretboard

Jan 23, 2025 - 4:36:24 PM
like this

pinenut

USA

175 posts since 10/2/2007

1)  Check the tailpiece for center between the hooks (if the tension ring is rotated accurately) and perpendicular to its mounting bolt; center the tailpiece to it's location.
2)  Jiggle the bridge to find its natural center and put it there.
3)  If this doesn't center the strings on the heel (close enough); I would communicate my concerns to the luthier.

P.S.  everybody wants to see pictures...  Depending on how bad it is, determines the answers to your questions.

Edited by - pinenut on 01/23/2025 16:44:00

Jan 30, 2025 - 2:43:31 PM
like this

151 posts since 6/6/2015

I have been away from my post for a few days, but I had forgotten to mention that I could not get all four resonator retention screws to go into the sidewall lugs on the resonator either.

I found that the tailpiece was not centered, and was looe enough that I could puush it over to center fairly easily. I then pushed the bridge over and this appears to have corrected the string alignment issue.

The resonator wall lugs were evidently not perfectly centered as in order to get all four thumbscrews into their respective lugs, one lug had to be turned at a slight angle to get the thumbscrew inserted. It takes some effort to get all four lined up and fully inserted.

Thanks to all that replied.

Jan 31, 2025 - 11:30:24 AM
like this

1945 posts since 9/10/2003

Did you try just threading all four thumb screws about 1/4 first, not tightening them down all the way? If not, then center the flange to the resonator as you finish tightening the screws the rest of the way down. If they still don't line up you also can tighten or loosen the wall lugs to angle them to the angle of the thumb screws.

Feb 2, 2025 - 2:32:27 PM

151 posts since 6/6/2015

I did try tightening the lugs alternately, did not work. I did have to loosen the wall lugs and angle each one to start thumbscrews to get them all in.

Thank you for the advice.

Feb 2, 2025 - 3:22:02 PM

Brett

USA

2713 posts since 11/29/2005

Resonator sidewall lugs install and location is a hard earned skill. It’s not for the faint of heart. Many of the older bow tie Gibson’s came out of the factory with crooked resonator thumbscrews to get everything to line up.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent
Copyright 2025 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.





Hangout Network Help

View All Topics  |  View Categories

0.28125