I just got this Solo Tone plectrum; it's in decent shape structurally, but I'm trying to fix a bungled setup. I can set up an electric guitar in my sleep but I'm new to working on banjos and I'm trying to play things safe.
The main issue is that the tension hoop sits too high, although the drum dial reads 88-90 so I'm disinclined to tighten it much more. I suspect that bringing the head down a full 1/8" would risk splitting it. Is it high because the head has too low a crown? If so, I presume a new head is in order? The current one is a nice old Rogers but I don't think it's original. I see no evidence of modification inside the rim; the tone ring looks correct and is not sitting high.
Second, this banjo has (I think) a neck angle adjustment system I haven't seen before. I've had other Leedy banjos with the clock-wrench system accessible through the heel cap, but I've never seen this with a nut fixed to the dowel. I assume that turning the threaded bolt coming from the rim adjusts the neck angle - can anyone verify? Fortunately the neck angle seems OK right now, but it would be nice to have confirmation of how this functions in case I have to tweak it.
Edited by - OldFrets on 02/12/2025 12:10:26
I had a Solo Tone tenor for a while and have now a Hollander. I just had the same problem with the tension hoop that seemed sitting too high when I put a new head. First, be sure it’s an high crown head. My new head had exactly the same crown height as the one I just removed but the tension hoop was above the fret board. Taking advice on BHO I warmed up the head with a hair dryer and little by little the head and the tension hoop eventually found their right place, no more problem.
About the neck angle adjustment system, I never saw one like yours. The possibility to easily adjust the neck angle is a great advantage for Leedy’s, I wonder why so few banjo makers didn’t install that kind of system, except Framus and Weymann.
Noah:
I agree that the crown height of the head seems to be an issue.
What kind of head is that?
JB
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
What kind of head is that?
JB
From the OP:
"The current one is a nice old Rogers"
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooksquote:
Originally posted by jbalch
What kind of head is that?
JBFrom the OP:
"The current one is a nice old Rogers"
I was going to suggest that a (freshly-mounted) hide head could probably be re-hydrated and forcibly stretched.
But would be hesitant to recommend that for a vintage Rogers head.
JB
I ordered a new high-crown head. We'll see what happens.
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