Hi, is it possible/practical to have a short neck made for traveling with a banjo? I would like a C scale banjo w/ larger pot for traveling. Have thought about a Nechville to use as openback or reso. Can I also have more than 1 neck for it?
Pls be gentle if its a dumb question, I am in the early learning curve of traveling with a banjo. :)
Thanks!
M
Banjos have always been know kind of as the "hot-rod" of stringed instruments because of how easily so many of its parts can be changed, including the neck. That being said, yes you can have necks of different scales, but disassembly and re-assumably may be more involved than is practical and not quickly completed.
Even if you were to developed a quick change neck attachment, you would still have to remove the strings, at least partially.
Unless I am mistaken, a banjeurine [sic] is essentially a C scale banjo with a "standard" size pot. There's an historic precedence for that.
I think it's practical to have multiple necks for the same pot. I've thought about having a fretless neck made for a pot I have my 5+1 neck on. I tend to be all-in on one type of playing for a while, and just having another neck would make a spell of fretless playing more cost effective and space saving that having a whole other banjo.
I have two necks for my Nechville: a 5-string and a 4-string plectrum.
To me, it isn't a viable travel option. You would need two cases (one short, one standard). I would get a dedicated travel banjo...like a Tranjo. Silent option would be excellent.
I used to carry a tenor-banjo on biztrips. Easy fit in overhead compartments. A banjeaurine/C-scale is a good size too.
A travel banjo requires compromises. My recommendation is to get one of the small banjos with an 8" pot, like a Gold Tone BG-mini or something if similar form factor. You won't get the same tone as an 11" rim but you will get a banjo that scratches the itch while you're on the road.
No travel banjo is going to meet all your needs of playability, tone, and size. You're going to need to make sacrifices.
Thanks for all the ideas! I am used to disassembling a CF guitar for travel so I thought about a Nechville because I can disassemble it and stick it in my suitcase. I think a banjearine or pony bjo would work but I am trying not to buy tooooo many extra instruments.
I mostly play clawhammer and am not sure if a tiny pot would work well for me? I’ll try one on my next trip if I can (not much to be found in my neck of the woods).
Worst case I can play clawhammer guitar for practice :)
Zach Hoyt has been known to craft short scale banjos at a very reasonable price:
hoytbanjos.com/
I built a travel banjo for someone that fit in his carry on bag. 8" pot and 15" scale if I remember right. Essentially it was a pony banjo. It would tune up around high E or F with normal strings. It was quite bright sounding.
It was brought back to me to convert to nylon strings, which could be tuned to regular G pitch and were more calming to listen to. I used low G Tenor uke strings with an extra first for this.
quote:
Originally posted by SoprisThanks for all the ideas! I am used to disassembling a CF guitar for travel so I thought about a Nechville because I can disassemble it and stick it in my suitcase. I think a banjearine or pony bjo would work but I am trying not to buy tooooo many extra instruments.
I mostly play clawhammer and am not sure if a tiny pot would work well for me? I’ll try one on my next trip if I can (not much to be found in my neck of the woods).
Worst case I can play clawhammer guitar for practice :)
Might consider of just a decent banjo case, it's what most folks who travel do, and works well without need for disassembly and assembly issues. If left assembled, not sure great advantage to shorter length, unless want to put in overhead. But even then, depending on overall length of banjo case, but many will fit in overhead; otherwise gate checking instruments is another good option.
For easy disassembly/assembly taking neck off, not sure if pot or neck size would be that big of issue at that point. But guess issue would come down to working out neck joint.
Many electric guitars, and some acoustics have back plate type bolt on necks; (which hypothetically would make easy to take apart for travel, put in suitcase; but still most folks don't do that; just find and use a regular good case).
Bolted thru rim design, I have seen inexpensive banjos without dowel or typical connector rod, just simple bolt... I suppose could work?
Edited by - banjoak on 02/18/2025 18:41:41
Hi y’all! To follow up, I bought a Deering parlor 5 string open back and its just about perfect for my needs.
Flying home with an extra instrument will be interesting ??. Klos guitar can break down, get stuffed with clothes, and fit in the checked bag. I brought an empty parlor guitar bag that the banjo fits in. Hopefully I can put that inside the Klos bag and carry it on. Ha ha.
The adventure never ends!
Cheers,
Michelle
