Hey guys - I’ve been a guitarist and recently have really taken to the banjo. I have a new banjo from a builder in NC with a dowel stick.
Two main questions:
1. Should the dowel stick be perfectly straight with the next of is it fine to deviate to the treble side by a few degrees?
2. This would necessitate the hole in the post for the tail piece screw being off to one side by an eighth or so?
I’m guessing this is just part of the idiosyncrasies of a hand made instrument - but I don’t know what I don’t know.
Check and see if the dowel lines up with the pathway of the 3rd string. If so this is correct.
quote:
Originally posted by martyjoeCheck and see if the dowel lines up with the pathway of the 3rd string. If so this is correct.
Thanks - I'd say not quite, more like the B string, but the strings seem to track down the fretboard well with the bridge in the center.
Unless it is too far off, you can shift the tail piece slightly off center to get the strings to align.
That photo shows it offline with the center strip to the G side to my eyes. Remember the neck is upside down
More likely it's the hole drilled in the heel of the neck, where the dowel inserts, is not drilled on-center. The neck is therefore off a few degrees from "plumb" with the pot.
If the strings track correctly the length of the neck, don't worry about it.
A dowel or rim stick needs two correct angles to be installed correctly.
I see the stick lines up perfectly between the 12th and 13th shoes AND since you note the string line matches the fingerboard edge…… personally I conclude the builder knew what they were doing. A tapered stick is good cabinetry. :).
“Stick Around.” Good answers always.
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