I have never understood why people think they need a long neck banjo to sing in a lower register.
Pete Seeger - the man who essentially created the instrument was a medium to medium high tenor singer.
Hedy West was a Mezzo Soprano or Alto
Eric Darling was a high tenor.
Pete didn't invent the longneck to sing in lower keys, he invented it to play in MORE keys. Moving the 5th string up to the 8th fret gave him 7 capo positions and a total of 8 positions readily available. Using only 2 tunings (G gDGBD and C bass gCGBD) he was able to quickly play in just about any key any folk performer would need - and in fact between those two tunings I believe he covered just about all the keys. SFAICT he did most of his own singalong leading in C bass - gCGBD tuning capo 3 on a long neck, even sticking with C Bass frequently when singing in G.
This has a lot to do with why in most pictures of people playing longnecks the capo is on the 3rd fret - essentially turning it into a standard length banjo - but with a lot of extra weight in the neck - a whole lot of extra weight in the neck. The original length of the banjo is really quite logical for most people.
For example: I can rarely sing any song in G but I can sing many songs in C, and I can sing many in A, D and E also. Standard length took care of my needs although, most of my E material tended to be raggy blues that I played on guitar. There were a couple folk songs I did in E that I eventually shifted down to D just to save a lot of capo moving time while on stage.
At a party, I once borrowed a banjo from the late Rick Fielding and noticed that he had moved the fifth string peg to the 7th or 8th fret, enabling the banjo to be capoed further up the neck. Tony's post reminded me of this.
I agree with Old Woodchuck. It is fairly easy to play in keys G, C, D, E especially if playing some kind of simple backup to your vocals. From there it is only 1-3 frets to capo to sing in A, Bb, B, F. Do you really want to carry around the extra long unbalanced weight while trying to earn a living busking?
There aren't any cheap long necks for sale here, but there are a few open backs for sale under $200. I'd say that the extra cost of a long neck probably isn't worth it, especially considering money is tight and you're aiming to make some...
Thanks for the replies. I'm carrying a lot of extra weight anyway, so... ;)
Hoping I can raise cash to buy a decent one outright. if any of you have a cheap ob, feel free to message me. I'll keep an eye on the classifieds, too.
I play 2. I play what I build, I think he does, too. Hi ya kids, hi ya, hi ya.
Come on. No charity implied, nor testimony. Think of it as a research project.
If Mike can build a neck, I might have a rim, but I need a hardware kit, I think that would help the budget, then shipping at the end if there would be such a project. You need a case of some kind. A well kept secret is a dreadnought guitar case holds a longneck, so does a dobro case, so does a small scale bass case. I took a longneck overseas in a dobro gig bag.
You already stated the reason for your wanting a longer scale. I also play with 6 spikes @ 7,8,9,10,12,14, so capoing with my friend the mandolin player is fun and possible while adding the 6 additional keys you get with the longneck. The 5th doesn't always need to play the root.
My favorite capo now is Shubb.
You could be eligible for parole in no time. My goal would be a 7 pound instrument.
You don't really need a long neck. Get a regular banjo, string with the following gauges, 12, 13, 22w, 28w, 11 - and tune it lower to E. When you want G, just capo at the third fret.
I actually did tune a banjo 3 frets lower for a while. It came in handy for singing in E and A. I loved the deep growl available especially in Double C (actual pitch Double A) tuning. But as my singing voice went south I shifted the tuning up to the usual 5 string pitch.
As of now I keep my 25.5 inch scale banjo at F and Bb but my shorties - the ones I usually play are at concert pitch. The main reason for pitching the 25.5 at F is to capo two frets higher because of my arthritis. I try to avoid using my ring finger now because of the sharp pains it gives when I do use it.
Thanks for the replies so far, and thanks to those who have emailed me with offers. Not sure I was quite clear. I'm disabled, seemingly unqualified for disability support, and unemployed for near 3 years now. I'm looking for a parts-together long-neck that someone maybe built or restored, or an inexpensive one from the 60s that were the Japanese and European byproducts of the folk music boom. I see them on eBay occasionally, but my money situation and the relative scarcity of long-neck banjos have made it hard to come by one.
Right now, I'd even take a cheap ob standard 5-string or a shorty travel banjo, just to get playing. Let me know what there might be.
I'm in NJ, fyi, and can travel some miles to pick something up.
Guys, you're not reading what I'm writing. I'm disabled and unemployed. I can't afford a $700 banjo or even a $300 banjo. I'm looking for an inexpensive OB, preferably with a long neck. I know Epiphone and other Asian and European brands have been floating around since the late 60s or so. I was just hoping someone here might have a cheap one or one they'd let go cheap.
There's no way I could afford the suggestions some people have made.
I was sort of surprised to see replies suggesting you buy something for several hundred. Which is why I suggested that I could make you a neck. Did no realize at the time that you didn't have a pot to pick on.
Tell ya what:
I'll cobble up a banjo out of a salad bowl, a 2-liter bottle, and a LONG hunk of maple, draw the frets on with permanent marker, and you'll have something to busk with, until something better becomes available.
If you NEED frets, you can glue on bits of windshield wiper, as I did.
Since shipping costs increase with the SIZE of the object, I'll send it with the neck OFF, to make it slightly cheaper for me to ship.
Do you have access to a bottle of wood glue and the ability to turn a screwdriver? (Not being snarky, just am VERY aware that some people have the ability to move fingers on various ways, but NOT in others.)
Busy today, but might have it ready to ship by NEXT Monday, unless otherwise informed that somebody else has a better idea.
I'm not a slick enough videographer to FAKE a video of me sounding good on a bad banjo.
But, while we're on the subject of what you SEE may NOT be what you hear:
The kid on the porch looks to be doing Old Timey, drop thumb FRAILING, with fingernails, but what you HEAR on the sound track, is somebody doing three-finger Scruggs style, with metal picks.
And, truth be told, they found the kid, decided to put him on the swing, BUT, since he doesn't know HOW to play banjo, at all, they got somebody with kid-sized hands, an actual woman, to kneel behind him with her hands down his sleeves.
(Another thing: Burt Reynolds didn't REALLY put an arrow through that guys spine and lungs.)
Anyway, here's the lady's hands down the kid's sleeves:
And here's two guys with their arms down the sleeves of some DOGS!
Hmmm! Seems like I had just a bit too much caffeine earlier. Went to bed, could not sleep. So, what the heck, went down into the dungeon laboratory, and began creating a monster.
Perhaps tomorrow afternoon, I'll cut the salad bowl down to maybe 3 or 2 & 1/2 inches.
As I see it, "Begging" is asking for something, with nothing in exchange.
Since most of the parts of the banjo I'm making are repurposed or recycled ( a Very Fancy way of saying "junk"), there's not must cost involved. I've already sent a private message about that, and IF the terms are unsatisfactory, the banjo won't get sent. The tuners are PING brand, the cheapest I could find.
Also, I'll be posting a video, and if the banjo doesn't sound "good enough" for busking purposes, it won't get sent. (In either MY opinion or HIS.)
It's going to be sent "semi-fretless", with fret positions scored into the neck, but IF Mr. F. Giant wants to add windshield wiper strips ( as in the Squared Eel 2 video), that material is available, for free, pretty much every town in the U.S. of A.
to reiterate repetitiously yet again: From MY viewpoint, he ain't exactly "begging" and I ain't exactly "giving". It's a transaction between two persons, negotiated in terms which each deems reasonable.
I'm more than grateful to accept Mike's offer of help.
Others, friends, please bear in mind that not once have I asked for anything for free.
I have a small, even meager, budget, but it's all the expendable cash to my name for a good long time.
I play electric guitar in my church band, and I have a friend's guitar to play, so I'm selling the cheap one I own to afford an ob banjo.
My situation is this: if I don't have surgeries, I am unquestionably unfit for most work. That makes earning money a creative endeavour rather than a daily drag. If I do have the surgeries, I'll be recuperating for weeks if not months and will still not only have no work but will have forced the people who help now to pay for literally everything for the entire recovery period because I won't be able to earn at all, being bedridden.
Given the choice, and with an irregular heartbeat that makes anesthesia dicey, I'll go busk with my $40 guitar and a cheap banjo rather than risk complications and/or be totally out of the game for who knows how long.
All I ask is that those who think I'm begging please continue to think that way if you wish, but pray/meditate/send good vibes/whatever for my children and wife no matter what you think of me. Thanks.
After meeting three of my many, many sisters for a fine lunch at ATLAS BBQ, I went back downstairs and did a bit more work. It's coming along rather well so far.
But, I od wonder: Will instrument fakers in the future DELIBERATELY make mistakes, so as to try pass off their copies as GENUINE Mike Gregory antiques? "If it ain't got an OOPSIE! it isn't a MIKEY!"
There's got to be a Harmony Res-O-Tone long neck out there somewhere for you. They can often be had in the $150 and under category and, properly set up, will do exactly what you want.
In the late '60s and early '70s, there were some Asian and European copies floating around with simple metal pots and chunky necks that weren't hard to play. These should not run over $100. The trick is to find one.
If you DO find a long-necked Resotone or ANY suitable banjo, let me know, and I'll keep this one to sell at one o my upcoming Art & CraPft Fair events.
Meanwhile, here are some more pictures.
By gum, I might just have it ready to ship by Monday.
Interesting thread. Folk G; I certainly wouldn't define seeking advice and direction "begging" ..if that's the case, then Eric shoukd change the name to the panhandlers hangout, . And Mike, you're a stand up guy for doing this ( save the puns pal, you need your energy to finish the project).
Seems that this is an example of the hangout at it's best. Can't wait for soundbites from both of you.
Some years back, someone posted an unbelievable topic.
IF it was to be believed, this young man had a rather good banjo, better than what MOST of us started out on, but wanted a BETTER one, so he asked if somebody here would GIVE him one.
My favorite reply ( and by Odin, I wish I had posted it) was
"This is the banjo hanGout, not the banjo hanDout!"
At this very moment, a test video of the banjo is being uploaded to Y'allTube.
Dang! It's been about 20 minutes, and the video page says it's 0% uploaded. Wonder how long it's going to TAKE to upload a ten minute (if that!) video.
Gave up and started over on the upload. THIS time, it started reporting an IMMEDIATE percentage. Said at 8:40PM local that there are 80 minutes left before it's all done.
I'm going to leave the computer room, go work on the banjo's finishing touches for a while.
Since long-time friend, good looking redhead, and Hangout member Marcia Cunningham gave me several sets of steel strings for my birthday, I figured I'd put a set on this banjo, and see if it improved the tone, volume, or general Niceness of the sound.
I've been working on a long neck hubby picked up in a thrift shop. I am not happy with it yet, but working on it. I have a thread on the banjo building forum. I just wonder how much shipping would be. I plan to sell it as I find it difficult to play. My arms aren't that long! I think Mike has the best solution for now. Good luck in your endeavor.
Stick with Mikes. His sounds sooooo much better! Also, I find that people are more interested in a home made banjo, than a commercially made one. Gives you a talking point, and having a conversation with those listening to you will be more apt to contribute. It makes you unique.
Got a really, really good price on a Harmony long-neck. Saw a local (within an hour from home) ad on Craig's List and was fortunate enough to get in touch with them first. Needs strings and I need to cobble up a bag because the chipboard case has some musty-dusty stuff in it, but it's an honest-to-goodness 25-fret open-back like my heroes, Pete and Tommy.
Thanks, all, for the kind words expressed and Mike, for your generosity and creativity. Please do me the honor of putting that lovely home-made banjo in the hands of someone in need. :)
Got a really, really good price on a Harmony long-neck. Saw a local (within an hour from home) ad on Craig's List and was fortunate enough to get in touch with them first. Needs strings and I need to cobble up a bag because the chipboard case has some musty-dusty stuff in it, but it's an honest-to-goodness 25-fret open-back like my heroes, Pete and Tommy.
Thanks, all, for the kind words expressed and Mike, for your generosity and creativity. Please do me the honor of putting that lovely home-made banjo in the hands of someone in need. :)
Glad you found EXACTLY what you wanted and needed.
As for cobbling up a bag:
ONE thing worth trying is, IF you can find a rummage sale or thrift shop with a pair of well-padded snowmobile pants, especially if it has hip-to-ankle zippers, that takes MINIMUM scissor and sewing skills to make into a padded banjo bag.
Another option is to find a used, cheap sleeping bag.
Again, it already HAS a huge zipper.
My Banjo Cobbler's Method is to get two rectangular suitcases, fasten them together end-to-end, cut a notch for the neck, and add padding.
Put a ROPE between the handles, so you can pick it up by the balance point.
