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5strings3picks1banjo - Posted - 03/17/2017: 07:18:04
Experimenting for a friend with a bad back and came up with this. The Fijian top is sized to the specs of a bluegrass tonering with a one piece flange the thinned the lower part of the rim to 1/2 inch with a 5/8th endcap. Result is a full rounded tone with ring to the end of the fretboard.
I have upgraded and made many banjos on the cheap for people but they always lack a full sound. Always louder but dead highs above 5th-7th fret. This reversible lightweight mod is under $300. All I do is match your rim / neck / flange and its done.
I have also made and setup many high end banjos so I know what makes a good banjo ( normally lots of money haha ) and this is right up there. If your in Melbourne Australia come and visit and tell me what your thoughts are. Message me any time.
bbanjoboy - Posted - 03/17/2017: 07:36:53
I'm not trying to sound like a salesman, but our bison leather straps are a HUGE help for people with back and shoulder problems.. As a long time professional player I can swear by them.. A lightweight banjo is also a plus! When I used to play the theaters in Pigeon Forge TN, I used one of our 3" bison straps on an old RB-100 with no tone ring.. I felt like I was a harmonica player at the end of the day!!!!
okie143 - Posted - 03/17/2017: 08:22:17
quote:
Originally posted by bbanjoboy
I'm not trying to sound like a salesman, but our bison leather straps are a HUGE help for people with back and shoulder problems.. As a long time professional player I can swear by them.. A lightweight banjo is also a plus! When I used to play the theaters in Pigeon Forge TN, I used one of our 3" bison straps on an old RB-100 with no tone ring.. I felt like I was a harmonica player at the end of the day!!!!
I have too agree as I have a bad back, knees, wrists, and etc. I bought a couple Lakota cradle straps, 2" and 3", that were seconds, and they really hold the banjo secure and really helps my back. They let the banjo use shoulder muscles to control the weight and spread it out over the upper body. It is not center on one area.
OldPappy - Posted - 03/17/2017: 11:14:54
I don't play standing up, so don't use a strap, but I have seen, and tried, a couple of those Lakota straps and was impressed by the quality, and the comfort.
Before I started building banjos I made custom, old west style, horse gear. My work was always in high demand at the three local tack stores I sold to, so I do know something about leather work.
As to a bad back, and shoulders, both are something I endure. The banjos I build are not as heavy as a typical bluegrass banjo, but do have some weight due to the tone ring and construction I use. For my personal use, I have found a shorter scale helps a lot with the shoulder issues I have (Bad rotator cuff on the left, arthritis with both).
Edited by - OldPappy on 03/17/2017 11:15:28
mike gregory - Posted - 03/17/2017: 18:53:28
Sure beats tying on a plethora of helium balloons to take some of the weight!
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bbanjoboy - Posted - 03/17/2017: 19:46:14
Dang, I think my ole Buddy Greg Rich has found his long lost brother~!!
