Tension guidance for Enoch Tradesman

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Enoch Banjo Group

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This is a group for people who play Enoch banjos.

116 Members, Created 1/29/2011 -

Administrators: Booger McGee (owner)

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From lawnboss on 7/17/2023 7:58:48 AM

New user to this group but I've had my Enoch Tradesman for a year and love it!

I enjoy its sound so-so-so-so much better without a capo and am now contemplating tuning up when I play in D/A/Am (which in my regular jam is about 90% of the time... so I might just use a 2nd banjo for the occasional G tune and leave the Tradesman tuned up). I've been exploring with this tool here

http://chordgen.parmakis.co.uk/tensiontool.php?lp

to get an idea of how much various string choices will impact the tension on the banjo. My first experiment was to get lighter strings with custom gauges to make the overall tension when tuned up equal to the original tension values in G/C. But, some of the strings are bit too floppy or thin-sounding for my liking.

My question is: how much can the tension be increased (via heavier strings) without doing harm to the instrument? Could I just take the original "medium" set and tune them up without consequence? I have serial number T1235 (from what I gather, the materials and truss rods vary from generation to generation).

Many thanks in advance!

4 Comments
	Frail-Safe says: 7/17/2023 8:57:51 AM I had much the same question about my Tradesman when I got it it a number of years ago. I emailed Kevin Enoch and asked him about it and got a quick and helpful response. I suggest you get in touch with him. I'm sure he'd be happy to give you his thoughts on this. You can get a lot of good advice on this site, but for something like this it's reassuring to get an answer from the person who built the banjo.
bigleaf says: 7/17/2023 10:07:16 AM I haven’t had quite the same experience with my 12” Tradesman. The sound is really good capoed up, but I hate using a capo. Between the 5th string tuner and the capo, I’m always knocking my thumb. My solution (and this may be more than you want to do) was to have Kevin make me an A scale 11” Tradesman. I use it for both Double D and A, and I love it. I love them both.
	Enochinst says: 7/17/2023 6:13:54 PM I always put medium strings on my Tradesman banjos unless otherwise requested, and tuning them up to A and D is not a problem tension wise. Partly because of the shorter scale, 25.5”. Emails me if you have any other questions. Kevin
lawnboss says: 7/18/2023 7:47:26 AM Thanks! This is extremely helpful. What a great resource!
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