A relative of mine is gifting me an all-original Gibson TB-11 and I can't decide what type of neck to have made for it. I love the thought of a maple Style 7 with the block inlays and a flat fingerboard. (Full disclosure: I currently own a TB11 conversion with a Sloan tone ring and mahogany Neat neck with flying eagle inlays that is an absolute monster!)
My question... in your opinion, what would be the perfect neck for this banjo?
Looking forward to your advice!
-Josh
I see from your profile that you're a history teacher.....so I assume you appreciate history.
Have a historically correct "RB 11" conversion neck built for it, and also leave it as a tone-hoop banjo, don't cut it for a tone ring.
You already have one Style 11 with your choice of neck, and cut for a tone ring......make this next one look like an RB 11
Just my opinion.....
Exactly. Choosing to retain the ability to restore the original TB-11 makes sense.
It seems that you play also Mandolin: why don’t you leave it with the original neck and play il as a tenor?
If you want a Style 7 neck, do it.
quote:
Originally posted by RioStatI see from your profile that you're a history teacher.....so I assume you appreciate history.
Have a historically correct "RB 11" conversion neck built for it, and also leave it as a tone-hoop banjo, don't cut it for a tone ring.
You already have one Style 11 with your choice of neck, and cut for a tone ring......make this next one look like an RB 11
Just my opinion.....
RioStat... yes sir, I LOVE history, so an RB-11 neck sounds appeasing. I like the idea that it's light-weight and I've seen Ritchie Dotson's style 11 necks which look outstanding. I really appreciate your opinion!
quote:
Originally posted by banjopaoloIt seems that you play also Mandolin: why don’t you leave it with the original neck and play il as a tenor?
This has also crossed my mind. The banjo was my great uncles and I hate to manipulate it. However, I'm also afraid that if I leave it as a tenor, I'll never play it.
I sure appreciate your input!
I bought a wreck of a tenor (unplayable Kk/style 11 tenor neck on a new Sullivan pot) on Craigslist years ago go to convert to bluegrass.
In the end I put a tenor neck on it and I’m having a blast as I pick up Irish traditional music. I play it every day, way more than my 5 string. I come from fiddle/mandolin background, too.
There’s a big ITM community around here, and that also makes a big difference.
Works fine for bluegrass/fiddle tunes too. But, “that’s not the way Earl/Bill did it”…
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