Is it possible to convert a 17 fret banjo to a 19 fret banjo by just changing the neck. How would one go about doing this, does the pot and head need to be bigger. just an idea that came into my head, it would be a nice upgrade to my short scale...
If the head is one of the standard sizes then I can't see why it wouldn't be possible. You've just got to get hold of a 19 fret neck. I bought an old one on eBay about 3 years ago to replace the somewhat warped neck that's on a no-name banjo. It was not expensive but you don't see them come up so often now and they've gone up in price. I haven't tried to fit it yet. Need to let it gather some more dust. The radius of the end that abuts on to the hoop needs to be right.
"If the head is one of the standard sizes then I can't see why it wouldn't be possible."
Why would that make any difference? I went in the other direction (5 string neck to 17 fret tenor neck), and twas no problem. The bridge may not end up in exactly the same position. The proper order of decisions is: determine where you want the bridge, then how long you want the scale (distance from nut to bridge). The number of frets you end up with is a function of those two choices, assuming you don't have a fretboard extension over the head.
I would have thought that the number of frets you end up with was determined by how many frets there are on the neck. My procedure was:
1. remove the 5 string neck
2. attach the 17 fret neck.
3. roughly position the bridge by making it the same distance from the 12th fret as the the 12th fret is from the nut.
4. fine tune the bridge angle.
If you're prepared to make a neck (or doing fairly major modifications to a second hand one) then it is perfectly possible.
Finding a ready made neck that will just bolt on would probably be a lot more problematic. The fit between heel and hoop is critical, so you've got to find a neck from an instrument with the same size body, and there are numerous different coordinator rod arrangements, so you would probably need to find a neck from the same manufacturer as the original.
Will queries why it would make a difference if it isn't a standard size head. Well it obviously won't if you're making one to fit. I was merely thinking about getting hold of an old one, in which case it needs to fit, which would difficult if the banjo was an unusual head size. Lots of 19 fret necks were taken off for 5-string conversions. Here's a nice one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-PRE-WAR-GIBSON-Banjo-Neck-/290611836346?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a9d0b5ba
(hey, I shouldn't be publicising that - I might bid for it myself!)
It is very possible to change necks on a banjo, after all a banjo is only an assemblage of parts. The critical issue is the fit of the neck to the rim and , in the case of a doweled banjo, the length of the dowel.
If you are trying to change an 11" rimmed banjo, necks are very available. You can get a stage 4 tenor neck from www.fqms.com (you have to request it) and have them fit the neck to the rim - they have all the tools to do so and they do it for a reasonable price. Or you can get a neck from a variety of sources such as Gold Tone. The Gibson style necks go on with co-ordinator rods which are easy to fit and a lot cheaper to use.
Dowel fitted necks are a different animal requiring a fair amount of woodworking skill. If you have no experience setting up a dowel fitted banjo, it is best left to experts. Different rim sizes do make a difference, but (again) a good woodworker can use jigs and various tools to get around the issues.
This is not the best forum for your questions. http://www.banjohangout.org (go to the repair and building thread) is by far the best way to get your question answered.
banjo neck
banjo neck
Is it possible to convert a 17 fret banjo to a 19 fret banjo by just changing the neck. How would one go about doing this, does the pot and head need to be bigger. just an idea that came into my head, it would be a nice upgrade to my short scale...
# Posted on September 24th 2011 by bjd
Re: banjo neck
If the head is one of the standard sizes then I can't see why it wouldn't be possible. You've just got to get hold of a 19 fret neck. I bought an old one on eBay about 3 years ago to replace the somewhat warped neck that's on a no-name banjo. It was not expensive but you don't see them come up so often now and they've gone up in price. I haven't tried to fit it yet. Need to let it gather some more dust. The radius of the end that abuts on to the hoop needs to be right.
# Posted on September 24th 2011 by RichardB
Re: banjo neck
"If the head is one of the standard sizes then I can't see why it wouldn't be possible."
Why would that make any difference? I went in the other direction (5 string neck to 17 fret tenor neck), and twas no problem. The bridge may not end up in exactly the same position. The proper order of decisions is: determine where you want the bridge, then how long you want the scale (distance from nut to bridge). The number of frets you end up with is a function of those two choices, assuming you don't have a fretboard extension over the head.
# Posted on September 26th 2011 by will morgan
Re: banjo neck
I would have thought that the number of frets you end up with was determined by how many frets there are on the neck. My procedure was:
1. remove the 5 string neck
2. attach the 17 fret neck.
3. roughly position the bridge by making it the same distance from the 12th fret as the the 12th fret is from the nut.
4. fine tune the bridge angle.
# Posted on September 26th 2011 by fabphil39
Re: banjo neck
FabPhil: I'm assuming you are building the neck, not fitting a pre-made one. For the latter, what you say is correct.
# Posted on September 26th 2011 by will morgan
Re: banjo neck
If you're prepared to make a neck (or doing fairly major modifications to a second hand one) then it is perfectly possible.
Finding a ready made neck that will just bolt on would probably be a lot more problematic. The fit between heel and hoop is critical, so you've got to find a neck from an instrument with the same size body, and there are numerous different coordinator rod arrangements, so you would probably need to find a neck from the same manufacturer as the original.
# Posted on September 26th 2011 by skreech
Re: banjo neck
Will queries why it would make a difference if it isn't a standard size head. Well it obviously won't if you're making one to fit. I was merely thinking about getting hold of an old one, in which case it needs to fit, which would difficult if the banjo was an unusual head size. Lots of 19 fret necks were taken off for 5-string conversions. Here's a nice one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-PRE-WAR-GIBSON-Banjo-Neck-/290611836346?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a9d0b5ba
(hey, I shouldn't be publicising that - I might bid for it myself!)
# Posted on September 26th 2011 by RichardB
Re: banjo neck
It is very possible to change necks on a banjo, after all a banjo is only an assemblage of parts. The critical issue is the fit of the neck to the rim and , in the case of a doweled banjo, the length of the dowel.
If you are trying to change an 11" rimmed banjo, necks are very available. You can get a stage 4 tenor neck from www.fqms.com (you have to request it) and have them fit the neck to the rim - they have all the tools to do so and they do it for a reasonable price. Or you can get a neck from a variety of sources such as Gold Tone. The Gibson style necks go on with co-ordinator rods which are easy to fit and a lot cheaper to use.
Dowel fitted necks are a different animal requiring a fair amount of woodworking skill. If you have no experience setting up a dowel fitted banjo, it is best left to experts. Different rim sizes do make a difference, but (again) a good woodworker can use jigs and various tools to get around the issues.
This is not the best forum for your questions. http://www.banjohangout.org (go to the repair and building thread) is by far the best way to get your question answered.
Mike Keyes
# Posted on September 26th 2011 by mikeyes
Re: banjo neck
thanks for all your help guys.......
# Posted on September 26th 2011 by bjd