How I convert a tenor or plectrum banjo to a five string without replacing the neck.

[@adamdean2923]

That is really cool! Those are some very good ideas that respect the original designs while allowing you to play the kind of music you want to play.

[@bradsmeltzer2569]

So glad I found your video before I attempted to modify my Fairbanks Vega Little Wonder. I hated the idea of messing up the original neck. Thanks!

[@thebanjoman49]

You’re Welcome! It’s a shame to sacrifice a perfectly good neck. Good luck with it!

[@davidjerezgomez]

This is great! I wonder if you have considered offering a kit with the bracket for the 5th tuner for sale. It will facilitate the process, specially for those without the tools to make them. Thank you!

[@OldBanjer]

Really great work! That bracket is slick!

[@thebanjoman49]

Thanks! It works well and doesn’t alter the banjo.

[@nathanstinnette7302]

Brilliant idea, I'm going to try this with one of my tenor banjos

[@thebanjoman49]

That’s great! I hope it works out for you.

[@hurryman]

Thank you! You made my day sir! I’m going to convert one of my tenor banjos now.

[@thebanjoman49]

Good Luck with it! Let me know how it works out.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

thebanjoman49 That is quite an innovative idea. I wonder why they never thought of doing that?

[@roberthutchins3435]

Fantastic Idea👍Thank You.

[@thebanjoman49]

Most welcome 😊

[@jcx5659]

Very cool idea. Plus I like there is no 5th string tuner in the way on the neck.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Instead the 5th string tuner is inside the body

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:09 That is a Banjeaurine aka Mini Banjo

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

1:30 Actually it's the 5th fret, not the 4th.

[@jayjacobs3420]

Brilliant!

[@InstruMentalCase]

Really incredible

[@thebanjoman49]

Thanks! I hope the information will be used to save vintage banjos.

[@mikayladooter5905]

Awesome

[@thebanjoman49]

Thank you, Mikayla!

[@thebanjoman49]

Thank you, Mikayla!

[@TylerJackson10er]

Very cool!

[@12DGJB21]

Hello, I have a very old 4-string plectrum banjo with a 90776 number on the inside of the hoop. My research seems to show that the hoop is a Vega from 1927. The back of the neck near the tail stock looks to be engraved by hand. The fretboard is custom engraved. The head of the neck has a raised butterfly glued to it. Would you be willing to possibly help me identify this banjo?

[@12DGJB21]

I can send you some pictures if you are interested in seeing it.

[@thebanjoman49]

Yes, Send some photos to my email: [e-mail].

[@thebanjoman49]

Is there a stamping on the dowel stick? If it’s a Vega it should be marked there. If not it may be a custom neck added to a pot assembly.

[@raymefah50]

Bruce, many thanks for this interesting video. I've been wondering if I can change a 7 string banjo to a 5 string one. My initial thought is to change the nut to accept 4 head strings, (obviously leaving 2 head tuners empty) - the 5th (7th) string is already in place and the bridge to accept the 5 strings, - would that work? Do you have any advice please.

[@thebanjoman49]

I don’t know. I’d have to see it. I have no experience with a seven string banjo. Sorry.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

7 string banjos have more versatility & their bodies are a little larger

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Hi. Is that Weymann for sale per chance?

[@thebanjoman49]

Hi Robert, Not at this time but maybe in the future. Still enjoying checking it out. Thanks.

[@ToolsAreToys]

Really inspiring, thanks for posting this! Questions, do you need to recut the nut and add a new tailpiece to make space for the extra string? Also, isn’t the action really low on the 5th if you are just using the fret as the pip?

[@thebanjoman49]

Thank you for your comment. To answer your question: you don’t need to cut the nut because nothing changes with the original four strings. The tail piece has to be be dealt with on a case by case basis. What is shown in the video are two very different scenarios; an open back and a resonator banjo. It may require some invention to make it work. It really depends on the width of the neck how the string spacing works out. The added fifth string will be much closer to the fourth string than a regular five string neck. The fret height is adequate without a pip. I even cut a tiny notch in the back of the fret to move the string over toward the binding on the Weymann. The fifth string is a drone do it is seldom fretted. By the time it reaches the bridge the spacing is normal an I have no problem playing it like and other five string. Hope this helps.

[@murraysmusic5121]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. By “loop and string”, did you mean that you’d be using by nylon/nylgut/gut strings rather than steel? I’d like to see that someday!

[@thebanjoman49]

I have found the loop on a regular string is much larger and the windings much longer than desired for this application. I cut off the factory loop and then I create a new, smaller loop by wrapping the string around an 1/8” diameter piece of rod clamped in a vise. Because the fifth string is much shorter you have plenty of string to play with. The string is wrapped around and then whipped three or four times very close to the rod to create a small loop. If you use a regular string the wrapped portion will go over the fret which may affect the tone of the string. It’s best to keep it behind the fifth fret.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@thebanjoman49 I prefer using a ball end string these days because I have a special hole that's tapered.

[@coltknight3945]

I don't think making a new neck for an old banjo is destroying it. You could remount the old neck as long as it has not been discarded.

[@thebanjoman49]

Yes. I’ve done that too and it is a common practice. This is an alternative method to keep the integrity of the original instrument.

[@Patriotic_Eagle1995]

"Homer! You ruined a perfectly good jacket!" "Correction- I ruined *two* perfectly good jackets." This is a hilariously terrible idea 😂