How to Adjust a Banjo Neck Alignment Rod : Banjo Basics

[@jimhuskins8506]

I am a banjo builder who started in 1973. I maintain that coordinator rods should never be used to adjust action. Said adjustment is accomplished by warping the rim. Rims should never be intentionally warped. At the least, tone and volume will suffer. In extreme cases, rims delaminate. If action cannot be corrected by truss rod adjustment, changing bridge height, and/or nut work, the neck should be removed and refit. Muscling coordinator rods also tends to strip lag bolts out of neck heels.

[@1968Olympica]

I read your reply twice and came to the conclusion that you only speak banjo-ese. The teacher in this video speaks beginner-ese, yaaay!

[@jimhuskins8506]

You are wrong. The teacher in this video speaks destruction. It’s your banjo. Go ahead!

[@erickleefeld4883]

I saw one repair video where a guy removed the neck and shimmed it like a bolt-on guitar in order to change the angle. A banjo neck attaches differently, of course, so he used double-sided tape to put the thin wooden shim above where the bolt goes in from the body. Thus, the neck tilted back and lowered the action.

[@tonylewis1803]

The other interesting thing that repair techs ( both guitars and banjo) seam to explain technically wrong is that they’re “lowering the strings” when technically they’re pivoting the neck up and closer to them. I’m new to banjo set ups and have read that, yes, compensation rods should be handled with care and one should be wary of warping or “ovoiding” the pot and that only very minimal adjustment can be applied to neck angle. So a coordinator rod actually it is a “stabilizing” and possibly a “resonating” rod which really stabilizes and helps carry resonating from the lower end of the neck? Does this sound more like the purpose of the rod? And further, if a significant amount of neck angle is required to lower the action, would not that require work to the neck itself, much like a guitar neck reset? Your reply would be much appreciated…

[@guithawk-ij8is]

Thank you so much for your very instructive video! I've been playing guitar over 45 years and have adjusted the action and intonation on many 2:24 acoustics and electrics, but I was recently gifted a banjo and didn't have a clue. It was unplayable at almost an inch at the 12th fret. I'm familiar with truss rods, but I had no idea about the other rod. I was able to get the action to 1/8 of an inch and it is so much better!

[@jerrymiller7735]

That was so cool... ! I have just bought a vintage tel star 4 string banjo. This is a gem... There's been a lot of work on it, it plays & sounds great. I have always been a guitar man, But this banjo has got me hooked. God bless you, And thank you rev. jerry miller

[@HomeGuitarMods]

Thank you for this! Helped me set up the old Kay Banjo I just picked up!

[@juliotirado2793]

that was really help full in a beginer on bajo guitar,i been playing others since i was a kid ,i always want a Banjo ,and finally gat me a Savannah 5strings

[@1968Olympica]

Concise and great video, thanx! :)

[@bobbyrio2628]

Very helpful video......thanks Peter!

[@annl5065]

FANTASTIC VIDEO THANK YOU!!

[@pattyluss]

This helped me so much, thank you!

[@DrsSputnik]

Useful video, thank you sir!

[@KenSwiatek]

When you adjust the nuts, should you loosen the strings on the banjo first? Thanks!

[@annl5065]

GREAT TIP!!! IMPORTANT!!!! THANK YOU!!

[@wildbanjoman99]

i bought a $160 banjo off amazon and it plays good for a first time banjo but my fourth string first fret buzzes when i fret it, no where else on the whole neck, should i try doing this to get it to quit?

[@chedgomojo]

Hi, How do you adjust Banjo Neck Alignment Rod on the type that does not have a nut on the outside? Regards John

[@SONGSTICKS]

Hi,I have a 6 string banjo guitar with two rods which needs the action lowering. Can I adjust as per your video and ignore the lower rod or do I have to adjust that in some way?Many ThanksGary

[@klanghold1]

You don't have to losen the little screw (close to the skin) a bit?

[@silentgd]

do you then retighten the inner nut before putting the resonator back on?

[@robinhood480]

Are you serious or just pointing out an error in the video?

[@Genetherapy3232]

Thank you

[@lizzieorlowski3152]

My banjo has a giant nut on the coordinator rod and no holes in it. What do I do?

[@lord_beethoven1169]

I have a tenor banjo and the rod is nothing but the neck all the way through the body. Not a lot of options for adjustment.

[@Celticman197]

What does the other rod do?

[@unibokk]

Straightens the neck itself if the neck is bowed.

[@hafzamacie8858]

I'm really sure you can build it yourself. I did this 2 weeks ago thanks to the Woodglut plans.

[@shannanschisler8485]

I made it with Woodglut plans!