The Banjo Scoop: What it Does and How to Use It

[@jameskopf6467]

Thank you... it's helped a lot!

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Glad to hear that!

[@Swelkie]

This is the best, most erudite and constantly sensible banjo tutorial I have ever heard. Thanks so much.

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Hahah! Thanks so much!

[@HurtMachineCyclery]

Scoop happens. Thanks, Tom! This is a great explanation for playing over the scoop. Guilty . . . never accused of playing too quietly.

[@petrovichluzhin]

Great video! I almost always play over the scoop other than occasionally when I need to cut through numerous mandolins playing melody.

[@BruceThomson]

Excellent, useful vid, thanks. I was curious what a scoop was, after seeing a question in a Facebook clawhammer banjo group, so searched and found you. I posted a link to this vid. in there.

[@davestambaugh7282]

What a concept! A wooden control rod. You could even make it square for the stubborn ones. All neck dowel banjos are mechanically instable.

[@harvdog5669]

Thankyou sir, this is why i decided to buy the recording king 0T26 Old tyme open back banjo 🪕. I will have the option to use or not use the scoop on different songs and different speeds.. Make more videos.. Can i apply nylon or nygut strings to a banjo that has steel, in this case the RK OT26 ??

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Nice choice! You can use nylon strings on a steel strung instrument, but watch for string gauges. The Aquila Red 11b set is what a lot of folks use to avoid having to make nut/bridge slots wider. Buy two sets (at least) because they are known to sometimes break on install!

[@rickfranklin1471]

Great stuff.

[@ArtLifeThings]

Nice! Very timely for me, stumbling onto this recent vid. I bought a scooped Recording King banjo a couple of weeks ago and I've been experimenting with playing over it on more melody based songs. I was wondering how I might become more comfortable with playing that way. I've not been afraid of it, but my playing has been kinda wonky as it feels really mushy compared to playing over the head. I'm very much a novice player, though.

[@librandy77]

Thanks…..🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕

[@Brotherhickman]

Just curious what model banjo is that. It’s beautiful.

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

That's my Ome Omega, Glenn. Thanks for the comment!

[@billyaitken7461]

🪕😧👍, my wife often tells me I’m playing louder than I imagine 🤣👍‼️

[@GabrielLewis]

Great video! I was just wondering do you need a scoop to play over the neck? My banjo doesn't have a scoop but can I still play over the neck?

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Thanks, Lewis! You don't need a scoop to play over the neck. It does make it easier on most banjos though. It's totally not necessary, but a nice innovation that I insist on with all of my banjos.

[@marinevet7273]

Hi Tom, Is there a standard or popular nut width and scale length for open back banjos, what do you like?

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Hey Marine Vet: I used to be pretty particular about this, but now I'll play anything and get used to it over time. That said, I really like Ome's measurements a lot: 25.5" for scale length, and 1.34" for nut width. Thanks for watching, and thank you for your service. Tom

[@willmarona4188]

Probably missed this in previous videos, however.... you have a string below the bridge on the strings, what’s the function of this. Ive just restrung from nylgut strings to wire strings and am still getting used to the new voice.. thanks

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Hey Will...sometimes I weave a bit of leather between strings to cut down on unwanted overtones. It very slightly calms the strings down, which yields a purer tone.

[@willmarona4188]

Tom Collins Thank You! I tried it and noticed it does help with the “over ringing” the voice of the banjo is much nicer to my ear. Thank you for being out there for all of us!

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

Hey scoop fans, what's your opinion on sidepipes?

[@ZALATHU]

What model banjo are you using? Also can you suggest a good banjo that is not too expensive for old time with a scoop? Not a bottom end banjo but not a $2500.00 either

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

I have an Ome Tupelo and an Ome Omega that I use for most of my videos. They are both scooped. A great banjo for the money is the Enoch Tradesman. Superb quality for an amazing price. They're around $850 used to $1350 new (USD). Good luck!

[@King-Zeekhiel]

If you don’t have a scoop in your banjo, can you put a scoop in it yourself?

[@jimsatterfield8748]

yes, on some banjos.

[@bobu5213]

Why do you need a scoop to play there? I can do that fine with that part of my banjo fully fretted

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

I think it really depends on your setup. If you're running high action, it probably doesn't matter much. I love scoop on my instruments as it feels more comfortable up there, and I can dig deep to get that mellow tone!

[@deanwatt]

You know when the scoop first came into existence?

[@wardbreeden6573]

Dean Watt probably less than 40 years and it’s been a fad only recently. I’m sure it was invented when everybody started to want to play like Kyle Creed with that new “old time” banjo tradition

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

There are plenty of 1800's banjos with interesting scoop-like shapes and gaps in the neck. People have been frailing/clawhammering over the neck since the banjo materialized in the Americas. The modern scoop is an echo of past designs while being a solution to contemporary player's desire for lower action which can make it hard to play in that sweet spot. In my mind it's not a "fad", but an innovation that's here to stay. Thanks for commenting! Tom

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

Why can't you just play over the frets?

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

You can! I find that the extra height the scoop gives over the fretboard allows me to dig in more though.

[@jimhuskins8506]

What you call “scoop” I call “neck mutilation.”

[@TomCollinsBanjo]

Hahahahaa! I got a chuckle out of this. Yeah, they're not for everyone and that's just fine. Cheers! Tom