Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Banjo spike installation

#1

I watched the Banjo spike installation video and ordered the spikes! Looking forward to it.

BUT, I have a question…
It seems logical to me to install the spikes facing away from me so that when I pick downward on the 5th string, the string is pushed INTO the spike instead of potentially OUT OF the spike.

I’m not smarter than the Banjo Ben tech and will install my spikes as the video shows, but this is curious to me.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Mark

#2

Hey Mark, welcome to the forum!

I’ve had a few banjos with spikes installed with their openings facing the floor, and I never had a string pop out of a spike—if they’re installed correctly, they’ll be tight enough to prevent that. A lot of folks prefer them installed that way, as it makes putting the string in a bit easier to do with one hand.

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#3

Hi @mjelam51 Mark. Like @Michael_Mark said my Twanger and Stelling have their spike openings facing the floor. Never had any issues with them

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#4

Hey @Archie, which banjo do you play more, the Stelling or the Twanger?

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#5

The Twanger mostly nowadays. When I first got my Stelling I played it every day and wore out the frets. As was the case with my Fender FB58 I put stainless steel frets on my Fender and used to use it for all my heavy practice until I got the Twanger. Since I got the Stelling re-freted I bring it out every once in a while just to keep it in tune. I rarely play the Fender which I keep tuned in Drop C. It’s also fitted with D tuners so again when the mood takes me. banjo

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#6

My first post. Thanks for the helpful, friendly replies! Lovin’ this forum!

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#7

Hi @mjelam51 Mark be sure to share this info with your friends. The more people that come here the more we can help. Also it keeps @BanjoBen gainfully employed and his wife and kids from going hungry and this will motivate him to produce more lessons and we in turn all benefit.

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