Brilliant Video Jack. Many Thanks. I've had done almost the same. I had Phil Davidson make and set up a Neck in 2006 . He's a Luthier based in in the UK. I'm still very pleased with it. STP.
Jack...nice to see this documented. I also did a vega M conversion...neck by Rickards Banjos.. I'll message you a pic. Im sticking with the goat skin head..Rickards has installed a Renn head as well ..ok but I wanted an earthy warm sound without loosing sustain. Interestingly, Jason Romero suggested a coat of shellac dobbed on the inside of a renn head to reduce any chirpiness(my description) and warm the tone. Ive applied that to a 12" renn head banjo...and like it very much...better tone and no real lack of punch.
Thanks Doug! I might have to try the shellac trick. The Ren head on the 1920 Vega sounds better than I thought it would, but a good skin head is always my preference. El Nino brought a lot of humidity and rain to Colorado this summer, and I had to switch over to plastic heads on most of my banjos. But winter is coming, so skins may go back on soon.
Beautiful job! Do you still have the original neck? If so, I'd be interested in it. I have a Vega little wonder (1927) and your neck would be a great upgrade.
Thanks John! Always interesting to hear individual tonal preferences. I liked the Ren head better for the 3F picking (even better with picks), but lean toward the skin for clawhammer and 2F. Also, the Ren head sounds better to me live that in the recording. But given the unusual hassles I had with skin heads this year, I'm satisfied with the Ren head overall, and as it settles in, I think it will get better too.
Such a great video Jack! I can't wait for Mark to finish my project Tubaphone conversion!!! Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks! Yup, excited to see/hear the Tubaphone in the works!
Mark does great work. I have a walnut short scale he made for me back in 2014. Your neck is a perfect match to the rim.
Yeah, the match is so good, one might think it was original except for a few details that a trained eye would notice.
Brilliant Video Jack. Many Thanks. I've had done almost the same. I had Phil Davidson make and set up a Neck in 2006 . He's a Luthier based in in the UK. I'm still very pleased with it. STP.
Thanks STP. I just had a look at Phil's website. Looks like some really fine work. Having a good luthier is truly goldenl
Beautiful banjo. Great work!
Thanks Rob. This is my go-to banjo these days. Mark really delivered.
Jack...nice to see this documented. I also did a vega M conversion...neck by Rickards Banjos.. I'll message you a pic. Im sticking with the goat skin head..Rickards has installed a Renn head as well ..ok but I wanted an earthy warm sound without loosing sustain. Interestingly, Jason Romero suggested a coat of shellac dobbed on the inside of a renn head to reduce any chirpiness(my description) and warm the tone. Ive applied that to a 12" renn head banjo...and like it very much...better tone and no real lack of punch.
Thanks Doug! I might have to try the shellac trick. The Ren head on the 1920 Vega sounds better than I thought it would, but a good skin head is always my preference. El Nino brought a lot of humidity and rain to Colorado this summer, and I had to switch over to plastic heads on most of my banjos. But winter is coming, so skins may go back on soon.
Beautiful job! Do you still have the original neck? If so, I'd be interested in it. I have a Vega little wonder (1927) and your neck would be a great upgrade.
Thanks Brad. Sorry, I no longer have the tenor neck.
good job ! renaissance head sounds better to me :)
Thanks John! Always interesting to hear individual tonal preferences. I liked the Ren head better for the 3F picking (even better with picks), but lean toward the skin for clawhammer and 2F. Also, the Ren head sounds better to me live that in the recording. But given the unusual hassles I had with skin heads this year, I'm satisfied with the Ren head overall, and as it settles in, I think it will get better too.