Go play a goodtime before buying one. I've only played one, but ... well, not to rag on Deering - because I just got a used "little wonder" off ebay, and it is scooped, and a solid banjo ... yeah, do it yourself! But, for comping tone ... you don't need it scooped. Maybe it helps a bit for clucking, and I really like Bob Carlin and Ken Pearlman, but the best tone and rhythm is back towards the head a little from the joint between the neck and hoop. Plus, if you use your thumb to thump, you need to be back on the head. But, find one scooped, and mess with it if that is what you think you need. Or, take the neck off and scoop it yourself. If you do play there, the scoop helps with how your right thumb hits the G or high string (depending on how you are tuned).
My mates a luthier and I got him to put a scoop in for me when he renovated my old savannah, although theres only a couple of songs I play on it to be honest. Nice to have, but hasnt changed the way I play really.
I bought a scooped Deering Americana to get serious on th banjo. I like it. Also, like the “... raucous rhythm” thought. That is where I am playing now, I think.
Hey I only just now found you on TH-cam I've been following you on Instagram for some time. I was just going to say it amuses me so that where you're sitting I could almost swear you were right in my woodshop considering I got painted wood walls and it looks just like that! I've been working on a few different projects and this evening I'm going back to my woodworking roots with the urge to build an Appalachian Mountain banjo oh, that's how I got started in woodworking over a decade ago and now it's calling to me again.
I'm just getting started playing clawhammer & have wondered a lot about this. I just couldn't see giving those frets away even if I never used them. Thanks for the videos & the music Clifton! You've helped feed my new claw obsession.
I scooped the neck of my inexpensive Savannah SB-070 banjo. Mostly because I had time to kill, thanks to the pandemic. Not a big deal, even with my primitive hand tools. I started by using a backsaw to cut adjacent to several frets until they fell out. Then I chiseled away the rest of the fingerboard. The only surprise (which it shouldn’t have been!) was that I revealed the truss rod in its groove. So I covered that with a small piece of walnut veneer, then stained and finished it to match the rest of the neck.
I made a 4 string fretless tintop banjo and put a scoop neck on it also use a capo so I can play with someone that is tuned to a sawmill tuning works for Me !
Hi Clifton - do you make and sell banjos too? I would like to get a basic fretless nylon simplistic banjo. How could I get one of those that looks like yours?
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
Go play a goodtime before buying one. I've only played one, but ... well, not to rag on Deering - because I just got a used "little wonder" off ebay, and it is scooped, and a solid banjo ... yeah, do it yourself! But, for comping tone ... you don't need it scooped. Maybe it helps a bit for clucking, and I really like Bob Carlin and Ken Pearlman, but the best tone and rhythm is back towards the head a little from the joint between the neck and hoop. Plus, if you use your thumb to thump, you need to be back on the head. But, find one scooped, and mess with it if that is what you think you need. Or, take the neck off and scoop it yourself. If you do play there, the scoop helps with how your right thumb hits the G or high string (depending on how you are tuned).
My mates a luthier and I got him to put a scoop in for me when he renovated my old savannah, although theres only a couple of songs I play on it to be honest. Nice to have, but hasnt changed the way I play really.
God damn that things sounds good!
I bought a scooped Deering Americana to get serious on th banjo. I like it.
Also, like the “... raucous rhythm” thought. That is where I am playing now, I think.
Your answers are always so practical and common sense.
Hey I only just now found you on TH-cam I've been following you on Instagram for some time. I was just going to say it amuses me so that where you're sitting I could almost swear you were right in my woodshop considering I got painted wood walls and it looks just like that!
I've been working on a few different projects and this evening I'm going back to my woodworking roots with the urge to build an Appalachian Mountain banjo oh, that's how I got started in woodworking over a decade ago and now it's calling to me again.
Really like this Banjo! The thicker neck is great! Sounds fantastic! Maybe someday you can make a video showing in detail how you make one like this!
I'm just getting started playing clawhammer & have wondered a lot about this. I just couldn't see giving those frets away even if I never used them. Thanks for the videos & the music Clifton! You've helped feed my new claw obsession.
I scooped the neck of my inexpensive Savannah SB-070 banjo. Mostly because I had time to kill, thanks to the pandemic. Not a big deal, even with my primitive hand tools. I started by using a backsaw to cut adjacent to several frets until they fell out. Then I chiseled away the rest of the fingerboard. The only surprise (which it shouldn’t have been!) was that I revealed the truss rod in its groove. So I covered that with a small piece of walnut veneer, then stained and finished it to match the rest of the neck.
I made a 4 string fretless tintop banjo and put a scoop neck on it also use a capo so I can play with someone that is tuned to a sawmill tuning works for Me !
Do any of your banjos have steel strings? Do you play with your real nail? Your rhythm is fantastic!
Hi Clifton - do you make and sell banjos too? I would like to get a basic fretless nylon simplistic banjo. How could I get one of those that looks like yours?
That melody... am I sensing a video on Frankie in the not so distant future? ;)
It has been requested.
You may not do it ( play over the scoop0 but lord does it sound good when you do !!!!!
Was just thinking the same thing
and now its time to shave up my neck
I try to shave my neck at least once a month... 😅
Tell him to stay away from the good time