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Hunting
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CONVERSION:
Converted from tenor to 5-string by adding walnut molding (wings) to both sides of neck, 1/4" fretless walnut fingerboard on top of existing fingerboard, 1/4 in deep brass-floored frailing scoop just below octave.
This is a short-scale banjo, since it uses the original tenor neck. No maker's marks, "Yellowstone" stamp on dowel and my number #020 stamped on dowel and pot by me. Peghead looks like Stella (?). Someone neatly carved letters ("R.K." ?) in top of peghead.
Rosewood violin pegs, Nylgut strings, Yellowstone banjo head. Peghead was plain and I put in a simple MOP inlay. Grooved, brass brad 5th string nut. Perforated black walnut bridge.
Tone ring is 1/4" brass rod. Tension hoop is 1/4 x 1/2" brass rod.... both made by me.
Tailpiece is a brass replica of a vintage J. E. Dallas tailpiece. Shoes, hooks and nuts all made by me.
DIMENSIONS:
Head dia. = 103/4 in., 20 hooks.
Set up w/scale length 19 in.
String span @ nut=1 1/8 in
String span @ heel = 1 1/2 in.
Bridge = 7/8 in. tall
SETUP:
* action @ scoop = 1/2 in.
* action @ octave = slightly less than 3/16 in.
FLAWS:
Finish was in terrible shape. I stained w/ dark mahogany, finished w/ thinned spar varnish in multiple, wiped-off coats.
Normal scuffing due to age.
ON THE PLUS SIDE:
Good sound, nice playability. With the Nylgut Minstrel strings will handle tuning at least 5 frets below G tuning.
