{"id":1704,"date":"2020-12-22T06:28:49","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T13:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=1704"},"modified":"2020-12-30T07:23:38","modified_gmt":"2020-12-30T14:23:38","slug":"take-apart-banjo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/take-apart-banjo\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Take Apart Your Banjo And Put It Back Together Correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes a banjo needs to be completely taken apart to clean or repair it. Under most circumstances I highly recommend taking it to a professional luthier (guitar maker) because there are many parts to a banjo and they all need to be put back together at just the right angle, with just the right tension, or in exactly the right place for your banjo to continue to play as you expect it to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Taking apart your banjo takes several steps beginning with removing the strings,<\/strong> <b>bridge, tailpiece and armrest. Next, J-hooks need to be loosened in an alternating pattern and then the tensioning loop and banjo head can be removed. Coordinating rods can then be loosened and the neck from the rim. Finally, the J-hook screws can be removed.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1770\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Neck-Angle-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Banjo looking down the neck from head\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Neck-Angle-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Neck-Angle-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Neck-Angle-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Neck-Angle.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Putting your banjo back together isn\u2019t quite as simple as following these steps in reverse order as there are several other steps to make sure everything is in the right place and properly tensioned and angled.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Banjos are delicate instruments and if you do something wrong you\u2019ll likely be taking it to a luthier anyway and you may be paying for additional repairs as well (like repairing a cracked rim because you over tightened the coordinator rod). However, if you feel confident in your skills and think you\u2019re up to the challenge or you have an old banjo you want to practice taking apart and you\u2019re comfortable with potentially screwing it up, read on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What you will need to take apart your banjo <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: every banjo model is a bit different and all steps may not apply. This blog applies to banjos with a single coordinating rod.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2ft x 2ft towel, mat, or piece of carpet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Container for parts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00TWPV5L2?tag=frdm-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Banjo head T-wrench<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two open end wrenches that fit the hex nuts on the coordinating rod\/rods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screwdriver<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure your T-wrench properly fits the J-hooks holding the tension loop. A T-wrench that is the wrong size will damage the J-hooks leaving them looking gnarly and jagged. Look to the inside of your banjo and select two open ended wrenches that properly fit the nuts on the coordinator rod (or rods, if applicable). I do not suggest using a crescent wrench or adjustable wrench as these are commonly referred to as \u201cround off\u201d wrenches because they are notorious for slipping and rounding off the edges of a nut. Older banjos may have a dowel with brackets instead of coordinator rods. Finally, choose a properly sized flat-head or Phillip\u2019s head screwdriver to remove screws.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps for taking your banjo apart <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: every banjo model is a bit different and all steps may not apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1 &#8211; Hardware<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Place your banjo on a protective towel, mat or piece of carpet.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Remove the resonator (if applicable) by unscrewing the thumb screws.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mark the bridge location on the banjo head with painter\u2019s tape and mark the bass side of the bridge with a small piece of painter\u2019s tape.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove the tailpiece cover (if applicable), strings and bridge in order.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove the tailpiece nut. The tailpiece can now be removed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove the armrest (if it\u2019s a Vega style armrest it will come off with the J-hooks).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 2 &#8211; The banjo head<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-1766\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-neck-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Tightening banjo neck nut\" width=\"188\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-neck-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-neck-150x200.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-neck.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px\" \/>Turn the banjo over and begin loosening the J-hooks with the T-wrench (why isn\u2019t it called a J-wrench? Who knows these things?) by turning each one half a turn. Begin by loosening the J-hook to the right of the neck heel, then loosen the J-hook directly across the rim from it. Now loosen the J-hook to the right of the first one and continue this pattern until the tension loop is loose.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the tension loop is loose you can fully loosen each of the J-hooks in order until you can remove them from the tension loop.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove the tension loop and banjo head.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3 &#8211; Coordinating rod or rods and neck<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using the appropriate sized wrenches, loosen the coordinating rod or rods by turning the long hex nut.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the tension is off the rod or rods remove any hex nuts holding the rods to the neck bolts and rim and remove the neck and rods\/rods.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4 &#8211; Remaining hardware<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a screwdriver, remove the screws holding the J-bolts to the rim.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove tuning machines by removing the screws holding the housing to the headstock and by removing the nuts on the tuning machine posts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see this is a very involved process and one that you don\u2019t want to enter into unless you are extremely confident in your skills. As always, taking things apart is always more simple than putting them back together. It is even more difficult and requires precise knowledge in banjo setups. <strong>A poorly set up banjo can be all but unplayable.<\/strong> It also requires tensioning the rim and banjo head which is where disastrous issues can occur.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps for putting your banjo back together<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1 &#8211; Tuning machines and J-hooks<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reattach tuning machines to the headstock. Be careful to not overtighten the screws. They are very small and will easily strip.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reattach the J-hooks to the rim<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1769\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Rim-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Banjo Rim\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Rim-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Rim-150x200.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-Rim.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>Step 2 &#8211; Coordinating rod or rods and neck<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place the neck bolt through the rim and snug the nut enough to hold the neck in place but not so tightly you can\u2019t adjust the neck.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thread the long nut about 1\/4 of the way into the neck bolt, thread the coordinating rod nut all the way onto the tailpiece end of the coordinating rod.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the inside of the rim, put the coordinating rod through the hole in the tailpiece side of the rim and thread the neck end of the coordinating rod about 1\/4 of the way into the long nut.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thread and snug the tailpiece nut onto the end of the coordinating rod on the outside of the rim. Snug the coordinating rod nut to the inside of the rim. Tighten both coordinating rod nuts against the tailpiece end of the rim.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Measure the rim from 12 o\u2019clock to 6 o\u2019clock and from 3 o\u2019clock to 9 o\u2019clock. These measurements should be exactly the same. If they are not, adjust the long nut. Adjusting the long nut to lengthen the coordinating rod will expand the 12 &#8211; 6 measurement and at the same time will reduce the 3 &#8211; 9 measurement. The opposite will occur from shortening the coordinating rod.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3 &#8211; The banjo head<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replace the banjo head using the steps from<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/change-banjo-head\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this article on changing a banjo head<\/span><\/a>.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Do not tension the head yet.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4 &#8211; The neck, again<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Align the neck so that the bottom of the fretboard is level with the top of the tension loop and tighten the neck nut to the rim. Use a wrench to prevent the long nut from turning while you tighten the neck nut. This can be adjusted up or down as necessary while tensioning the banjo head and adjusting the string height.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5 &#8211; The tailpiece and bridge<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1655\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-String-height-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"measuring banjo string height\" width=\"167\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-String-height-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-String-height-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-String-height-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Banjo-String-height.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/>Reattach the tailpiece.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restring the banjo, but do not bring up to pitch.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replace the bridge ensuring the bass side is in the correct position and place it against the painter\u2019s tape.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bring the banjo up to pitch.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 6 &#8211; Tension the banjo head<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tension the banjo head following the steps from <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/change-banjo-head\/\">this article on changing a banjo head<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be careful not to overtighten the coordinating rod\/rods or the banjo head. This can damage the rim or head and\/or affect your tone. If your neck angle is off, a string height of exactly 1\/8th of an inch might not be obtainable. If the string height is over 1\/8th (0.125\u201d) of an inch before you begin tensioning the head, the neck angle is too steep and needs to be adjusted. Conversely, if you can\u2019t bring the banjo up to tune because the strings are touching the frets, the neck angle is too low and no amount of J-hook tightening will allow you to get a string height of 1\/8th (0.125\u201d) of an inch.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Final Words<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working on your own banjo can be very rewarding and if you are good at it you can set your banjo up exactly to your liking. I recommend getting a cheap pawnshop banjo to practice taking it apart and getting acquainted with the finer points of banjo repair and set up before you venture into taking apart your prized instrument.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Look below for more articles on cleaning and maintaining your banjo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes a banjo needs to be completely taken apart to clean or repair it. If you&#8217;re up for the challenge, this article walks through how to take a banjo apart and then back together again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[239,261],"tags":[259,260,258],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1704"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}