Banjo Tips from Tom Nechville

Jump to these tips, simply click on the links below. Or scroll down on the page to view:

• Neck Adjustment and Removal
  
  
• Adjusting and Replacing the Head
  
  
• Positioning the Bridge
• Changing Strings
  
• Installing Fifth String Spikes
• Professional Banjo Setup- Step By Step
• Advanced Setup for the Picky Player

Nechville Neck Connection

Nechville Heli-Mount Head Adjustment and Changing

Positioning The Bridge Using Harmonics

Changing Banjo Strings the Correct Way

Installing Spikes

1. First find a drill bit as small as possible, I have used bits as big as 1/16" and ground them down while they are spinning in the drill. you can make a nice tapered hole that the spike will stay in, but you will not crack the fingerboard or bend the spike when tapping it in if the drill is sized right.
2. Try a practice spike and continue to thin the drill bit until it's a little thinner than the spike itself.
3. Drill the hole about 1/3 of the way back behind the fret you are capoing to leave room for fretting that string with your finger.
4. Aim the hole just to the outside of the 5th string and be sure to only go in as deep as you need (just through fingerboard). The head of the spike should be directly under the 5th string when done.
5. You'll have to move the 5th string out of the way after starting the hole as to not accidentally cut through the string.
6. Use a thin hacksaw blade as a spacer under the head of the spike while tapping it down.
7. Again it is helpful to slightly grind one end of the blade flat so it's not too thick and doesn't scratch the fingerboard. A thin pocket ruler works well for this also.
8. When the spikes are down, adjust them straight with a needle nose pliers and then carefully file down the tops of the spikes until there is no buzzing from the previous fretted note.
9. Last step is polishing off the top of spikes with fine sandpaper, 400 or 600 and possibly a little fine steel wool or oil, to revive the fretboard appearance.

Professional Banjo Setup - Step by Step

(PDF)