Banjo Part Descriptions

Subject: Do Banjos Need Collars?
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:10:44 -0400

Friends,

My banjo came with a felt collar down between the neck and the pot. I was told this is right but it doesn't seem that way; the neck can bend back or forward quite a bit. Every guitar I ever saw, the neck and body were smack together. Are banjos different? What say ye folk my experts?

N.Walker
Lancaster, PA

Greetings,

Yes, this felt collar is meant to be there. This is where the wood meets wood otherwise. And the felt pad, not only protects the wood, but also ensures that no buzzing or rattling will occur while playing. This does not change the neck angle in relation to the playing plane; it does make the resonator angle, as compared to the neck plane, slightly different...it certainly does not affect the banjo's playability.

Hope this helps, Mickey