Copyright©2000 Mickey Cochran

We have quite a few options available to our customers for any banjo purchased through Folk of the Wood. Before your banjo ships, we can customize it to your liking.

Following is only a sampling of what is available to enhance and increase the value of your new banjo...

D-Tuners allow the banjo player many new possibilities along with the capability to recreate some of the original Classics. Everyone remembers "Earl's Breakdown" or "Randy Lynn Rag"...well, these tunes would be impossible to play without the right tools...or, in this case, the right D-Tuners. There are many tunes which you're already playing that can be enhanced with a D-Tuner variation. For instance, I've taken "Wildwood Flower" and played it straight ahead Scruggs style and then on the following break, play part of the melody with D-Tuners. It really changes the tonality of a tune entirely...and, just about any tune can be improvised upon with the use of D-Tuners.

Here’s what Bill Keith says:
When Dan Bump and I made up the first 50 sets of our tuners we underestimated the demand for high quality banjo accessories. Since that time in 1 963 it has been demonstrated to us that smooth operation, precision construction and extended guarantee are all important to the serious banjo player. We have also been surprised and pleased to find that the versatility of our tuners has opened new avenues of expression to many banjo players whose musical imagination has taken them beyond the basic change from G to D tuning. Sure, we’re flattered by the foreign imitations (Schaller D-Tuners), but we’ve taken a look inside and we’re convinced that in the long run our tuners will continue to prove their superiority. For ourselves, we will continue to apply our high standards to the Keith Tuners and any other products we may make available.

Keith Style D-Tuners in Action Sampler #1

Sampler #2: To listen to another sound file of of Keith tuners at work, click here...select the tune: Trekkin' the Gila on the album of the same title.

1. Keith Style D-Tuners (The Originals and the Top Choice!)
BKT-23S (2nd and 3rd Strings) Stainless Pair Current Price: 200.00
BKT-14S (1st and 4th Strings) Stainless Pair Current Price: 200.00
BKT-23G (2nd and 3rd Strings) Gold-Plated Pair Current Price: 250.00
BKT-14G (1st and 4th Strings) Gold-Plated Pair Current Price: 250.00

Installation Process

Installation, on a purchased banjo through us, is an additional 25.00 per two installed. We install them with the proper angle, for easy access, on the tightening screws and the proper angle on the knobs. If purchasing a new banjo through us, we ensure that the original keys, that were removed from your banjo, are shipped with the banjo along with your Keith Tuner Lifetime Warranty card.

D-Tuners allow the banjo player many new possibilities along with the capability to recreate some of the original Classics. Everyone remembers "Earl's Breakdown" or "Randy Lynn Rag"...well, these tunes would be impossible to play without the right tools...or, in this case, the right D-Tuners. There are many tunes which you're already playing that can be enhanced with a D-Tuner variation. For instance, I've taken "Wildwood Flower" and played it straight ahead Scruggs style and then on the following break, play part of the melody with D-Tuners. It really changes the tonality of a tune entirely...and, just about any tune can be improvised upon with the use of D-Tuners.

Easy to install, easy to use
 Keith Banjo Tuners replace the original pegs on your banjo. No new holes have to be drilled and there is no need to mar the peghead with unsightly contraptions. Since the special meúchanism is contained within the body of the tuners, the appearance of the banjo is not harmed in anyway. The polished stainless steel (or optional gold plate) of the Keith Tuners and their attractive pearlescent buttons make a handsome addition to any banjo. Matching butútons are available for the other pegs of your banjo.
 
The Keith Banjo Tuners are easy to set. With the side thumbscrews loose, the banjo strings are tuned in the normal way (super-smooth 4 to 1 planetary gearing is built in). After tuning, one thumbscrew on each Keith Tuner is tightened, making it impossible to raise the pitch of the strings. The pitch of the strings is then lowered and the other side thumbscrew on each tuner is tightened. Now twist the button as far as it will go in either direction and it will always stop exactly on pitch. Full instructions for installation and use are included with every pair of Keith Banjo Tuners.
 
A Few Features
Thumbscrew friction adjustment - durable nylon friction washer - splined button shaft gives choice of three button positions for most convenient use - fits standard 3/8” hole in peg-head - handsome pearlescent buttons - 4 to 1 planetary gears - stainless steel construction -retaining springs to help prevent accidental loss of thumbscrews - lifetime guarantee to origúinal purchaser - proven in use since 1963- verúsatile and easy to use - available for the 1st& 4th strings as well as the 2nd & 3rd.

For further Installation, Maintenance and Funtions of the Keith D-Tuners click here.

1. Keith Style D-Tuners (The Originals and the Ones we wholeheartedly recommend!)

Increases the versatility of your banjo and the capability to play many classic bluegrass tunes.
Nickel Plated or Gold Plated as shown below. Click on images below for magnified view.
Nickel-Plated Keith Style D-Tuners
Gold-Plated Keith Style D-Tuners

Increases the versatility of your banjo and the capability to play many classic bluegrass tunes.
Nickel Plated as shown below.

Click on images below for magnified view:

Here's what they look like on your banjo after installation.

Click on images for magnified view:

Folk of the Wood
1031 Mechem Dr. Unit 1
Ruidoso, NM 88345
505-258-8638 Toll Free Order Line ONLY: 866-455-3689

Be sure to write if you have any questions regarding these lessons: info@folkofthewood.com

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