Yes. I used the Golden Gate fifth string capo and the Shubb in the past but the model railroad spikes are the best solution for capoing the fifth string.
Yeah, that string is typically used as an open drone in most playing. You can play professionally in both old time and bluegrass styles and never ever fret that string. Of course there are some (one might say "progressive") players who do fret that string, but they are typically playing at such a high level of mastery that they know their instrument set up and don't have to worry about an unexpected jab to the fingers.
(Note that there aren't spikes on every fret, just a few to handle the most common capo positions / retunings. So if you are playing higher on the neck, you don't have to worry about it)
Oh, also, the lowest and highest strings sound in unison (under most common tunings at least) if you fret them at the same place on the neck. Which is one reason why you don't need to fret it: you can get the same note usually by just fretting the bottom string.
Thats some ingenious resourcing right there!
It ain't crazy if it works.
Probably the best solution too. 😁
I can't think of a better alternative.
Yes. I used the Golden Gate fifth string capo and the Shubb in the past but the model railroad spikes are the best solution for capoing the fifth string.
I use a paperclip bent to hook the string and around the back side of the neck to the other side of the fretboard.
railroad spikes on a banjo might be among the most USA things I've ever heard
Well… it’s a pretty popular instrument here.
Last four notes sounded like the start of an announcement over a tannoy 🤣
😆
I installed the spikes on most of my banjos, and trying to get them into an ebony fingerboard is no easy task.
I don’t mind the ebony install. Just using the right size bit helps. 😁
I did not know that. Fascinating to me. Now I want a banjo.
You need a banjo. 🪕😀
Better to just add a sliding 5th-string capo. Had one on my banjo for 45 years.
Some people like those, but I don’t. I find they get in my way. Most of my banjo heroes used spikes.
Thanks , hope you’re doing well?
Thanks, you too!
“Keep an eye on him” as if they weren’t the ones that just killed an animal because of a “mistake” good god law enforcement is a joke
Wrong vid bud
So to avoid getting spiked, do you just use it as an open string?
Yeah, that string is typically used as an open drone in most playing. You can play professionally in both old time and bluegrass styles and never ever fret that string. Of course there are some (one might say "progressive") players who do fret that string, but they are typically playing at such a high level of mastery that they know their instrument set up and don't have to worry about an unexpected jab to the fingers.
(Note that there aren't spikes on every fret, just a few to handle the most common capo positions / retunings. So if you are playing higher on the neck, you don't have to worry about it)
Oh, also, the lowest and highest strings sound in unison (under most common tunings at least) if you fret them at the same place on the neck. Which is one reason why you don't need to fret it: you can get the same note usually by just fretting the bottom string.
If you don’t want to install spikes there are other options available - none that work as well imo.
Yeah… those progressive players like Earl Scruggs and Don Reno certainly fretted the 5th string. lol
Does the spike ever get in the way of playing
I don't think the 5th string gets fretted up very often..
Not if they're installed properly