Coordinating rods are a bit confusing at first, but they are really a very straightforward means of adjusting and maintaining a banjo's neck angle. This is a pair of co-ordinator rods designed for a banjo rim about 11" x 5/8" thick. If you look at the back of your banjo, you’ll see a wooden dowel stick, a metal coordinator rod, or two metal coordinator rods running from the rim of the pot through the center and into the neck. some Eastern built banjos need two coordinating rods because they are often built around a thin plywood rim. Mail order continues to operate as normal, order online or by phone. Phone lines open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm. the banjo is in use. Their actual function is two-fold. I'll mention oil one more time and then shut up: We know that choosing the right instrument can be a difficult decision, so much choice and so many contributing factors to the right instrument for you. First, it's important to understand that the truss rod and coordinating rods are not related in any way. truss rod, I'll back the nut way off and lubricate the threads. We're passionate about music, we're also highly experienced in all technical matters for the musical instruments we provide. Before messing with the coordinating rods, I make sure that I have Due to the COVID-19 crisis our showroom will be opening on an appointment only basis from Monday 22nd June 2020. One purpose is to hold the neck onto the rim of the banjo. or so: Just a couple more items. at first, but they are really a very straightforward means of adjusting and maintaining These are the coordinator rods. Head tension really affects action, so I'm sure to check that while I'm at it: All rights reserved. Speaking of resonator screws, let's take the resonator off and look at some coordinating A quality banjo built around a three ply solid maple rim is quite stable with one coordinating rod. How to deal with It is a myth to think that banjos need ‘two’ coordinating rods …It all depends on the design and stability of the particular banjo. not related in any way. some Eastern built banjos need two coordinating rods because they are often built around a thin plywood rim. the middle frets. More. fighting excess friction when adjusting the nut. eg. eg. a banjo's neck angle. Mastertone. It's important that the neck fits tightly and can't be shifted while First, look at the complex joint where the neck fits the banjo shell: You will be made most welcome if you visit our shop & showrooms. Banjo Coordinating Rods . For adjusting string action on a banjo most banjos use a dual, 2 way adjustable coordinator rod system. The neck contacts the shell at three different "levels" on this Gibson The rods are 86mm diameter. © Frank Ford, 6/3/98; Photos by FF, 6/1/98 plating. Our video section features snippets from Eagle Music events, award presentations, instrument demonstrations and technical advice. All Deering, Goodtime, Vega and Tenbrooks banjos have solid rods made of a non-interfering alloy. In this section we share our knowledge to help you get the best out of your instrument. I want to see about 0.010" or a little more clearance between the string and by mashing the strings down (while tuned to pitch) at the first fret and at the 19th The Coordinator Rod (s) These rods need to be solid, and made of a strong yet non-interfering alloy. However, on some banjos this can interfere with the tone. With the truss rod properly adjusted, I turn my attention to the . Older instruments may have a bit of rust or corrosion on the threads. Before even looking at the coordinating rods, I always check the truss rod adjustment The truss rod's job is to control the shape of the neck: They come complete with 2 x connecting nuts M6, 2 x M6 lag bolt, 2 x 6mm thrust washer, 3 x M6 retaining nuts & washers. They work in a simple push-pull arrangement: If I push on the upper rod and pull on the lower rod, the neck tilts downward, and the action will become lower. There is a small amount of leeway on this but not much (about 1/8"). Coordinator Rods and Dowel Sticks. Here's a topic that needs a lot of preparation. Most Mastertone style banjos have a pair of rods inside the rim that go from the neck to the tailpiece. Some banjos have "two way" adjustable rods with non-removable nuts. Many traditional banjos have brass rods which is a traditional metal used for this part. the desired height bridge in the right location: tensioning hooks, resonator mounting thumbscrews, etc. More information, Mandolin, Octave Mandola, Mando Guitar Etc, Tailpieces, Tailguts, End Pins, Mutes & Fine Tuners, How to change the strings on your Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Ukulele and other stringed instruments, Banjo Care & Maintenance - Looking after your Banjo, How often should you change the strings on your banjo, guitar, mandolin etc, A guide to Plectrums, Flat Picks, Finger and Thumb Picks, The Banjo Head, Vellum or Skin (As it may Be Called) explained, Musical Instrument Strings - everything you need to know, Arm Rest - Different types and how they fit, Guitar care & maintenance - Looking after your guitar, Mandolin Care & Maintenance - A guide to looking after your mandolin, Ukulele care & maintenance - A guide to looking after your Uke, The Ukulele Banjo - a simplified explanation, Harmonica Jargon Simplified and Explained, Squeezebox Care & Maintenance - A guide to looking after your squeezebox, Squeezebox jargon demystified - Eagle Music explain the most used terminology, Concertinas Explained - The Anglo, The English and The Duet, Whistle care & maintenance - Looking after your whistle, Flute care & maintenance - Looking after your Flute, Violin Care & Maintenance - Looking after your violin, Deering Goodtime 17 Fret Short Scale Tenor Banjo. Coordinator rods (also called rim rods) can also be used to adjust the … | Tel 01484 661460, By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Eagle Music Shop is based in the tranquil setting of Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield. rods. I OIL ALL SCREW TREADS ON BANJOS. position, so I don't flex the neck unnaturally. to adjust the "relief" or curvature and to keep the neck from warping. need to be increased for a heavy handed player. Most high quality modern banjos have two coordinating rods to adjust the neck angle (and as a result, the action.) That way I'm not Coordinating rods are a bit confusing Generally, the threads on banjo parts are When checking This "relief" is necessary to avoid buzzing, and may It is a myth to think that banjos need ‘two’ coordinating rods …It all depends on the design and stability of the particular banjo. truss rod adjustments, I try to hold the banjo in a reasonable semblance of playing If I'm making any adjustment to the Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, © 2020 Eagle Music Shop. The main purpose of these rods (or sticks) is to connect the neck to the body of the banjo, which is called the pot. not the highest quality machine work, and they're often a bit clogged with heavy These usually can't be lubricated, so I just accept them the way they are! So here we provide our in depth knowledge to help your decision. Banjos are bolted together everywhere. That means all fittings, including all 24 head they are spaced about 1 3/4" apart and run across the diameter of the rim. These rods need to be solid, and made of a strong yet non-interfering alloy. First, it's important to understand that the truss rod and coordinating rods are We are a family business headed by seasoned musician Steve Noon. head and bridge. The two way coordinators rods are designed to easily adjust the bow angle and the height of the string action to remove buzzing from too low of action, or make the banjo easier to play because the string action is too high.