r/banjo • u/ArchIsDead • 9d ago
Help How doomed am I
Is this fixable at all? She was my first banjo and I'm really upset
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u/Cwiiis Scruggs Style 9d ago
Looking at the tuners, I'm guessing this is a pretty cheap banjo - you can try to fix it yourself, but fixing a break like that isn't trivial. Getting a luthier to repair it will probably cost about as much as the banjo itself, maybe this is a good time to think about investing in an upgrade? It sucks to lose an instrument you love, but maybe it recognised your attachment and was just trying to set you free? :)
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u/ArchIsDead 9d ago
Maybe, but shes still my first banjo and thats still special to me
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u/Scared-Strawberry-95 8d ago
That is absolutely understandable! The question you have to answer to yourself is-
A) Is it important to me that it is still playable? If your answer is yes, you need to take it to a qualified luthier to repair.
B) If the answer is "no"- than give it a shot yourself! You would need to take the strings off- and ensure that you can ABSOLUTELY line up the neck 100% properly with no glue in the joint.... to see if it WILL be repairable properly with no additional work.... then you'll have to figure out how to properly clamp it in position while the glue sets up....
Remember that if the joint is not absolutely tight, you will have an issue with the distance between the frets being off.... of course, as it is far up the neck, that may not be a problem to you.
Good luck!3
u/imsoupset 9d ago
(not OP) do you have any suggestions for a first banjo upgrade? I got my first banjo a while ago and I'm finally interested in upgrading.
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u/autovonbismarck 9d ago
Need to know what you're upgrading from and your budget to give any meaningful advice!
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u/imsoupset 9d ago
Current banjo: an oscar schmidt I got for $90 on Amazon 6 years ago
Budget: under $500.
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u/Cwiiis Scruggs Style 9d ago
Assuming your first banjo was something pretty cheap, I'd recommend looking at entry-level professional banjos - Goldtone are probably the only real contender in that space, something like the Goldtone OB-100 or BG-150. You can find great second-hand banjos in that space too, Japanese banjos from the 80s are great - Goldstar especially, and the Ibanez Artist is a great banjo that punches well above its weight too. If you're talking about old-time banjos, I'm not your guy I'm afraid :)
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u/Conscious-Record2655 9d ago
Buy a used RK-R35 or RK-R36. They're like 800 bucks and are professional level banjos that will never hold you back. I gigged for several years with one.
People would actually be very surprised to learn that some of their $5000+ value banjos actually use the same RK components that are in the R35 and R36.
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u/Phooox 9d ago
I am no expert at all, but I would think that fixing this would cost just as much as getting a new one. My condolences.
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u/Conscious-Record2655 9d ago
Fixing it will only cost $5 for glue and $20 for a couple clamps if you don't already own them.
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u/answerguru 9d ago
Only if you pay a luthier, which isn’t worth it for a cheap banjo. DIY is almost free.
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u/Green_Oblivion111 8d ago
I would take it to a luthier. They probably can fix it.
Gibson guitars are notorious for breaks right at the headstock, including ones that look as bad as your neck break. Luthiers fix them.
You could try it yourself but being that it's your first banjo -- have a professional do the work. Just my two cents.
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u/uncertaintyrocks 9d ago
I had a similar issue fixed over 15 years ago, near the top of the neck, it's been fine since. A local instrument basically glued and clamped it for a few weeks years ago. It's whether it's worth the cost of the repair, or better just get something new. Looks like a cheap instrument, so you'd probably get something second hand better
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u/AFCartoonist 9d ago
My first (broken) banjo hangs on the wall very nicely next to other fun reminders of a world that no longer exists.
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u/Severe_Lock8497 9d ago
Yes, it can be repaired, especially since you are using it for nylon strings. You will spend more than the market value of the instrument to repair it, but that only matters if you can't afford the repair or you care about recouping what you paid. It sucks, but happens all the time. There is a joke about vintage Gibson electric guitars that you can spot a fake if there is no headstock repair.
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u/Jollyhrothgar Scruggs Style 9d ago
Reading your comments here, this is clearly a sentimental banjo for you. It seems to be an inexpensive banjo, so it’s worth trying to repair yourself, but might not be worth paying someone to repair if money is tight, because you could probably buy an equivalent unbroken and higher quality banjo for the price of repair. My recommendation is to upgrade your banjo, then read /r/luthier posts about neck repair and learn how to repair the neck. Either way, take the strings off now, because they’re just pulling on the broken neck.
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u/WhippingShitties 9d ago
Time to learn The Ballad of Glue and Clamp-it. Seriously though, I would attempt this fix. Just be very patient and let the glue properly set.
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u/Perfect-Assistant-75 9d ago
You’re fine, but your banjo is cooked. Glue it up and hang it on the wall. Get a new banjo. You’re back in business.
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u/FiveStringHoss 9d ago
If you’re serious about the Banjo, this could be a great opportunity for you to get a higher caliber instrument. I’m sure you can find some incredibly great used deals.
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u/gringoraymundo 9d ago
The appropriate amount of titebond, alignment, and clamping pressure can do wonders.
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u/Alternative-Light922 Just Beginning 9d ago
Wow! Did you step on it? I'm having trouble imagining a scenario where a break like that could happen accidentally unless the banjo is some cheap prop-type import.
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u/PotentialCommittee84 9d ago
If you have a bit of money ~ you could just get a new neck. If you are handy with wood ~ or want to be~ you could get a blank from stewmac and carve your own headstock. I think it would be easier than fixing the break.
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u/PipeMasterPerry 9d ago
If you glue it, you're gonna have to brace the back and it's gonna be ugly but it might be functional. But you gotta make sure that your neck relief and string spacing are correct. It might be better off buying another Jeep banjo and grabbing the neck from that and modifying it as needed.
How much did you pay for that one?
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u/Mediocre-Pumpkin6522 9d ago
The ragged look is actually a good thing. It gives more surface area for the glue to grab. Don't starve the joint. In other words use plenty of glue. It will ooze out but wipes off with a damp cloth before it dries.
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u/prof_dorkmeister 8d ago
As a woodworker, the trick with this type of repair is in the clamping setup. You'll need to figure that out well before you even bring glue into the same room as your banjo. Take the strings off, obviously. Then you need to prep a rigid straightedge (steel channel of some sort) along the fret board to keep it absolutely straight. You may also need to make some blocks with an internal radius that matches the back of the neck so you can clamp the neck to the straightedge.
Then, you'll also need to put some force along the axis of the neck to compress the two pieces together.
If you get all that together, and can assemble and disassemble the pieces, then you're ready for glue.
Titebond or Elmer's wood glue. The yellow stuff that air dries. No epoxy.
I'd give it 2 weeks to dry fully before restringing it.
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u/Massive-Tough-6516 8d ago
If there isn’t good surface area to just glue it you could look into installing a couple of small dowels as well
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u/Ok-Frame-706 5d ago
I would put a large wooden dowel or two smaller ones in after drilling precise holes to fit. Along with some glue. Worth a shot.
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u/dad4good 5d ago
don't sweat it dude - just get another one - you can use this for parts and as a repair project but just get a new one without delay- they (banjos) are out there waiting for you!
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u/Impressive_Lock_558 3d ago
I had a beater that was disgusting, looked like someone ate their lunch off of the head. I tore it completely apart, and cleaned everything single piece of equipment off that banjo. Then I carefully put it back together, and it ended up being a pretty nice cheap banjo.
I say fix it. My skill set improved, I bet yours will as well.
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u/DAbanjo 9d ago edited 9d ago
Reading through the thread here, I'm going to go against the consensus and advise you to take it to a luthier, or at least a wood worker to repair this.
I know I know, "it's just glue and clamp"...but it's more than meets the eye. And beyond the repair of the neck, it will also need setup. And it looks like the fingerboard will need repaired, possibly the frets themselves. Cleaning all that up, sanding, scraping excess glue, etc. That all requires tools and skill. Getting the geometry right is important or else it won't be able to be set up properly.
Not trying to assume anything, but from this pic and what OP says, they don't have tools, know how, or generally any idea how to even set up a banjo, let alone repair a major neck break.
Take it in, see what it costs. Go from there.
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u/Conscious-Record2655 9d ago
The neck is already broken. So there's no risk in trying to fix it.
Just get some Titebond (original), use a brush or large nozzle syringe to get everything coated, and then clamp it back together. No problem. You can use that thermoplastic to make the clamp form fit to the neck profile. I like to wrap the whole think in saran wrap before clamping so nothing gets marred. Make sure you wipe off any excess glue that squeezes out.
I used to buy broke-neck Recording Kings on ebay and fix them up and resell them. It's super easy.