Page updated 05/16/08
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Raejusters |
Raejusters Installed |
NEW Raejusters Deluxe |
RAEJUSTERS - NEW invention by Jim Rae - Exclusive Hatfield Music item. "Raejusters" are ADJUSTABLE banjo resonater screws that replace the original thumbscrews. How do they work? Professional banjo setup technicians have been adjusting the area of the sound chamber by changing the space between the resonater and the flange for years. Roger Siminoff, who has published several articles on this, calls the procedure 'tuning the sound chamber'. Siminoff, Steve Huber, Snuffy Smith, and other top setup technicians use this procedure as a final major step in a professional setup. Some of these experts even use an oscilliscope to determine when the vibrations being projected from the pot are "in phase" or strongest. The idea behind tuning the sound chamber is to find the optimum area for the inside of the banjo so it resonates more fully or projects the vibrations "in phase" (not cancelling each other out). Before now, tuning a sound chamber was accomplished by removing the resonater, placing a number of washers under the thumbscrews and replacing the resonater. Then you listen for differences in tone and volume. This procedure is repeated several times until the optimum spacing is achieved. There is no one formula for all banjos. The number of washers used is different with different banjos and varies according to the tastes and goals of the player. With Raejusters we can instantly adjust the resonater spacing with a simple tweak of an Allen wrench (included) without removing the resonater! Instead of relying on increments based on the thickness of a washer, we can now adjust the spacing to tolerances within a hundredth of an inch! Will this make every banjo sound better? No, of course not. There is no one "Magic Bullet" component or adjustment that will improve the tone of every single banjo. Optimum banjo tone is the result of a combination of many aspects and components working together, and is highly subjective. The "desired tone" is dependent on the ear and preferences of the player. However, we guarantee that Raejusters will give the banjo player minute control of an spect of his banjo tone he previously did not have and will certainly allow the opportunity to improve the tone if used with discrimating ear. Note: If you are not sure which size to order and it is not listed below, contact the manufacturer of your banjo and determine thread spacing of the original thumbscrews. Almost all are either 10/32 or 8/32 SAE. It is also easy to determine what thread count your lugs are simply by taking take one of your thumbscrews to a hardware store and see what size hex nut fits. Metric spacing Raejusters are not availanble. If you have metric screws you will need to convert to SAE resonater lugs, a relatively inexpensive upgrade. These are availabe below in 10/32 thread count for just eight dollars. All manufacturers' lug thread size are not always consistant. Sometimes their regular supplier is backordered or they run out of one size and use the other in order not to hold up production over an insignificant component. Therefore, the manufacturer's specs listed below are not guaranteed. It is the customer's responsibility to ascertain the thread count before ordering Raejusters. |
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Raejusters Deluxe! Specially tooled Raejusters which need no spacers. Easier to install, sleeker look, fewer parts to lose! see photo, far right above. Note - Deluxe Raejusters will not work on Stellings. |
| 10/32 thread Raejusters, (set of four) for most Gibson & Gibson style, some (but not all) Deering, Ome, Huber, Cheif, banjos $23.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart | 8/32 thread Raejusters (set of four) for Stelling, Nechville, Washburn, MOST Deerings, and Gold Tone banjos, most Asian imports $23.00. plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart |
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10/32 thread Raejusters Deluxe Nickel (set of four) for most Gibson & Gibson style, some (but not all) Deering, Ome, Huber, Cheif, banjos $25.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart |
8/32 thread Raejusters Deluxe Nickel (set of four) for most Asian imports, Nechville, Washburn, MOST Deerings, and Gold Tone banjos (not for Stellings - the original 8/32 Raejuster (above) is the only one that will work on Stellings. $25.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart |
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10/32 thread Raejusters Deluxe Gold Plated (set of four) for most Gibson & Gibson style, some (but not all) Deering, Ome, Huber, Cheif, banjos $28.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Sorry - CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK! |
8/32 thread Raejusters Deluxe Gold Plated (set of four) for most Asian imports, Nechville, Washburn, MOST Deerings, and Gold Tone banjos (not for Stellings - the original 8/32 Raejuster (above) is the only one that will work on Stellings. $28.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart |
Replacement
Resonater Lug Screws - To adapt
banjos with metric or odd-sized thread count to10/32 Raejusters.
Requires 1/8" screw, (requires 7/64" to 3/32" hole).
Set of four - $8.00 plus 1.00 P&H Add
to Cart
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BANJO STRINGS
Click here for directions and tips on changing strings
All strings: postage paid!
SPECIAL: Buy one dozen
sets of any one string, get .50 off per set.
Click "Add to Cart" then
click on "options" link in shopping cart, choose "12 set special".
Special orders: We can special-order virtually any string
you want for any stringed instrument.
Minimum special order: 12 sets (of the same item).
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G.H.S. PF-170, regular light gauge, (.09, .011, .013, w.020, .09) - $4.00/set Add to Cart |
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G.H.S J.D. Crowe PF-140, light gauge -(.0095, .011, .012, .w.020, .095) - $4.00/set.Add to Cart |
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G.H.S Sonny Osborne PF-175, medium lght gauge, (.011, 012, .013, .w022, .011) - $4.00/set. Add to Cart |
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Vega V-700, light gauge (.009, .010, .013, W.020, .009) - $4.00/set. Add to Cart |
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Vega V-730 medium gauge (.010. .012, .016, .023, .010) - $4.00/set. Add to Cart |
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Gibson Earl Scruggs GESL, light gauge, (.0095, .010, .013, .w020, .0095.) - $5.00/set Add to Cart |
| Gibson Earl Scruggs GESM, medium gauge, (.010, .012, .014, w.022, .010) - $5.00/set Add to Cart | |
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Black Diamond N730 light gauge, nickel-wound fourth (.010, .012, .014, W.022, .010) $4.50/set Add to Cart |
| Black Diamond N735 medium gauge, nickel-wound fourth (.011, .013, .015, W.024, .011) $4.50/set Add to Cart | |
| NEW! Black Diamond Black Coated strings N730B - last twice as long as steel strings! Light gauge only: .010, .012 .014 .022 .010 List: $13.95/set. HM price: $8.00 set Add to Cart |
FAST FRET© lubricant/solvent - Apply to strings before and after each playing session. Allows faster position changing, longer string life. Cuts skin oils and cleans residue from strings, while leaving protective coating which retards moisture penetration, slowing corrosion.One container lasts one to two years.Solvent is applied and strings scoured with a 1" diameter swab stick. List: $6.00 HM price: $5.00 plus $1.00 P&H. Add to Cart FINGER EASE© String lubricant/solvent - Promotes faster position changing, reduced finger soreness. Inhibits corrosion. Odorless. Preserves fingerboard. New dry Formula. For steel, nylon, or gut strings. Aerosol spray application, then wipe with cloth (not provided). Weight: 2.5 ounces. List: $3.95 HM: $3.50 plus $1.00 P&H. Add to Cart |
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The most important component that can alter the tone of your banjo at such a low cost. For decades, the standard Grover was the only choice. Golden Gate and Stew-Mac also offer the economy "stamped out" bridges. There are now several newer designs available, carved from prime woods with larger growth rings instead of being stamped out of any scrap maple available. All these high tech bridges have improved tone and durability.
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NEW! Sosebee Submerged wood bridges! Microorganisims eat away at the wood cells underwater, and over time leave voids which make the wood more resonant. Gary Sosebee is now making bridges from wood submerged for many years in the Great Lakes. List: $30.00 HM price: $32.00 plus 1.00 P&H.
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NEW! Desert Rose Vintage Elite Z-bridge. Made from submerged maple, 150 years old. Features propriatary aerospace technology unique to this bridge. Suggested list: $35.00.HM price; $30.00 plus $1.00 P&H Desert Rose Vintage Elite Z-bridge 5/8" Add
to Cart | ||||||||
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NEW! Sampson bridge, available in maple and walnut, both with ebony top. Walnut version Used by Alison Brown. This is not just another maple/ebony bridge! The wood combinations chosen have evolved through years of experimentation. Slightly heavier than standard bridges. Each bridge made individually by hand to precision specs and saturated with oil to repel moisture which can change the bridge's acoustic characteristics from day to day. These bridges are designed to bring out a different tone in a banjo, a warmer more musical tone. Generally speaking they will take away a bit of the harsh metallic high end. This makes them an excellrent bridge for Stelling banjos which are known for high overtones or for arch top banjos that seem too bright, or imports which are too lightweight to have good bass response. Available with compensated third slot only. $30.00 plus $1.00 P&H
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Stelling compensated bridge that will correct common
intonation problems Note-This
bridge will not work on Stelling banjos (except the Crudader) because
they have a compensated nut. | ||||||||
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Stelling Old Wood bridge, "Lost Forest" submerged
wood. $ 30.00 5/8" Add
to Cart |
BANJO MUTE by KBH Made of beautiful hardwood.
For straight bridges only, will not work on Tunecraft, Moon, Sampson,
Stelling or any compensated bridges except the straight ones with only the third string notch cut back. List:$14.95 HM Price: $12.00 plus $1.00 P&H.KBH Banjo Mute, Thin, for standard (Grover, etc) bridges Add
to Cart |
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NEW! ULTIMATE BANJO MUTE by Gold Tone. Adjusts to any width bridge, sits below the strings, so it does not interfere with picking hand.Will not vibrate loose. Fits four, five or six string banjos. Lacquered brass. $24.00 plus 1.00 P&H Add to Cart |
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Banjo Fifth String Tuning Machines
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Round hooks, 1/4" $2.50 ea. Postage
paid. Add
to Cart
POT HARDWARE Saga Notched tension hoop, (Gibson style) 24 notches, for banjos with round bracket hooks. Triple nickel plated. List: $59.95 HM: $45.00 plus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart Saga Grooved tension hoop, for banjos with flattened brackets. Triple nickel plated. $30. plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart Saga one-piece flange, 1930's Gibson style, triple nickel plated. List: $79.95 HM: $60.00 plus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart First Quality one-piece flange, 1930's Gibson style, nickel plated, made in USA. Best available. $75.00 plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart
All Tailpieces: $2.00 P&H
TUNER BUTTONS (see photos of tuning machines above left). Perloid (Bright white plastic with ridge, matches
Five Star planetary) $1.50 post. pd Add
to Cart Waverly, Ivroid (smaller than Five Star, off-white with lines Pre-war Gibson, Vega, etc replacement) $5.00 ea. post. pd Add to Cart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The weight, consistency, and thickness of the head affects the tone of your banjo. Generally, the thinner and lighter weight, the more treble or "bright' the tone...more "crack" but less fullnes and sustain. The thicker/heavier, the bassier the tone. Thickness and weights provided below.(Note-The Remo Fiberskin and real calfskin heads are made from a different material than the others, so the thickness/weight comparison is skewed. They both have a 'plunky' tone, generally favored by old-time players). |
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Remo Weatherking P-190 - .008" thick, 2.0
ounces. Specify low, med, or high crown. (medium and high crown fit
most banjos.Use low crown for archtop tone rings.) White, frosted
top. List - $19.95 HM price - $12.00 Add
to Cart Note: Fist Quality, Five Star, Showcase are all the exact same head, made by Ludwig. Many major banjo manufacturers install Ludwig heads at the factory with their own banjo company logo printed on the head (Gibson uses Remo, and Deering use both Remo on Tenbrooks and Ludwig on most other models). The heads with company logos, Showcase, Five Star and First Quality are all the same head with different logos. You may order one "brand" above and get another depending on our inventory at the time. The logo may be different than what you ordered, but the head is exactly the same. Saga (Ludwig) P-194 - White, frosted .0095", 5.0
oz. One crown size (height, not diameter) fits all. .List - $24.95. HM: $17.00 Add
to Cart
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Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 phone/fax: 1-865-426-8063 Order line, toll free: 1-865-428-8063 |