Banjos, banjo lessons, banjo components and accessories, banjo tablature, and banjo instructional items!

Raejuster Installed

Raejusters Deluxe Installed

RAEJUSTERS - Invented by Jim Rae (hence the name RAEjusters) - 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 altering 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 dozens of other top setup technicians use this procedure as a final major step in a professional setup. Some of setup experts even use an oscilliscope to determine when the vibrations being projected from the pot are 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" (as opposed to "out of phase", partially 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. This procedure is repeated several times until the optimum spacing is achieved. There is not 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 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 within seconds, while we still remember thse sound we heard before the adjustment.

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, Raejusters will give the banjo player ability to control of an aspect of his banjo tone he previously did not have. This will allow the opportunity to improve the tone if used with a 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 available. 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 eight dollars. All banjo manufacturers' lug thread size are not 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.

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 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

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

STRING MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS

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 firm 1" diameter swab stick which scours the corrosion and dirt off as the solvent loosens it. List: $6.95 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. Weight: 2.5 ounces. List: $4.49 HM: $3.50 plus $1.00 P&H. Add to Cart

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 instead of being stamped out of scrap maple. These new high - tech bridges all have improved tone and durability.

Postage and handling: $1.00 FOR EACH BRIDGE.

Stewart-MacDonald 3/4" bridge, Maple with ebony top. Un-notched. Want to experiment with a high bridge without paying a lot for one of the new "high-tech" models? This quality bridge is just $12.00! Add to Cart

Snuffy Smith Style I and II - Used by Baucom, Eldridge, Munde, many more. The first of the new high tech bridges, still considered the best by many pros. Sizes: 5/8", 11/16", .656mm, (21/32"), and 3/4". Specify non-compensated third (Style I) or compensated third (Style II). In Style II, the third string slot is cut back to lengthen the third string about 1/16", correcting tendency of third string to intonate sharp as you go up the neck. Also available in Crowe spacing, 1/8" wider from first to fifth slots (select this option in shopping cart).
Snuffy Smith Style III - Made from select grain and wide growth ring patterns Snuffy previously reserved for the banjos of top pros such as Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe. Most experts agree fewer growth rings produce better tone. Standard bridges may have as many as eight or nine rings. Most SS III's have no more than four. Available in Style I and style III (non-compensated) only . List, Style I & II: $25.00, HM price - $22.00. List, Style III: List $30.00, HM price: $27.00 Specify size, spacing and style in "Options" box of shopping cart. Add to Cart
SPECIAL: All 3/4" (in all styles) and all Crowe spacing (in all heights) Snuffy bridges in stock - buy two, get one free! Mix and match! Call 1-865-428-8063 or email to order. This special does not apply to Snuffy 5/8", 11/16" or 21/32" (.656 mm) standard spacing bridges.

Sosebee Submerged wood bridges! Gary Sosebee is making bridges from wood submerged for decades in the Great Lakes. Micro-organisims eat away at the softer material in the wood's cells underwater, leave only the harder material, which makes the wood more resonant, with a hollower, woody tone most people associate with the pre-war sound. List: $40.00 HM price: $30.00 plus 1.00 P&H.

Desert Rose Vintage Z-bridge. Made from submerged maple, 100-150 years old. Suggested list: $40.00. HM price: $30.00 plus $1.00 P&H.
Desert Rose Vintage Z-bridge 5/8" Add to Cart
Desert Rose Vintage Z-bridge 21/32" Add to Cart
Desert Rose Vintage Z-bridge 11/16" Add to Cart

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

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: $24.95 HM Price: Reduced! $15.00 plus $1.00 P&H.KBH Banjo Mute, Thin, for standard (Grover, etc) bridges Add to Cart
KBH Banjo Mute, Thick, for Snuffy Smith, Hotspot, Sosebee, Desert Rose bridges Add to Cart

ULTIMUTE BANJO MUTE Lacquered brass. 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. $19.00 plus $1.00 P&H Add to Cart

Round hooks, 1/4" $2.50 ea. Postage paid. Add to Cart
Round hooks, 1/4" $18.00/doz. P&H 1.00. Add to Cart
Round hooks, 9/32" $2.50 ea. Postage paid. Add to Cart
Round hooks, 9/32" $18.00/doz. P&H 1.00. Add to Cart
Nut, 1/4" - $2.00 ea. Postage paid. Add to Cart
Nuts, 1/4" $13.00/doz. 1.00 P&H Add to Cart
Nuts, 932" - $2.00 ea. Postage paid. Add to Cart
Nuts, 9/32" $13.00/doz. Postage paid. Add to Cart

BANJO BRACKET WRENCHES Wrench for adjusting bracket nuts, tailpiece, and armrest.
1/4 inch - Fits most Gibson, R&T, Stelling, Deering, most Gibson repro banjos. $8.00 plus $1.00 P&H Add to Cart 5/16 inch - Fits many imports, $8.00 plus $1.00 P&H Add to Cart	9/32 inch - fits Vega & Goodtime, Baldwin. Custom made by Deering, this size no longer available from major music distributors. $15.00 plus $1.00 P&H Add to Cart	Hall Banjo Key - Three in one tool, for owners of multiple banjos or setup professionals - 1/4 inch, 5/16 inch, and 9/32 inch wrench in one tool! Patented. Made in England. $17.00 plus $1.00 P&H 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

BANJO TAILPIECES

Waverly Nickel plated steel,adjustable. Used by many USA companies. adjustable. List; $19.95 HM: Reduced! $15.00 Add to Cart	Clamshell Nickel plated brass, adjustable. Spring loaded cover, adjustable. List: $34.95 HM: Reduced! $25.00 Add to Cart	Kerschner Style Nickel plated brass, adjustable. Like the 1920's Gibson and vegas. Adjustable. List: $49.95 HM: $35.00 Add to Cart	No-Knot popular lightweight taipliece on many open back banjos. List:$14.95 HM: $12.00 Add to Cart
Old Waverly Nickle plated brass, adjustable. Used in the 1920's on Ludwig banjos and others. List: $31.95 HM: $25.00 Add to Cart	Old Presto Nickle plated brass, adjustable. Exact replica of 1930's taipliece, no hinge, oval third string hole. List: $22.50 HM: $17.00 Add to Cart	Straightline SL-5 reproduction by Gold Tone. Nickel plated, adjustable.Same specs as the original Price Straightline tailpiece, but zinc instead of brass. One tenth of an ounce lighter than the original Price tailpiece. $25.00 Add to Cart	Straightline SL-5 Gold plated, reproduction by Gold Tone, plated a zinc. $35.00 Add to Cart
NEW! Grover Two- Hump Nickel plated steel, adjustable. Full spring cover replica of tailiece used on 1930's Gibsons List:$34.95 HM: $27.00 Add to Cart	Presto Nickel plated brass, adjustable. Suggested retail: $39.95 HM price: $28.00. Add to Cart	PT1-N Potter Nickel plated brass, adjustable. Suggested retail: $49.95 HM price: $35.00 plus $2.00 P&H Currently out of stock	Potter PT-1NP Nickel plated brass, adjustable. Suggested retail: $39.95 HM price: Reduced! $25.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

TUNER BUTTONS

		Perloid - Bright white plastic with ridge, matches Five Star (Stew-Mac) planetary. $1.50 ea. Free shipping. Add to Cart
		Antique White - Small, yellowish. Same size and configuraton as Waverly (below), but no styrations. $1.50 ea. Free shipping. Add to Cart
		Waverly, Ivroid - Smaller than Five Star, off-white with styrations. Pre-war Gibson, Vega, etc. replacement. $5.00 ea. Free shipping. Add to Cart
		Keith Tuner original factory replacement part - slot for tension screw, splined round hole. $7.00 ea. Free shipping. Add to Cart
		Keith Tuner compatible, to match the regular tuners to your Keith tuners - oval/flat hole. $7.00 ea. Free shipping. Add to Cart

 

Banjo Nuts

Real bone banjo nut, blank (unslotted and unshaped) $7.00 Free P&H Add to Cart	Banjo fifth string nut, plastic $3.00 Free P&H Add to Cart

Banjo Nut, plastic, slotted. Fits most banjos. Factory part on Asian and travel banjos. For nicer banjos, a bone nut should be shaped. $3.00 Free P&H. Add to Cart

Remo Weatherking, frosted top, non-standard size (non-11"). Sizes available; 10" HC, 10 1/2" HC, 10 5/8" HC*, 10 3/4" HC 10 7/8" High Crown, 10 15/16" HC, 10 15/16" MC, 10 3/4"LC*, 10 3/4" HC*, 11 1/8" HC , 12" HC $20.00 Specify non-standard diameter and crown height (Low, Med, or High): send message via email.. NO RETURNS ON ODD SIZED HEADS! please measure carefully! Heads marked with (*) are no longer being manufactured.The stock we have now is the last chance to purchase these sizes. Add to Cart

Ludwig (First Quality/Five Star/Showcase) BH-FQ- White, frosted top. .0095" thick, 5.0 ounces. One crown size (height, not diameter) fits all List - $19.00 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 uses Remo on Tenbrooks models 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.

Five-Star SM100C - .007", 4.7 oz. Transparent. One crown size (height, not diameter) fits all.$19.00 Add to Cart

Remo Weatherking, transparent - thinnest available, .006", 2.2 ounces $16.00 Available in High Crown only. Add To Cart

Saga P-193 - Transparent .007", 4.7 ounces. One crown size (height, not diameter) fits all List - $26.95. HM: $19.00 Add to Cart