Installing Banjo Capo Railroad Spikes Part 2
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Part 2 of a Two-Video Series that are Step-by-Step instructions for installing Railroad Spike style 5th string Capos on a 5-String Banjo by Richie Dotson of www.AcousticBox... Stringed Instrument Repair
Thanks for giving me the confidence to try this as there are no 5-string banjo luthiers near me here in Brazil. I just installed them following your recommendations and was amazed how easily it went ;-)
Superb instruction - Thanks for taking the time Richie
Thank you for this video I really appreciate your kindness, time and patience in sharing what you know. I respect you for giving
Very helpful and informative, thanks for taking the time to make a video
Sooo thats how it's done...Great Video Ritchie
Extremely clear, very very well done, thanks very much for posting.
Excellent professional instruction. Thank you!
Very nice. Really appreciate the detail you go into. Can tell you enjoy being a luthier
Thanks! This was really instructive and helpful. Great videos!
Thank you Richie! I wish I had seen this video pair a little while ago...it would have saved me from myself (or saved my banjos at least) :-)
Thank you for making this video, it was very helpful!
Thanks,You're going to help me to install the spikes in my cheap banjo Stagg
Hello Richie
I am writing from Buenos Aires Argentina.
I am a lover of bluegrass and I have 2 banjos.
Fender FB54 5 str. purchased here, and Mastercraft Classic, Maple burled 5 strings, brought from USA.
I ask you: the small "spot" you use, is common with his head changed or is type L, and the opening is outward or inward?
Thank you very much, Jose Luis
God bless you.
Hi Richie! Thanks for your video, it's very useful. Just a question: why you have to keep the spikes' headed down, instead of up, since the picking movement on the fifth string is in that direction? Doesn't the string escape the spike's head when picked with energy?
Just a question out of curiosity, I admire your skill and am glad to learn some tip.
Have a nice day!
Most of us install them facing down because it makes engaging the spikes much easier than having to raise the string above the spike. It won't pull out as people in the past have suggested. Remember this: Everybody's right ... just ask 'em. :)
Richie Dotson Thank you for your kind and quick answer, I hope you'll keep up with your good job!
Thanks .
Thunbs up. Many thanks for this informative vid.
Thanks, Richie. Excellent tutorial! I have just purchased my first 5-string banjo, and I've been thinking of installing spikes. Very clear video, although your fret dressing tools I don't have! Would a fine flat file do the trick? Or could I smooth them before hammering them in?
+Joseph Blake A flat file would be difficult to use, in my opinion. I would think that beveling them before installing them would be very difficult. You should be fine to tape them off and use the sandpaper. As long as they are comfortable and they don't stick up above the plane of the frets you should be fine. Thanks again!
Thanks for that. I have another question - buying these spikes, online, can you recommend a source?
+Joseph Blake I purchase them in bulk so I get 3000 at a time, but Stewart MacDonald has them and if you aren't using as many as I am you should be good. I haven't ordered in so long I forgot where I got the last ones.
cool. Thanks.
thx - you're the best
Do you shoot for the string to be in the middle of the spike after it is installed?
Really great, I wish you were near me. I'd just pay you to do it! Thanks
Hey Ritchie, Did I miss the size of the drill for the spikes?
60-70% of the size of the spike. You'll need a dial caliper or a micrometer. Not all spikes are the same diameter. I hope this helps.