Comment by Dan Gibson on March 19, 2015 at 0:44

Or, if it is a fretted banjo, perhaps it's there to move the entire scale length (nut -to-bridge measurement) in an attempt to place the bridge in a position on the head that results in better tone. Is there also a similar spacer between the neck and the tension hoop?

Comment by Trapdoor2 on March 19, 2015 at 21:10

That's a Kay banjo. That spacer is actually a type of adjustment mechanism. Loosen things up and the neck angle can be adjusted. Note that the spacer is curved where it touches the neck.

Comment by thereallyniceman on March 19, 2015 at 22:18

...or is it there to allow the fitting of a Remo head with a 1/4" wide aluminium flesh hoop, instead of a vellum with a 1/8" wire flesh hoop?

Comment by Trapdoor2 on March 20, 2015 at 3:19

Check it out here: http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Banjo/KayBanjoSet...

Comment by thereallyniceman on March 20, 2015 at 9:38

Ahha.. a tapered and curved shim that can slide in and out...very clever!

Comment by Trapdoor2 on March 20, 2015 at 14:26

It is clever. However, the shim doesn't move, the neck does.

Tom Nechville has updated and modernized this idea with his "flux capacitor" system. His system provides a similar shim and modified heel that adapts to a Gibson-style pot assembly. It allows very fine tuning of the neck position/angle and in combination with bridge height, it allows optimization of the action. Also, it makes for a very quick and easy neck swap...mine has both a Bluegrass/ZB neck and a short-scale Plectrum neck that are interchangeable.

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