I’ve been playing 5 string bluegrass for over 26 years and have taught for many of those years. I have seen many banjos pass and I know that students need a few pointers to make their banjo sound as good and as natural as possible.
If I had 10 new students, I’m sure 6 to 7 would say to me today: “I’ve been keeping this banjo in the cupboard for 20 years. Now it is time to learn to play it.” Many people are unaware that the banjo can get out of balance even when it’s just sitting in a cupboard. A little tender love is required!
Important: A good instrument can’t be replaced. It’s obvious that learning on low-end instruments is more difficult. It’s more difficult to use and manipulate. After playing a low-end banjo, it’s easier to switch to a high-quality instrument. The majority of students start with the cheapest instrument, then upgrade to the Cadillac a few more years later. This is wrong. Learning on a simple instrument is a benefit. Even though many people don’t have the funds to purchase a high-end banjo, they may have an old banjo in their possession that can be used as a learning tool. This article can help them. You shouldn’t think that we can make your Japanese made banjo sound like the Gibson Mastertone. It will sound better but it won’t make a Ford Escort look like a Cadillac.
Item #1: new strings
You can make the most drastic changes to the sound of your banjo for sale by changing its strings. It is simple and you can do it at home. Be sure to check your string gauge. String manufacturers will label their sets with terms like medium, light, medim, or heavy gauge. You’ll find mediums too harsh on your fingers so I recommend you go with medium light. Even if your fingers are small or you’re young, light gauge strings may be more appropriate for you. You will have to play with several sets before you can find the right one.
After 8 hours of continuous playing, it is a good time to change the strings. Also, if you take the banjo out of your closet for the first times in weeks, months, or even years, get them changed. Even if the instrument isn’t in use, strings can wear out, rust and become dull. If you have any questions, check out the author’s contact information.
2nd item: Create the bridge
The bridge is the tiny wooden piece that strings pass over just before they reach end of banjo. Your banjo won’t produce the right notes if the bridge doesn’t fit properly. The bridge is not fixed down. It’s held in by the pressure from the strings and can be moved around. An electronic tuner will be required to set your bridge.
Measure the distance from your nut to the 12th Fret. Then, take the distance from your nut to the 12th fret and make it equal. Once you have done this, tune your instrument. Once the banjo is in tune fret the 1st D string at the 17th fret. Your tuner will tell you what to do. This will give you a tuned G note once the bridge has been adjusted. If the tuner finds the note too sharp, adjust the bridge to move it closer towards the tail. Adjust, then check again. If the tuner tells you that the note sounds flat, adjust the bridge to the neck. Next, adjust and again check. Keep moving and checking until you find that the 1st String, at the 17th fret, has an in tune G note.
Handy tip: After the bridge is established, every string change you make in the future should be done one at the time.
#3: head
This adjustment tends to make a significant difference in the overall sound quality of the banjo. This is a common fear among beginners. All you need to do is use sockets and nut drivers. It’s quite simple. The head is the white “skin”, which you can use as a drum, and the big white circle at the top of the banjo. If the brackets that secure the head loosen, the head sounds “mooshy” (and “tubby”) A clean, tight head is the key to classic banjo sound!
The first step is to take off the back of your banjo (this is the resonator). You will find 4 thumb screws on most banjos that hold the resonator. These screws can be easily removed with no tools. Sometimes, you may need a screwdriver for the back screws.
The “fingers”, also known as brackets, can be seen ringing the Banjo upside down. The bracket nuts are at the bottom end these brackets. These brackets, nuts, and bolts are just fancy nuts. Grab your sockets, nut drivers, or both and decide which size will fit your bracket nuts.
Once you have the proper tool, begin with one nut. Then tighten it. Be gentle! Simply “snug” this bracket. These nuts can be turned to crack or spit the head. Use very little force to grab the nut and then move onto the next.
Most banjo repairmen advise that you start with one nut. Next, move to the one immediately across from it. Finally, tighten it. As you work your way around the banjo, tighten each pair of nuts in the following order. You should only just tighten the nut.
If you return to the same one as you started with, it’s very likely you will get it loose again. It is quite common to need to go around the banjo several times before it gets snug. You can then put the resonator on once everything is tightened.
Ending
You can squeeze more life out your old low-end banjo with some tender loving care. Although I strongly recommend buying the best banjo for your budget, the reality is that it’s not always possible. This simple guideline will help you set up your banjo and improve its sound quality and playability.