My Slingerland May Bell banjo is in need of a replacement tailpiece. The banjo is in average condition and the intonation is not great. My first instinct was to acquire a replacement that is just like what was on there - a "Presto" tailpiece (not sure if this is actually original or not). But then I thought, perhaps this is a good opportunity to make a significant improvement to the banjo. So, I would very much like to hear from anyone who would like to share their knowledge, experience, or opinion on whether to stick with a Presto type of tailpiece or whether to go with a different style, and where is a good Internet source to acquire such a tailpiece.
Re: Tailpiece Recommendations for Slingerland Banjo
If you liked the sound, go for another Presto, they're a decent tailpiece. In general, you'll want something that sticks out over the head of the banjo like that - so if you put a No-Knot on it, for instance, you would probably lose a lot of sound.
The only real ways to upgrade from the Presto would be 1. An adjustable tail piece, or 2. and INDIVIDUALLY adjustable tail piece (like a Bear Claw. There's a gold 4 string Bear Claw on eBay right now for $75).
An adjustable one allows you to change the down-pressure on the bridge, which will change tone and volume somewhat. If you really want to go for it all, then get a bear claw that lets you change the down pressure of individual strings to suit your tastes. Whenever I have used a bear claw, I always end up with them all at about the same height, so it kinda kills the purpose
If the banjo has any value as a vintage instrument, then you're best off going with the closest thing you can find to the original (shouldn't be too hard to find a catalog or something that would show you what it had originally if it wasn't the Presto).
As far as intonation goes, the nice thing about a banjo is that you can move the bridge easily to adjust the intonation. If the action isn't too high, you should be able to get a decent intonation across all the strings (don't be afraid to angle the bridge a bit if need be). If it is really wonky, then maybe think about different gauge strings.
If you've got some heavy core strings mixed with light core strings, then you may find some differing intonation of different strings (especially if the action is high, because the amount that you have to bend the string to fret it will make it sharp, and different core sizes will vary how much it goes sharp when fretted).
The easy way to position the bridge is to compare harmonic tones at the 12th fret with the same string fretted at the 12th. (To get a harmonic, touch the string at the 12th fret without actually fretting it, and then remove you finger right after plucking the string). If the fretted note is sharper than the harmonic, move the bridge toward the tail piece, if it is flat, move it toward the neck.
Re: Tailpiece Recommendations for Slingerland Banjo
Snapper,
The Slingerland Maybells had Presto tailpieces on them, but the origanals are not worth more then the banjo if it is an entry level instrument. (about USD150 on ebay for both)
I have several of the 17 fret entry level instruments and have played a number of the 19 fret Maybells (Maybell was a brand name for Slingerland and came in a variety of styles. They become more fancy as the price goes up and that is when you see the Prestos. Presto was still just a cheap tailpiece then, BTW.
If you do want a presto style tailpiece, get the Prucha version from greg boyd fine instruments (google it) as it comes closest to the oiginal. Otherwise, get one of the modern Waverly tailpieces that have an adjusment bolt on the back. They retail for USD 17 dollars or so.
Tailpiece Recommendations for Slingerland Banjo
Tailpiece Recommendations for Slingerland Banjo
My Slingerland May Bell banjo is in need of a replacement tailpiece. The banjo is in average condition and the intonation is not great. My first instinct was to acquire a replacement that is just like what was on there - a "Presto" tailpiece (not sure if this is actually original or not). But then I thought, perhaps this is a good opportunity to make a significant improvement to the banjo. So, I would very much like to hear from anyone who would like to share their knowledge, experience, or opinion on whether to stick with a Presto type of tailpiece or whether to go with a different style, and where is a good Internet source to acquire such a tailpiece.
# Posted on June 21st 2007 by snapper
Re: Tailpiece Recommendations for Slingerland Banjo
If you liked the sound, go for another Presto, they're a decent tailpiece. In general, you'll want something that sticks out over the head of the banjo like that - so if you put a No-Knot on it, for instance, you would probably lose a lot of sound.
The only real ways to upgrade from the Presto would be 1. An adjustable tail piece, or 2. and INDIVIDUALLY adjustable tail piece (like a Bear Claw. There's a gold 4 string Bear Claw on eBay right now for $75).
An adjustable one allows you to change the down-pressure on the bridge, which will change tone and volume somewhat. If you really want to go for it all, then get a bear claw that lets you change the down pressure of individual strings to suit your tastes. Whenever I have used a bear claw, I always end up with them all at about the same height, so it kinda kills the purpose
If the banjo has any value as a vintage instrument, then you're best off going with the closest thing you can find to the original (shouldn't be too hard to find a catalog or something that would show you what it had originally if it wasn't the Presto).
As far as intonation goes, the nice thing about a banjo is that you can move the bridge easily to adjust the intonation. If the action isn't too high, you should be able to get a decent intonation across all the strings (don't be afraid to angle the bridge a bit if need be). If it is really wonky, then maybe think about different gauge strings.
If you've got some heavy core strings mixed with light core strings, then you may find some differing intonation of different strings (especially if the action is high, because the amount that you have to bend the string to fret it will make it sharp, and different core sizes will vary how much it goes sharp when fretted).
The easy way to position the bridge is to compare harmonic tones at the 12th fret with the same string fretted at the 12th. (To get a harmonic, touch the string at the 12th fret without actually fretting it, and then remove you finger right after plucking the string). If the fretted note is sharper than the harmonic, move the bridge toward the tail piece, if it is flat, move it toward the neck.
Good luck with it!
Pete
# Posted on June 21st 2007 by Reverend
Re: Tailpiece Recommendations for Slingerland Banjo
Snapper,
The Slingerland Maybells had Presto tailpieces on them, but the origanals are not worth more then the banjo if it is an entry level instrument. (about USD150 on ebay for both)
I have several of the 17 fret entry level instruments and have played a number of the 19 fret Maybells (Maybell was a brand name for Slingerland and came in a variety of styles. They become more fancy as the price goes up and that is when you see the Prestos. Presto was still just a cheap tailpiece then, BTW.
If you do want a presto style tailpiece, get the Prucha version from greg boyd fine instruments (google it) as it comes closest to the oiginal. Otherwise, get one of the modern Waverly tailpieces that have an adjusment bolt on the back. They retail for USD 17 dollars or so.
MIke Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on June 21st 2007 by mikeyes