i play a 1953 john grey tenor banjo.it has quite a bassy tone which is ok for playing solo,but i would like a brighter sound for playing in sessions.does anyone know how to achieve this.
Plecs can have a subtle effect as well - I find I get a brighter tone with the Clayton .50mm plecs and a softer, less bright tone with the Jim Dunlop .60mm nylon ones.
1. Change the head. The newer smooth heads will give a brighter tone. This is the most effective.
2. Use nickel wound strings instead of bronze. They're brighter.
3. As "triplet upstairs" said the pick will make a difference. I too use the clayton .50mm
Tons of info on mike keyes website.
If you're near Galway call into Tom Cussen at Clareen Banjos he'll put you right straight away.
They have a "brighter" tone to them and they are light. Even the medium gauge are light.
I also have a goatskin head. It makes a huge difference. I agree that the tensioning of the head makes a huge difference. Especially in rainey or humid conditions.
banjo tone
banjo tone
i play a 1953 john grey tenor banjo.it has quite a bassy tone which is ok for playing solo,but i would like a brighter sound for playing in sessions.does anyone know how to achieve this.
# Posted on June 20th 2009 by smokinbanjo
Re: banjo tone
Tighten the head or use lower gauge strings would the most obvious answers.
# Posted on June 20th 2009 by tnoumarap
Re: banjo tone
If you don't allready have clear mylar head, you might try that, also two footed bridge might help.
# Posted on June 20th 2009 by vega
Re: banjo tone
Plecs can have a subtle effect as well - I find I get a brighter tone with the Clayton .50mm plecs and a softer, less bright tone with the Jim Dunlop .60mm nylon ones.
# Posted on June 20th 2009 by triplet upstairs
Re: banjo tone
I found Yellow board member mikeyes' site very interesting and helpful:
http://www.mikekeyes.com/tune-upyourbanjo
# Posted on June 20th 2009 by Lurcherjohn
Re: banjo tone
Pick, right hand position relative to the bridge, head tension, string gauge are all mentioned above and are all easy to try out.
Bridge type, weight etc takes a little time to experiment with but if you buy spares to mess with you can always go back to the one you started with.
The one thing I find most people miss is the tail piece angle. When it gets slack the sound gets muddier (less defined).
Head type: thinner the better
Archtop tone ring is the business for that cutting sound but needs a matching rim so usually means a new banjo.
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Solidmahog
Re: banjo tone
1. Change the head. The newer smooth heads will give a brighter tone. This is the most effective.
2. Use nickel wound strings instead of bronze. They're brighter.
3. As "triplet upstairs" said the pick will make a difference. I too use the clayton .50mm
Tons of info on mike keyes website.
If you're near Galway call into Tom Cussen at Clareen Banjos he'll put you right straight away.
Enda
# Posted on June 21st 2009 by Enda Scahill
Re: banjo tone
I use these strings on a 1920's vintage Paramount.
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/PF210.htm
They have a "brighter" tone to them and they are light. Even the medium gauge are light.
I also have a goatskin head. It makes a huge difference. I agree that the tensioning of the head makes a huge difference. Especially in rainey or humid conditions.
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by Micheál