Th oblong metal tailpiece behind the bridge that the strings go under is pushing the strings almost on to the skin.I haven't had the banjo for long and I don't know much about them.Is this right?There are two screws on the side.What would happen if I loosened them and raised it a little?
The tailpiece has some effect on how the banjo sounds (I rate the tailpiece itself as number five on my list of factors that effect the sound, in descending order of course) but the angle of the strings as they come off the bridge towards the tailpiece is more important (number four on the list.)
There are numerous styles of tailpieces. The Irish makers tend to prefer the Oettinger style of tailpiece which has individual fingers, one for each string, that can be used to change the angle of each string off of the bridge. I prefer these on my banjos too but there are plenty of good adjustable tailpieces out there.
According to most books, the string angle should be about 12-15 degrees and in my experience that is usually right for most banjos.
The weight, style, and material of each tailpiece has a subtle effect on the sound but you have to make sure that you set the other factors (in descending order: type of head, head tension, bridge, tailpiece angle, *type of tailpiece*, and strings - and pick if you are"picky") before you make a decision about the tailpiece. And if you decide to change the tailpiece, you will need to setup your banjo all over again to make sure you get the best sound.
Dafydd, it's okay if the strings are close to the head as long as they aren't touching or causing any buzzes.
Some tailpieces (mine included) have a bolt on the back that you tighten to push the tailpiece closer to the head or loosen to ease the tailpiece up off the head. Not sure how that adjustment is made on your particular tailpiece.
In general, there's a sweet spot for setting the angle of the tailpiece, which depends on other factors--head tension, string gauge, bridge height and placement, etc. Raise the tailpiece too high and the tone gets unfocused, down too tight and the tone goes tight as well. Going too far either direction can reduce the volume.
No harm in experimenting, as long as you understand how to get the tailpiece back to the sweet spot.
The banjo sounds alright.I was just curious.The tailpiece is fiited to a hinge with two screws to raise or lower it.I assume that it would be sensible to loosen the strings before attempting any adjustments.Thanks for the help.
You don't have to loosen the strings to move the tailpiece, the changes in tension are not that much. What Will said is right on the money as there is a certain point at which the tailpiece angle is optimal and the only way to find it is to change the angle while you are tuned to standard. Once you change the angle you will probably have to retune a little, but just to get back in tune.
Most banjos I've dealt with sounded better with the tailpiece closer to the head than raised up from it.
Of course, where you find the sweet spot also depends (a lot) on what sound you're after--what sounds "sweet" to *you.*
Compared to guitars, mandolins, and fiddle, banjos are more like an Erector set--lots of nuts and bolts to tinker with. Some people go overboard--they spend more time tinkering with the mechanics than actually playing the thing. But a little tinkering can lead to better understanding of how the parts make a musical whole, and how to get the best sound and playability out of it.
Banjo question
Banjo question
Th oblong metal tailpiece behind the bridge that the strings go under is pushing the strings almost on to the skin.I haven't had the banjo for long and I don't know much about them.Is this right?There are two screws on the side.What would happen if I loosened them and raised it a little?
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by dafydd
Re: Banjo question
The tailpiece has some effect on how the banjo sounds (I rate the tailpiece itself as number five on my list of factors that effect the sound, in descending order of course) but the angle of the strings as they come off the bridge towards the tailpiece is more important (number four on the list.)
There are numerous styles of tailpieces. The Irish makers tend to prefer the Oettinger style of tailpiece which has individual fingers, one for each string, that can be used to change the angle of each string off of the bridge. I prefer these on my banjos too but there are plenty of good adjustable tailpieces out there.
According to most books, the string angle should be about 12-15 degrees and in my experience that is usually right for most banjos.
The weight, style, and material of each tailpiece has a subtle effect on the sound but you have to make sure that you set the other factors (in descending order: type of head, head tension, bridge, tailpiece angle, *type of tailpiece*, and strings - and pick if you are"picky") before you make a decision about the tailpiece. And if you decide to change the tailpiece, you will need to setup your banjo all over again to make sure you get the best sound.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/oct05/interview.html
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by mikeyes
Re: Banjo question
Thanks for the reply.I'm not intending to change the tailpiece,I was just wondering what would happen if I loosened the screws and raised it a little.
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by dafydd
Re: Banjo question
Dafydd, it's okay if the strings are close to the head as long as they aren't touching or causing any buzzes.
Some tailpieces (mine included) have a bolt on the back that you tighten to push the tailpiece closer to the head or loosen to ease the tailpiece up off the head. Not sure how that adjustment is made on your particular tailpiece.
In general, there's a sweet spot for setting the angle of the tailpiece, which depends on other factors--head tension, string gauge, bridge height and placement, etc. Raise the tailpiece too high and the tone gets unfocused, down too tight and the tone goes tight as well. Going too far either direction can reduce the volume.
No harm in experimenting, as long as you understand how to get the tailpiece back to the sweet spot.
# Posted on November 17th 2005 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: Banjo question
The banjo sounds alright.I was just curious.The tailpiece is fiited to a hinge with two screws to raise or lower it.I assume that it would be sensible to loosen the strings before attempting any adjustments.Thanks for the help.
# Posted on November 18th 2005 by dafydd
Re: Banjo question
Dafydd,
You don't have to loosen the strings to move the tailpiece, the changes in tension are not that much. What Will said is right on the money as there is a certain point at which the tailpiece angle is optimal and the only way to find it is to change the angle while you are tuned to standard. Once you change the angle you will probably have to retune a little, but just to get back in tune.
MIke Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/oct05/interview.html
# Posted on November 18th 2005 by mikeyes
Re: Banjo question
Most banjos I've dealt with sounded better with the tailpiece closer to the head than raised up from it.
Of course, where you find the sweet spot also depends (a lot) on what sound you're after--what sounds "sweet" to *you.*
Compared to guitars, mandolins, and fiddle, banjos are more like an Erector set--lots of nuts and bolts to tinker with. Some people go overboard--they spend more time tinkering with the mechanics than actually playing the thing. But a little tinkering can lead to better understanding of how the parts make a musical whole, and how to get the best sound and playability out of it.
# Posted on November 18th 2005 by Miss Lonelyhearts