[lespaul59]

Ok I have a few questions about the banjo. My nephew is wanting to learn and wants a bluegrass tone but the one he uses is real twangy almost like something isn't setup right how can this be corrected. And I noticed that Martin has two different types(bluegrass and vega I believe thats right) what type should he use toget closer to what he wants? I believe his banjo just need to be took to a shop and be set up but me and my dad are gonna be out of town so if we take it now he wont get it back for another two weeks so I would like to help him out as much as I can so he doesn't have to slow down learning when he's picking up on it really fast(or fast to my non banjo playing self). Thanks for any help.

[LWatford]

Old question I know...

For bluegrass Scruggs style playing, you want a five string closed back banjo. And as strange as it sounds, I'm finding that a heavy instrument sounds better than a light one (or maybe it's just a sign of quality). The head should be tensioned pretty tight, and new strings don't hurt. And it's just a twangy instrument, esp. if you use metal finger and thumb picks. You can warm it up by playing with your bare fingers and closer to the neck.

Originally Posted by lespaul59

Ok I have a few questions about the banjo. My nephew is wanting to learn and wants a bluegrass tone but the one he uses is real twangy almost like something isn't setup right how can this be corrected. And I noticed that Martin has two different types(bluegrass and vega I believe thats right) what type should he use toget closer to what he wants? I believe his banjo just need to be took to a shop and be set up but me and my dad are gonna be out of town so if we take it now he wont get it back for another two weeks so I would like to help him out as much as I can so he doesn't have to slow down learning when he's picking up on it really fast(or fast to my non banjo playing self). Thanks for any help.

[mandowarrior]

Better closed back banjos also have a metal tone ring inside the resonator to give a louder, more sustained tone. The whole purpose of the resonator is to act like a speaker, projecting the sound forward - an open back banjo give a more mountain folk sound than traditional bluegrass. For less twang, you may want to try plastic fingerpicks, although I've never liked how thick they are. As for strings, I've always been happy with Dean Markley mediums.

[dhoenisch]

There is a lot that goes into the sound of a banjo. The Tone ring is a big factor, though my first banjo didn't have one, and it sounded fine, but compared to the one I have now, boy, I tell you what. Anyhow, my current banjo was really twangy on the fifth string, way more than is should have been. I purchased a new bridge, and it greatly improved the sound and volume, but the twang was still there on the fifth string. I tightened the head, and the string was equal with the others.

Also, factory strings are usually bad, so it wouldn't hurt to replace them. I use D'Addario Lights, and my banjo sounds great witht them. Hopefully you'll be able to get that banjo sounding the way you want it to.

Dan

[~FreT~]

Originally Posted by dhoenisch

There is a lot that goes into the sound of a banjo. The Tone ring is a big factor, though my first banjo didn't have one, and it sounded fine, but compared to the one I have now, boy, I tell you what. Anyhow, my current banjo was really twangy on the fifth string, way more than is should have been. I purchased a new bridge, and it greatly improved the sound and volume, but the twang was still there on the fifth string. I tightened the head, and the string was equal with the others.

Also, factory strings are usually bad, so it wouldn't hurt to replace them. I use D'Addario Lights, and my banjo sounds great witht them. Hopefully you'll be able to get that banjo sounding the way you want it to.

Dan

Ahem. The first poster, lespaul59, who "needs answers to your questions", posted in February of 2005. Clopse!