|
Post by bellyshere on Jan 29, 2024 11:38:49 GMT
Well I’ve had my banjo for a couple of months now. They aren’t half a pain to keep in tune. As for setting the intonation. It’s a real pain. It’s just a Deering good time. Any experience with these? Bridge looks fairly basic. Would an upgrade to that help with tuning issues?
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 33,953
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Jan 29, 2024 12:11:36 GMT
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,881
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Jan 29, 2024 17:20:07 GMT
Goodtimes are good quality, basic banjos. Much better than most other entry level instruments you can buy. Another bridge could well help with intonation issues, but probably not affecting tuning much. More likely tightening the machine head screws or replacing the tuners might help with that. Bear in mind that the phrase “that’ll do” was invented while trying to tune a banjo Close enough is often good enough, but yeah experimenting with a better bridge can do no harm. New strings might help with tuning issues too, although on a banjo that might be considered sacrilege.
|
|
|
Post by bellyshere on Jan 29, 2024 20:12:39 GMT
It’s more intonation that is annoying me now. I think the banjo needs a rethink as an instrument (0: Can I not glue the bridge in place so it doesn’t move when I set the intonation? (0:
|
|
juliant
C.O.G.
Posts: 331
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
|
Post by juliant on Jan 29, 2024 20:30:32 GMT
It’s more intonation that is annoying me now. I think the banjo needs a rethink as an instrument (0: Can I not glue the bridge in place so it doesn’t move when I set the intonation? (0: Oh dear... just never try working with a lute.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,881
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Jan 30, 2024 7:18:45 GMT
|
|
|
Post by dreadnought28 on Jan 31, 2024 7:03:54 GMT
It’s usually just a case of tweaking the position of the bridge to get the best intonation even if it’s not perfect. Goodtime banjos from Deering are pretty good for the money. How is the head tension? It may need adjustment. And, changing strings can make a noticeable difference. This is very helpful: www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/banjo-care-and-maintenance-guide/
|
|
|
Post by bellyshere on Jan 31, 2024 11:00:08 GMT
I might try getting it setup as I’ve no idea if the head tension is wrong.
|
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,053
My main instrument is: Brook Lyn guitar
|
Post by brianr2 on Jan 31, 2024 11:46:40 GMT
This is very interesting. Please can you expand on the benefits of a compensated bridge and how it achieves them? I have not noticed any tuning/intonation issues with my b**** but that could well be my failing faculties. Do compensated bridges work as well with nylon strings and, if so, is there any particular model you would recommend? I have read that a “two-footed” bridge suits nylon best but I have yet to try.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,881
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Jan 31, 2024 12:28:20 GMT
Well, not being a scientist (or qualified in anything remotely technical), I do 'drink the cool-aid' of my fellow banjo sufferers, and while not believing what they say wholesale, I do tend to adopt the more accepted practices of our dark and arcane 'art-form'.
Which is to say, I have plagiarised the following information which I feel makes a fair bit if sense, and can do no harm to adopt...
|
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,053
My main instrument is: Brook Lyn guitar
|
Post by brianr2 on Jan 31, 2024 12:52:16 GMT
Thanks Sensei Martin, very interesting. However, you have now introduced me to the “moon bridge”. At first sight, this may have some advantages over a compensated bridge. Is this right? Have you ever you one?
Brian
|
|
|
Post by Matt Milton on Jan 31, 2024 13:04:30 GMT
Get a setup with a luthier. Despite all the jokes about banjos, in my experience they are usually fairly easy to tune - even the cheap ones - and that since the advent of laser cutting and computer design even the bog-standard factory banjos are in good shape. An openback is essentially a very simple instrument. So I'd say maybe you've got a rare example of a Deering that might have slipped through their quality control department on a bad day. But the only way to know is to take it to a luthier. Part of the fun of playing the banjo is to slip into different tunings for different songs - you need your instrument to be easy to tune.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,881
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Jan 31, 2024 15:55:14 GMT
Thanks Sensei Martin, very interesting. However, you have now introduced me to the “moon bridge”. At first sight, this may have some advantages over a compensated bridge. Is this right? Have you ever you one? Brian I think the Moon bridge will help with some intonation issues, but may introduce some of its own. Overall it's considered better than a straight bridge. I just think they look cool and yes I've had and used a couple. I like them and I'm currently using a curved bridge made by Leon Ballard in the UK.
|
|
|
Post by bellyshere on Jan 31, 2024 22:33:33 GMT
It’s going to pay a visit to a man who knows for a setup.
|
|
|
Post by dreadnought28 on Feb 1, 2024 6:46:31 GMT
|
|