david64 - Posted - 03/18/2009:  15:08:10

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For a beginner banjo I bought a Mastercraft Bluegrass All Maple and what little I know about them, at this point, it seems okay.
My question is what if any upgrades, like new tailpiece, new bridge etc., would any of you suggest?
Any suggestions would be helpful.

beegee - Posted - 03/18/2009:  15:25:55

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A good bridge and a good head will help more than anything. This looks like a Samick-made banjo. My experience with these is that you need to get the head really tight before it starts to sound out. A tailpiece may help, but the stock tailpiece may be OK. I'd probably opt for one where the strings are easier to change.

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

xnavyguy - Posted - 03/18/2009:  15:40:52

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David,
As a relatively new person to the banjo world and someone who is just learning to play, my suggestion would be that you do nothing to your banjo at this time other than make sure to keep it set up so that you can play it. At the same time, you can read the many threads on this forum about banjo setup and try to get an understanding of how to keep it set up and what factors and changes there are that can affect the way it sounds. Your banjo has all the elements that should make it a fine banjo, if it is properly set up, without changing any of the components. It is my opinion that too many of us chase too many rabbits thinking this component or that widgit is going to help make our banjos sound better when the real need is a proper setup and proper playing technique that is needed.

Jerry

"The only security you will ever have is in your ability to perform."

fitch5string - Posted - 03/18/2009:  15:50:43

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A good bridge is all you need.

FITCH BANJOS
www.FitchBanjos.com
Hand-Crafted Professional Banjos
Banjo Repair-Setup-Restoration
Authorized Recording King Dealer

1four5 - Posted - 03/18/2009:  16:39:25

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I would like to second xnavyguy in a BIG way. In my first year or so of banjo playing, I wasted a LOT of $$$ on tailpieces, bridges and strings... and even whole banjos... because I didn't FULLY understand set up. I didn't realize that a tailpiece touching the top of the tension hoop deadens sound and kills lows. I didn't realize that 1/8 of a turn on the hook nuts (head tension) can destroy or bring out your sound in a big way. I especially didn't think messing with co-rods to get lower action could turn a $4,500 banjo into something that sounded like a sick ukulele. I had no idea that a good set up on a Deering Goodtime could have it sounding better than a poor set up on a banjo worth 12 times more. When I started I threw bridges to no end, at a banjo that needed higher head tension. I scratched my head when the $100+ state of the art tailpiece didn't improve my sound. etc...etc...etc...etc...etc.

learn as much as you can about what you've got. Don't change a thing until you know all the adjustments, and understand what they do. Then after that, Fitch is right, a good bridge with proper set up will get the most out of your banjo.

Dean

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Edited by - 1four5 on 03/18/2009 16:47:01

david64 - Posted - 03/19/2009:  15:20:09

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Gentlemen thank ya'll for all of your helpful advice.

beegee - Posted - 03/20/2009:  12:36:20

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quote:

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Originally posted by fitch5string

A good bridge is all you need.

FITCH BANJOS

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Assuming it comes with a Remo head....

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

Bradskey - Posted - 03/20/2009:  12:56:51

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Only seen pics of them but they all appear to come with Remo heads (they're not hiding the logo under the tailpiece). None of them look like the kind of banjo I would do ANYTHING to other than a bridge and maybe tightening the head if needed.