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coreyowen - Posted - 09/16/2009: 12:17:58
Hi,
I currently play regularly with a mandolin player, acoustic bass player, guitar player, and bluegrass banjo player. I have an excellent banjo: a Chuck Lee Marble Falls with a tubaphone tone ring and a 12" pot. It holds its own very well in this group, but I'd like something with a little more volume on the high end, so it can cut through the other instruments just a little better. I realise that I may have to sacrifice the warmth that I love in this 12" pot to find this.
I'm wondering: those of you who play in similar situations, what kind of banjo do you find works best? I have a Gold Star GF-85 that I use sometimes, but, of course, it sounds a little on the thin side when used for clawhammer (especially when compared to the full, rich sound of my 12" tubaphone!).
Thanks for any thoughts!!
Corey
banjered - Posted - 09/16/2009: 12:32:27
I would have suggested a tubaphone to solve your problem. What kind of a head does it have. A Renaissance head cranked down pretty tight should work. Try a lighter/heavier bridge too. You should have a cannon in that type of banjo. TC
coreyowen - Posted - 09/16/2009: 12:35:44
It does indeed have a Renaissance head and the tension is quite high. I have also put a light Moon bridge on it. It is definitely a loud banjo, and tends to be heard fine in a jam; I'm just wondering if there is something that would give a little more in the treble range.
jbalch - Posted - 09/16/2009: 12:40:12
I can't imagine an open back much louder than a 12" tubaphone. I agree with Tom, set-up can help bring out the high-end. Have you considered adding a resonator to push the sound out front more? Gold Tone makes one for their 12" Bob Carlin banjo.
I have a 1929 Gibson TB-1 converted to 5-string (it has only a brass hoop ring). It is a very good string-band banjo. It has plenty of volume and projection. You might think about a resonator banjo with a simple brass hoop tone ring.
www.johnbalchmusic.com
www.myspace.com/johnbalch
Edited by - jbalch on 09/16/2009 12:46:35
Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/16/2009: 12:40:34
Get a resonator for it. Or make your own "spin-on" one, as on some of the old Vegas. It's just slightly convex and adds insignificantly to the depth of the banjo.
Bill
Ronnie - Posted - 09/16/2009: 12:40:48
Tubaphones usually speak with authority.Maybe a bit of set up would help.
I don't know if a 10 15/16" Boston Vega pot would be louder.
Geoff Stelling is known to build loud banjos. I hear there is a Stelling open back called the "Butterfly" I have never seen or played one.
www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com
guitdawg - Posted - 09/16/2009: 12:52:41
Another option, is to acquire a banjo with a Silver Spun tone ring. Might be the brightest tone ring in the open back world. Durn near a BG style sound. Loud, bright and punchy, especially in the upper registers.
I know Chuck Lee makes a model with this set up, as do the folks at Ome.
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"You make my words, I'm gonna get my grade ten!" - Ricky
Watch out where the huskies go...
~ guitdawg ~ Apple Latch Un = mountains ; Apple Layshun = drinks
Edited by - guitdawg on 09/16/2009 12:53:19
maxmax - Posted - 09/16/2009: 13:36:58
Or perhaps a metal finger pick would do the trick.
I'd love a TB/RB-1, I think they sound great. Also, these I guess are simular http://www.americanmadebanjo.com/pr...oducts_id=80 I've heard Brad Leftwich play his, and it sounds really nice!
Best,
Max
Edited by - maxmax on 09/16/2009 13:41:08
coreyowen - Posted - 09/16/2009: 14:39:48
Thank you all for your wonderful advice! Perhaps I'll look into a resonator.
Craig: Glad to hear about your Chautauqua! How's the lower end sound? For some reason, I imagine that tone ring sounding a bit like bluegrass banjo without a resonator--is that how it sounds?
Does it provide an equivalent to the brassy roar of the overpowered tubaphone? I absolutely love that sound!
George Flink - Posted - 09/16/2009: 15:30:46
Nobody has mentioned a Whytee Laydee tone ring on a 12 in. rim but I find that both very loud and still maintaing the depth. Brighter than a Tubaphone.
erstokke - Posted - 09/16/2009: 15:44:08
My 11" Ome Silverspun is loud but not loud enough to drown out a fiddler.
It doesnt sound like bluegrass banjo at all. But then it also has a Fiberskyn head, I havent tried a Renaissance on it yet.
You dont have to buy the most expensive Omes to get a Silverspun. They will custom build any banjo for a very small charge. Mine is a Jubilee - new it is around $2200 with a maple neck, laquer finish and a Silverspun tone ring.
You may listen to Ken Perlman for some Ome Silverspun sound:
http://www.amazon.com/Clawhammer-Ba...40922&sr=8-4
My banjo is pre-war. Pre the next war
Jan Erik from Norway
Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/16/2009: 15:45:02
The killer loud old-time banjo, but hard to come by, is the Essex Concert Grand/Special XX [Same banjo; different names.] It has Essex's version of the Electric (Whyte Laydie) tone ring, which is heavier than Fairbanks/Vega and a heavier bracket band. They're not cheap (if you can find one).
Bill
The Old Timer - Posted - 09/16/2009: 18:05:58
Stringbean had the LOUDEST clawhammered banjo I ever heard. Tubaphone with resonator! Too loud for true old time music though probably.
The Old Timer.
"Early Cuyler plays Gibson guitars."
Emiel - Posted - 09/17/2009: 04:12:42
quote:
Originally posted by coreyowen
I have a Gold Star GF-85 that I use sometimes, but, of course, it sounds a little on the thin side when used for clawhammer (especially when compared to the full, rich sound of my 12" tubaphone!).
Thanks for any thoughts!!
Corey
Have you tried a Renaissance or a Five-Star top-frosted head on your Goldstar? It will sound warmer then, also for clawhammer... Emiel http://www.flickr.com/photos/emieldk/http://www.bluerounders.com
Edited by - Emiel on 09/17/2009 04:13:05
Helix - Posted - 09/17/2009: 12:56:38
Corey, please take a look at the $350 rim changeout for your Goldstar here in my shop, then we can discuss your specs. That's a new rim installed price, you pay shipping. I have Ash, I have a Cherry/Ash Hybrid. I have Mahogany, Black Walnut and others for that price. We can discuss your Goldstar flange, you already have a great neck and hardware. As you may have seen, some of us are using magnetic mount resonators for all occasions. I also have a wonderful quilted curly Maple. Bridges of the same rim material are Soo possible. It sounds like you need something that rocks and knocks. It's a musician thing. You can always play softer, you need to be able to punch. I Think I can help.
(_)===='===::}
Edited by - Helix on 09/17/2009 12:58:25
coreyowen - Posted - 09/17/2009: 14:19:43
Thanks guys for more great suggestions!! I hadn't really though about changing the Goldstar; I find its current setup so good for bluegrass that I'd hate to change it. On the other hand, though, I don't play much bluegrass these days. I'm kind of thinking about the possibility of an 11" tubaphone with a removable resonator. Perhaps I could use it for both clawhammer and bluegrass! I've been listening to Grandpa Jones alot lately and am really captivated by the "brassy roar" he gets when he overpowers his banjo.
Thanks again everyone!!
maryzcox - Posted - 09/19/2009: 11:11:02
[Corey--I know exactly what you are talking about and a John Hartford #1 (22 fret) open back (don't even bother with the pop on resonator) will be perfect for you.
It has that woody sound--but great volume without being too bright. I even play it with an Afro/Caribbean drummer when he is playing several very loud drums at once and it holds its own with a very nice tone.
Nothing else sounds quite like it and I think you will be surprised and delighted. 
www.maryzcox.com
If you suspect you need a new banjo--you do. Trust your musical instincts. If a banjo calls to you to buy it, don't fight destiny. It was meant to be. :)
http://banjoquest.blogspot.com
Field videos of banjoists, banjos, tunes, and banjos in locations you may or may not have seen or heard before :)
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 09/19/2009: 17:04:28
Corey,
Whyte Laydies are known for their "ping". It is audible in the next state usually if you have the banjo set up for volume --- no simple tailpiece you gotta have downward pressure.
I didn't like my 10 15/16 Laydie - all ping no growl, but i never got the chance to pick up an 11 13/16. Those have both the ping and the growl.
My taste runs to woodies and brass rings now, but were I in the market for a banjo to complete in a loud and kick-it instrumental string band I would go for a WL with full Rickard hardware and a body by whomsoever is your favourite builder.
http://www.rocketsciencebanjo.com
Rocket Science Banjo - Advanced Clawhammer Techniques for beginners and long time players alike. Plus videos and 25-40 EZ Clawhammer Tunes.
& check out "How To Mold A Mighty Pinky" at:
http://www.pricklypearmusic.net
banjo brad's great banjo site
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