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Dan N - Posted - 10/14/2009: 05:48:54
"A wolf tone, or simply a "wolf", is produced when a played note matches the natural resonating frequency of the body of a musical instrument, producing a sustaining sympathetic artificial overtone that amplifies and expands the frequencies of the original note, frequently accompanied by an oscillating beating (due to the uneven frequencies between the natural note and artificial overtone) which may be likened to the howling of the animal." -- wikipedia
I was getting a "wolf tone" on the second string open after I changed to an elite amber head from a frosted 5-star. I tried lots of things for damping but it tended to make all strings sound dead. Finally I tried loosely rolling a 4 inch long piece of light weight suede deerskin and lightly tucking it under the armrest. That leaves a lively amount of resonance while cutting the wolf tone. I got the idea after reading this topic.
Basic Strum - Posted - 10/14/2009: 07:50:41
I understand the impatience that some people have with their friends who acquire highly crafted acoustic instruments and then stuff them full of socks. But that doesn't make it wrong -- any banjo can be considered a platform to be modified to suit the preferences of the people who play it.
In any event, I prefer to think of this as fine-tuning the head, and my preferred medium for doing that is thin camera-case foam, cut into 2" squares and attached to the underside of the head with thin, double-sided carpet tape. You can tinker with the number and placement of them and affect incremental change in the process.
By the way, to Pastor Harry's and Ed's point differentiating what we actually hear and what we think we hear, I got to know several audio engineers very well in my long career in advertising and communications, and all of them had stories to share in which they placated ad agency producers and client ad managers by changing nothing in response to their demands for EQ changes, level changes and the like. Turn the dial to the right, turn it back left where it was, and more often than not, the agency guys loved the result.
Bill
"He don't say much, but when he does ... he don't say much." Jack E. Leonard
banjo bill-e - Posted - 10/14/2009: 09:18:05
---"they placated ad agency producers and client ad managers by changing nothing in response to their demands for EQ changes, level changes and the like. Turn the dial to the right, turn it back left where it was, and more often than not, the agency guys loved the result."
Ha! I know a recording engineer who had a few impressive looking pieces of gear in the studio that were not patched into the signal path, effectively just boxes with lights and dials. He used these to appease know-nothing producers who felt that the recorded tracks "needed a little something extra". He gave them a dose of flashing lights and bouncing needle gauges---even let them adjust the knobs--and they loved the results!
------------------
Bill
I'm trying for that "ragged, but right" sound. I'm half way there!
trapdoor2 - Posted - 10/14/2009: 11:14:42
Being a Southern Boy, I'm required to use a Red Rag (RR)...should I choose to stuff (which I do). However, I have found that certain banjo types, heads and/or combinations thereof do not require stuffing.
Generically, heavier calfskin and fiberskyn do not require stuffing...esp. in designs which have no additional acoustic enhancements (ie, tone rings). Lighter, vellum-processed skins sometimes do need the help of an RR. Regardless of head type, always stuff an S.S. Stewart...if only to cause the sainted Mr. Stewart to spin a bit faster in his grave.
Dobson style tone rings rarely require stuffing...unless some $%^&! has mounted a clear or black mylar head and cranked it down. In that case, the RR is most effective when stuffed into the Banjoist.
Tubaphone and WL tone rings almost always require the help of a RR, certainly if one is playing in intimate surroundings, say, in the shower.
Bacon FF banjos do not require RR stuffing. In this case, the RR is used as a buffer between the banjo and one's tummy. It is well documented that Bacon FF banjos attract beautiful, young, nubile IR groupies. After a strenuous playing session it is usual to pull up one's shirt to wipe the sweat from one's brow. Showing off a six-pack covered in flying worm impressions is a social faux pas of the first order.
Remember: Always carry a Red Rag. You may never know when an emergency stuffing is required!
===Marc
"If banjos needed tone rings, S.S. Stewart would have made them that way."
Pluckin Mutha - Posted - 10/14/2009: 15:01:53
When I responded to this topic early on, I never suspected it would have the legs it has grown.
There are a few points I did not make at that time:
1 - I never stuffed when I was performing, only while practicing at home to avoid disturbing the rest of the household.
Even now, I keep two of my banjos beside me while we watch TV. If the action is slow, I'll pick one up and bang out a tune. If I glance over and see that my wife is dozing, be more exhuberant in my playing.
2 - Regarding altering highly crafted, and finely tuned instruments: Anything one does will affect the tone and volume of an instrument - ie - pressing it against a large belly, or grabbing it with big chubby meathooks; and where you play, whether near the neck or near the bridge.
3 - Don't make lists
Mutha
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 10/14/2009: 15:29:07
Having worked in several music stores - most with at least one foot in the "vintage" market, I am well aware of the Nigel Tuffnal type collector. I absolutely KNOW that a 30 year old hang tag, that has sat in an ES335 case since 1964 makes the instrument sound 1000.% better than a similar guitar orphaned from the hang tag - it has gotta have a handwritten price on it though, or the guitar will still sound like a couple hungry foxes in the chicken coop.
If only the instrument buying public understood, they would never remove the tags from the instrument in the first place. And never remove the instrument from the stand either. I just wished they wouldn't remove the instrument from the music store walls, crank the Marshall up to 10.74 (any louder might seem impolite) and give me a peaceful half hour of "Smoke On The Water".
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
oldthymedragon - Posted - 10/15/2009: 15:11:17
quote:
Originally posted by Rob MacKillop
>>> I've tried ... a stuffed animal<<<
I hope you mean a toy animal???
Rob
www.ClassicBanjoRM.com
ROFL--yes, it was a stuffed animal--though the macaw has occasionally tried to hide in there.
oldthymedragon - Posted - 10/15/2009: 15:19:41
quote:
Originally posted by Pluckin Mutha
Since I recently changed to "Nylgut" strings, I no longer use the mute
Mutha
What do you think of the Nylgut strings?
oldthymedragon - Posted - 10/15/2009: 15:26:09
Started a firestorm of stuffin opinions! Shoulda known--as many opinions as there are pickers. :D To muddy the waters a bit, I'm playing on a Stew Mac kit banjo that I put together about 20 years ago. The kit was originally set up to be a bluegrass banjo with a resonator--never did bother finishing that part as I wanted an open back. The pot is pretty thick and the banjo tends to be on the quiet side. I've tried a variety of heads on this banjo and have finally settled on a goat skin head. I'm not trying to mute the banjo--I'm more interested in dampening some of the harmonics that this particular banjo has when un-stuffed. I can see now that I've just scratched the surface in the art of stuffin. Thanks ya'll--lots of food for thought.
oldthymedragon - Posted - 10/15/2009: 15:27:15
quote:
Originally posted by KE
Actually the fifth is a gourd and it's possibly stuffed with seeds and insects. 
That has some added potential for extra percussion. 
oldthymedragon - Posted - 10/15/2009: 15:34:55
quote:
Originally posted by mrphysics55
quote:
I would like to find something that looks a bit more elegant, but tone rules above all.
Behold!
.
.
MrP
Beautiful work! Is this your own design?
Pluckin Mutha - Posted - 10/15/2009: 15:55:59
quote:
Originally posted by oldthymedragon
quote:
Originally posted by Pluckin Mutha
Since I recently changed to "Nylgut" strings, I no longer use the mute
Mutha
What do you think of the Nylgut strings?
I like them.They are easier on the fingernails too. The main thing is that they stretch like crazy when you put them on. You have to tighten, and tune for an hour or so when you first install them. Also recheck your bridge position. After that you have to do a lot of tuning for about two weeks. Beyond that, they hold their tune, for the most part for days on end. Mutha
moz1527 - Posted - 10/17/2009: 07:45:49
I have a Cloverlick Pineywoods that Jeff Kramer put his heart and soul into and it came fitted with a fat vintage wine cork trimmed to fit under the dowel rod. Each end is covered with felt and it slides nicely along the dowel rod. Not much muting but some tonal effect. It is unobstrusive, classy, and original equipment!
My older whyte laydie (c. 1913) came with a wad of sheepskin (wool included). Don't know if it is original equipment or not.
Bob
Easy Come Easy Go
gdtrfb24 - Posted - 10/19/2009: 16:47:05
Ok, I admit it, I'm a stuffer. I've tried to quit for years but to no avail. I've even tried the patch, but that didn't work was well.
I use a crew sock rolled up and stuffed under the bridge on both banjos.
pastorharry - Posted - 10/19/2009: 20:27:30
quote:
Originally posted by moz1527
I have a Cloverlick Pineywoods that Jeff Kramer put his heart and soul into and it came fitted with a fat vintage wine cork trimmed to fit under the dowel rod. Each end is covered with felt and it slides nicely along the dowel rod. Not much muting but some tonal effect. It is unobstrusive, classy, and original equipment!
My older whyte laydie (c. 1913) came with a wad of sheepskin (wool included). Don't know if it is original equipment or not.
Bob
Easy Come Easy Go
Well , a few years back I put out the request for a rattlesnake rattle,(got one)....now I guess I'll have to put out the call for a "fat vintage wine cork" to complete my "old timey" setups!!
Bateaux - Posted - 10/29/2009: 18:27:52
I've tried stuffing the banjo, but I still manage to get complaints. Either I'm not doing it right or my family have extremely sensitive ears. I've been using towels or tshirts, I'm gonna try out some foam next time.
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