Rollingwolf - Posted - 10/13/2009:  10:39:45

---

I have a mahogany banjo with factory floor rim and Crowe ring
I'm still dialing in the set up as it settles, and thought I'd look to the community for advice.
Mostly I'm interested in bridge recommendations, as I'm not entirely happy with the bridge I have. Mostly on the third string. (as I posted recently)

Thanks,
Matthew

www.frankenpinemusic.com

drwt1 - Posted - 10/13/2009:  10:45:47

---

I would recommend a Sullivan Old Factory Floor bridge...made from the same wood as your rim....I have one and it's a great bridge, at least for me...

Rollingwolf - Posted - 10/13/2009:  10:50:34

---

I did, but it's too bright for my taste with the FF rim.
I need something a little heavier to tame the beast.




www.frankenpinemusic.com

RB11 Player - Posted - 10/13/2009:  10:59:48

---

I had a hard time dialing my the banjo in with the same combination. The banjo was loud and bright. I ended up with an old fat grover bridge with medium strings. The FF rim had a good sound, it wasn't for me.

Rollingwolf - Posted - 10/13/2009:  11:12:52

---

I like the powerful pot, and when I first got it was perfect, but lately I've had issues with my third and forth strings. I realized the the slots in my Stelling Bridge were way too wide, causing some buzzing and loss of tone.
I tried the Snuffy and Sullivan bridges I had lying around, and they fixed the evenness but were way too bright and busy sounding.




www.frankenpinemusic.com

mikej - Posted - 10/13/2009:  13:37:43

---

Wadsworth bridges are popular with the FF rim for bridge recommendations. You may have to look in other areas to tame the brightness though, but the Wadsworth bridge is likely the quickest and not too costly

jbalch - Posted - 10/13/2009:  14:29:32

---

I've tried a few bridges on my Williams OFF/ Burlile combo. I like a Wadsworth best of all. It is the bridge that Will supplied with the banjo.

I think Gary Sosebee's new "bowling-alley ball-rack" bridges are mighty fine too. They have a nice woody tone that is not too bright.

Good luck!


www.johnbalchmusic.com
www.myspace.com/johnbalch

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 10/13/2009:  21:09:33

---

???brightness shouldn't be a problem with that banjo.. Unless the head is far too tight.. Never heard of a Snuffy being accused of being too bright.. It should be the one for your banjo..

Put the Snuffy back on, take your bracket wrench (key) and going in a circle loosen each bracket individually until you feel it release, then just quickly with two finger pressure spin it back (tighten) until you feel it bottom.. thats tight enuff...
Then see how you like the sound..!!

KL

chickenpickin - Posted - 10/14/2009:  10:30:30

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kenneth Logsdon

???brightness shouldn't be a problem with that banjo.. Unless the head is far too tight.. Never heard of a Snuffy being accused of being too bright.. It should be the one for your banjo..

Put the Snuffy back on, take your bracket wrench (key) and going in a circle loosen each bracket individually until you feel it release, then just quickly with two finger pressure spin it back (tighten) until you feel it bottom.. thats tight enuff...
Then see how you like the sound..!!

KL

---

I have to agree with Kenneth. Snuffy's are usually on the thick side and I don't associate them with being too bright. I do have one Snuffy that has more sustain than my Scorpion (my favorite). Snuffy's are good bridges and usually work well on most banjos. It sounds like you might have some unwanted overtones. It could also be possible that the head has gotten a tad loose or you could lower the tailpiece a fraction.

Tim


Happy Pickin' from the Chicken

pearcemusic - Posted - 10/14/2009:  10:38:58

---

I have a Tuttle Mahogany with an FF rim and a Thunderbolt proto ring ... from FQMS
I have a modified Wadsworth bridge ... 1" tall ...
AMBanjoCo head tuned to around a G#... Medium Stelling strings ... presto T/P

it has been settling for about a year ... seems to always sound good ... well balanced ... very powerful.

I just love the tone of that banjo.
It has been played on VERY hot humid outdoor gigs, and very dry and cool indoor and outdoor gigs ... almost coast to coast (US) ....

It's very stable ... consistent ...
it's the banjo I play in my vid clips if you are interested in hearing it.


The Pearce Family Bluegrass Band
www.pearcemusic.com

chickenpickin - Posted - 10/14/2009:  10:45:02

---

Matthew,
I just visited your bands website and you guys sound fantastic! Is that the same banjo on your recordings?

Tim


Happy Pickin' from the Chicken

Rollingwolf - Posted - 10/14/2009:  11:24:04

---

Thanks Tim.
No that's a Deering Sierra on the recordings, which I happen to be selling.

I guess I should have been more specific about the snuffy bridge. Bright isn't exactly the right criticism. It was more busy sounding, more overtones.
Admittedly I didn't give it time to settle, and I have adjusted the head tension to G#
I'm sure I would be happy with it after a few days. I'll probably try it again.

I put a Katz Eye bridge on it last night, which sounds great. It's brighter than the stelling bridge, but really even, clear, good depth and better intonation on this banjo. I'll play with that at our gig tonight.

Thanks.




www.frankenpinemusic.com