BobbyC. - Posted - 10/21/2009:  10:36:00

I know these pics are bad, I don't have my camera with me so I used my cell phone.

Notice the head up near the neck is recessed from the tension hoop:



Then back by the tailpiece, it's almost flush with the tension hoop:



Does this seem right? I bought it about 8 months ago and did tighten up the head a bit but I'm just noticing this. It's a Gold Tone BG250F.

Also, I don't have any experience with the straightline tailpiece, does this look setup correctly?

Edited by - BobbyC. on 10/21/2009 10:36:57

Bill Rogers - Posted - 10/21/2009:  10:42:11

It's just tightened unevenly. You can redo that, but that particular head's probably stretched to accommodate it. I wouldn't let it worry me if the banjo's playing and sounding ok, and you're otherwise not planning to change the head. One of my banjos that I play regularly has no cut-out place in the tension hoop for the strings to cross over to the neck, so I have the hoop cranked way low at the neck,and higher on tailpiece end. So it's at an angle compared to the plane of the head. Never been a problem.

Bill

justryin2play - Posted - 10/21/2009:  11:34:38

Like Bill said, the head don't care as long as the tension is even all around.

Not cosmetically pleasing, but if it sounds good, play on.

BobbyC. - Posted - 10/21/2009:  12:01:43

Thanks guys, it's playing fine so I'm good with it.

What do you think about the tailpiece? Should it be tilted more?
I'm not sure what the best way to set it up is and suprisingly, I can't find a lot of detailed info on it.
I've tried different ways but none really made a lot of difference, I'm just curious what is considered the correct way to set it up.

Edthebanjo - Posted - 10/21/2009:  12:30:02

What head is on it?


What has 10 legs, 3 teeth, and no hair?
A bluegrass band!

MitchellB - Posted - 10/21/2009:  12:50:30

Personally I would raise the tailpiece up till it was either parallel to the head or pointed toward the bridge to allow the head to vibrate more, but many people prefer the tighter sound with the tailpiece crank down close to the head.

Mitchell

BobbyC. - Posted - 10/21/2009:  13:28:19

Ed, I believe it's a Remo Frosted, it's factory, the tailpiece is covering the logo though.

Mitchell, I've noticed a few like you describe lately and I'm going to try it tonight. I likr the crack I'm getting but I'm thinking it may add a little low end to it. Just got a Sosebee Submerged Bridge and really love it.

Thanks to everyone.