NINJO - Posted - 11/09/2009:  16:05:37

So does putting something in the sound chamber change the sound of the banjo?

The best picker is the one having the most fun.

airborne - Posted - 11/09/2009:  16:26:13

I was thinking the same thing last week, i was going to put a fishman in my GDL but wasn't sure about the sound, and i mostly play accoustic. so i changed my mind.

Cornflake - Posted - 11/09/2009:  16:39:25

Argh. This is a timely topic for me. I used to have a K and K in mine. Now I have a Schatten pickup. Even though the Schatten info says it won't change the sound of the banjo, my banjo DOES sound different. It's not much different, but just enough to have me thinking, "I want the full sound of my banjo back." I now think that any pickup which has some kind of contact with the head is going to change the sound. I'm either giving up on pickups or finding one that doesn't have a part touching the head. Any suggestions?


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The opposite of a profound truth may well be another truth.
Neils Bohr

steve davis - Posted - 11/09/2009:  16:43:23

I can't tell any difference whether my Jones pickup is mounted or not.
I just leave them in all the time with the little piece of a .0015 feeler gauge
blade under the middle foot of the bridge.

Ready to plug in at all times.

No difference acoustically.I've been using the Jones since '86.

Edited by - steve davis on 11/09/2009 16:44:51

1four5 - Posted - 11/09/2009:  17:18:39

The instructions for my SMP (Gold Tone) Pick up has you add shims until it's lightly touching the underside of the head. That did change the sound, regardless what they say. I removed the shims, putting it about 1/16" (gap) below the head. Still works as advertised, no effect on acoustic sound.

Dean

fixdent - Posted - 11/09/2009:  17:53:07

My Fishman has a slight gap between the head, and it does not change the sound at all...

--
Gordon

fynger - Posted - 11/10/2009:  02:29:52

It will if you turn the amp up.

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Have you hugged your Banjo today ?

goldtopia - Posted - 11/10/2009:  02:55:34

Only if you switch it on.

Bill.O

www.bluegrassminstrels.co.uk

mybote - Posted - 11/10/2009:  07:26:55

I use a Fishman rare earth pickup. It does not touch the head. I can't hear any difference in sound with it being in the sound chamber.

budbennett - Posted - 11/10/2009:  08:51:17

i recently removed my fishman rare earth pickup that i used for a long time and didn't notice any sound difference from when it was in to when it was out- i was curious about that too though.