RUBY2 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  07:23:12

Hi All

I have been playing for about 6 months now (with a 2 month break in the middle due to ilness).

I am wondering if there is anything I should be changing/checking/tightening etc to keep my banjo on song so to speak?

Should I be for example be changing the strings as a matter of course every X amount of months?

Should I just leave it well alone unless I can tell something is amiss or do I need to keep on top of regular maintenance?

With thanks

Richard

minstrelmike - Posted - 11/14/2009:  07:52:04

Many folks change strings after 40 hours of playing. Others, such as Ralph Stanley, change them all after one breaks (I find they can last over a year).

You can try tightening the head if it feels loose. Press down on it by the bridge and if it goes down easily, try tightening. 1/8th turn all around. Leave everything tuned up and don't worry about moving in some sort of car lugnut pattern, just go around in a circle. You can split a head if you get it too tight.

I wouldn't do much other maintenance except for checking the bridge placement.

Mike Moxcey
moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/index.html

dpete210 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  08:49:46

Ruby2, head tightness and when to change strings is a matter of personal preference. Mike's advice is solid on the head tightness. The rule is to do things in small increments, one thing at a time. Some like a tighter head, some a looser one (or maybe better said, not as tight), so you will have to experiment to see what you like best. Turning 1/8 turns on each bracket nut as you go around the rim will tighten enough so you should notice a change when you play. If you keep track of how many times you make this 1/8 turn adjustment, you can always get back where you started if you do not like what you are hearing. When it no longer sounds better, then you know you are done. If after the last adjustment you made it gets worse, then you know to back off each bracket nut by a 1/8 turn. As a general rule, there should be a slight give in the head when you press down with your anchor finger(s) by the bridge, as Mike said. However, some tighten the head to the point where there is little noticeable give, thus testing fate with the banjo head's strength. I'd venture to say that many of us have had the experience at some time or other of tearing a banjo head as we were tightening one, perhaps early in our banjo playing days. We live and learn. Once a person has done that, it probably won't happen again unless the person likes a really really tight head and continues to "stretch to the limits." Then on the other hand, you may never tear one.

"When" to change strings. This question will get you all kinds of replies/opinions, and it just becomes confusing. Unfortunately there is little agreement on when, but there probably is agreement that there comes a point when they should be changed, especially if one or more of them breaks, because you have no choice. When depends on the environment of the banjo (humid, dry, etc), how oily the player's hands are (some have very acidic oils that will wreck strings in short order), and how much you play. Fortunately, banjo strings are not expensive so it is not a major deal to put new strings on. If you like the sound of new strings, you probably will be one who wants to change more often. If you like the sound of broken in strings, you may find you change them very infrequently. One thing I have found is that with the banjos I don't have to change as often as I do with my guitars. This is probably due to the fact that only one of the banjo strings is wound (4th string). Pay attention to how your banjo sounds and if you think it is beginning to sound dead, or the strings won't stay in tune, then it is probably time to change the strings. Good luck!

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

RUBY2 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  10:01:36

Cheers everyone for your advice.
I think it sounds ok for the time being. The banjo stays in tune very well and I do seldom need to adjust the tuning.
So I think I will leave it as it is for the time being and see how it goes. O have a feeling if I muck about with it I will only make it sound worse. LOL.
Thanks again
Richard

banjopaolo - Posted - 11/14/2009:  13:38:40

I usually change the strings more or less evry six months but sometime I do an 'extra' change if I have a very important concert or a recording session...
For the head I have changed only once on my tenor because I wanted to change from a frosted to a renaissence head, I do a little tighting from time to time when I hear the sound is going down...
that's all!
bye paolo

NYCJazz - Posted - 11/15/2009:  08:19:05

I've been using the same head on my tenor for 20 years. I did remove it about 6 months ago to give everything a good cleaning.

My plectrum has a really old (early 60's) head that I probably won't change until it breaks.

I change my strings as a group about every 3 months or so. No timetable... they just sound a bit dull.

Nathan

RUBY2 - Posted - 11/17/2009:  10:32:57

Cheers Everyone

I have noticed the 1st string is sounding a bit dull. Maybe it's worth a change of strings.

Can anyone help with regard to string gauge and make?

I bought my Deering Goodtime 17fret Tenor new and it has not had the strings changed as yet.
I am not sure as to what gauge that are on the banjo at present and if it is a big deal to make sure they are the same as what are already on it.


With Thanks

Richard

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 11/17/2009:  23:44:16

Richard,

I guess, that your head (on the banjo) will need a tightening now - after 6 months.

A rough estimate will be 2x1/4 turns of the nuts. Go ´round the clock turning them in a row - but not more than 1/4 turn. Then repeat this.

Try laying a ruler across the head and measure the down-sinking of the head at the bridge ends. Appr. 2 mm will be fine.

Regarding strings - for a 19-fret tenor I´ll recommend f.ex. the gauges 010-013-023W-030W (nickel woundings) - I guess, that these will do for a 17-fretter also. If possible buy them as single strings - many standard tenor sets have a heavy 016 2nd string - these sets are meant for chord melody playing.

Replace the strings 2-3 times pr. year.

Regards

Polle

RUBY2 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  07:24:23

Hi Polle
Thanks for that info
I will have a look at getting some strings and tensioning the head.
I have to admit though, I don't know how to remove the resonator to get to tighten up the hooks for the head. DOH!
Cheers
Richard

snakeherd - Posted - 11/18/2009:  08:16:23

The Goodtime does not have a truss rod in the neck, so neck relief is subject to string tension. I wouldn't go with any heavier gauge than what Deering specifies.

Scott

diarmaid - Posted - 11/18/2009:  13:03:37

Hi Richard,

i would recommend tightening the head a lot and using some of these strings newtonestrings.com/traditional_page.htm the heaviest set of tenor strings are great for eadg (irish style) tuning and i prefer the phospher bronze ones...with them theres 3 wound strings and it helps the sound a lot.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 11/18/2009:  23:06:29

Diarmaid - Richard is playing tenor tuning CGDA - LOL!

The set 010-013-023W-030W is a medium set for 19-fretters. I don´t think, that they´ll harm Richards Goodtime 17-fretter.

Polle

diarmaid - Posted - 11/19/2009:  06:57:07

DOH! i shouldve read it more carefully before i put my foot in my mouth!...in that case the lighter gauge strings should be nicefor that cgda tuning.

RUBY2 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  09:23:54

Cheers everyone for the info.
I will get some strings bought and get back in touch about tightening the head correctly.
Cheers
Richard

RUBY2 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  10:12:00

Oh why is nothing straight forward

I have searched the net for some strings from somewhere on the net in England.

Polle is recomending 010, 013, 023w, 030 Nickel wound (Cheers Polle)

However I am having trouble getting the exact match. I have found :-

D Addario Nickel wound 009, 016, 023w, 030

Martin Nickel wound 009, 016, 023w, 030

La Bella Silver plated 011, 013, 023, 033

Newtone Medium 010, 016, 024, 032

Can anyone let me know which would be best for my goodtime banjo?

Cheers

Richard

specs - Posted - 11/19/2009:  16:10:53

Ruby2,
I'm new to this, so take that into account.
When I got the Banjo it came with some plain steel ones that sounded horrible.
So I switched it to some nickel wound strings (the only strings the local chain shop carried) and it made a huge difference. I've played with those for 2 months and finally ordered a few online.
I just put a new pair of strings on tonight, some phosphor bronze strings and they sound better than the past 2 types (steel, nickel) especially the 4th String! I hated how that string sounded and now I really like it.
I also ordered some of the silver-plated strings but I'll have to wait awhile to try those out...

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 11/19/2009:  23:13:00

Richard,

An UK possibility - I´ve often purchased parts from halshawmusic.co.uk - Tony sells f.ex. sets with gauges for you to choose. Payment normally via PayPal.

A DK possibility - I could ship you a few sets with the mentioned gauges - my price is the same as Tony´s. Payment via PayPal or IBAN. Postage will be a little higher however.

Regards

Polle

RUBY2 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  23:23:06

Cheers for that.
I will try Halshaw music and get back to you Polle if I am still stuck.
Ta
Richard