So I would really like to put a new tailpiece on my banjo, and I would like it to be a Fults, simply because I have heard they are pretty much the best you can get. However they are kind of expensive, and was wondering if anyone has ever used one and if they think they are worth the price tag. The customization options available (tone pins, kicker pins, etc.) are pretty much over my head at this stage in my banjo development, but I think it would be helpful to experiment. My current tailpiece is just the stock one and it is fine, but I would like to see if I can get better tone out of my banjo.

Juice

Posted - 10/02/2009 :  23:06:50    

Even if someone replies and tells you the Fultz made a tremendous improvement to the tone of their banjo does not mean that it will on yours. The only way you will ever know is to try one yourself. Even if you note a change it might just be a change that is different and not necessarily an improvement. There are a lot of variables when it comes to banjo tone and it is hard to 'center' of one part of the banjo and say "if I change that I will get the kind of tone I am looking for." Possible but not a certainty. Take the plunge, try the Fultz and see what happens. In the end you will have found out something about your own personal banjo.

Bobby Elliott

"found a few chords on the banjo is the key to life." Vince Gill

Robin Smith Timeless Timber-Walnut-Wreath in Ebony
Deering Golden Era

Posted - 10/03/2009 :  00:46:32      

Sage advice, thank you. I am a beginner but I know what I like and I know what sounds good to my ear when I play, this is something to keep in mind when upgrading my hardware.

Juice

Posted - 10/03/2009 :  02:32:55        

I have two 1934 Parallels for sale, one gold and one nickel. both are in mint condition. $80 will get you the nickel one (including shipping in US). If you're interested, shoot me a private message.

Posted - 10/03/2009 :  03:59:09          

I have a Fults Cumberland on my Deering GDL it makes a great looking banjo look and sound evern better, you can see the workmanship thats gone in to them, i've also got a cats eye bridge they go great together, there's a good photo of my banjo on my photo page.

john.

Edited by - airborne on 10/03/2009 04:08:39

Posted - 10/04/2009 :  13:07:57      

I LOVE my Kat Eyez bridge. Thats an intricate and finely crafted component, it really makes me appreciate the details in handcrafted hardware, both acoustically and aesthetically.

Juice

Posted - 10/04/2009 :  13:25:36        

The Goldstar tailpiece is the plain vanilla non-adjustable Presto, and, for what it is, isn't a bad tailpiece. I have a Fults and love it, but for less than half the price, you could get a Kerschner, which is head and shoulders above the Presto, IMHO. Very adjustable, easy string changes, cool vintage vibe, and easy on the pocket. Never heard anyone badmouth the Kerschner, but can't say the same thing for the Presto. Sure, Earl plays with a Presto, and he also plays with a Grover bridge. If I had his hands, I wouldn't worry about improving the tone, because who can improve on perfection? For the rest of us mere mortals, it tweak, tweak, tweak, and tweak some more.

"Life Has Been Easier On Me Than Any Lazy Person Like Myself Has The Right To Expect"-Pete Seeger

Posted - 12/08/2009 :  05:24:41        

I put the Cumberland on my Alvarez and it did a huge improvement on the tone sustain and what I like the most is its rapid ajustement. I had the head to F then decided to have a Reno tone (so tighten it until I heard a cracking noise). I tried high settings but found that it was better at 0.125'' from the head spacing just like Earl Scruggs instruction booklet. Put a 5/8'' bridge and the resonance is just loud and clear. Ross Nickerson recommended me the Fultz.