Starter - Posted - 05/19/2011:  08:48:35

Hi,

Is there a good guide anywhere for such things as bridge placement, string height, skin tension (is that what we call it) and in general all those mysterious factors that go into a "good setup"?  My Wildwood Troubadour has suddenly developed serious buzzing on the 4th string, and I've anyway always thought its 4th string didn't sound as good as the rest of them.

I'd be happy to take it to a professional if I can find one in Philadelphia, but I'd also just like to know more about the mechanics of it all.

Many thanks,

will

scogaz - Posted - 05/19/2011:  08:52:54

I just got Steve Huber's DVD "Killer Tone" and it's great.  I built my own banjo about 25 years ago (Mastertone copy) but couldn't really remember how to tweak the setup.  After watching the video, I took my banjo apart, cleaned it and got it back together and sounding great. 

Frisco Fred - Posted - 05/19/2011:  09:11:07

Welcome to both of you "newbe's" and thanks for helping those of us vet's in the Hangout who needed some fresh advice..

TabMan - Posted - 05/19/2011:  10:18:18

A pretty good guide is "How to Set Up the Best Sounding Banjo" by Roger Siminoff. I think he also wrote a book on building one from scratch.  This "how to" book covers pretty much all you questioned and more.

Good Luck.

1four5 - Posted - 05/19/2011:  10:37:17

Did you know that there is a ton of banjo maintenance information right here in the "Lessons" section of the website.

Jack Russel - Posted - 05/19/2011:  10:49:39

Siminoff's would be useful.  Oak publish a book called complete banjo maintenance (I think that's the title, I can't remember the author) this has plenty of info.

vernob - Posted - 05/19/2011:  11:07:57

A buzz is often a string that is too low and is close to touching a fret so that when you strike it, it buzzes against the fret. Tightening the head a bit will raise the action. If it's already tight and the bridge isn't sinking down into the head, then maybe a taller bridge will do it. Try tightening the head first. Turn each bracket nut just a bit all the way around. If any are loose when you start, that is tell-tale. Good luck.