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revellfa - Posted - 10/25/2013: 05:58:38
Any BB owners out there find that their BB Banjos sound better with a looser head? Right now I have a Remo on mine that is at about an F and it really opened up and sounds great.
gailg64 - Posted - 10/25/2013: 06:41:54
Yep, you don't want to squish those ball bearings or it loses some of the vibrant sound the BBs are known for.
gdoc - Posted - 10/25/2013: 07:37:07
I have a real scientific method for tightening my bb banjo head. (If you believe that, let me know, I have some nice swamp property to sell).
Actually, I found this happened back about 1980 or so. When I was tightening the head, and it started getting close, all the sudden when I'd put the wrench on the nut, it would make a ringing sound... Ping. I stopped at that point.
My banjo would not sound quite right for about 2 weeks, kind of had an odd dull sound. But within a week - to 2, it would come alive. I have no idea what pitch it was tuned to, but it sounded great after it set in. I've used that method ever since.
by the way, my wrench (T-type) fit just ever so loose. If it were to fit snug, I don't know if it would work or not. I've never busted a head doing it this way, but I'm not guarantying it won't happen.
Sometimes I'd get nervous about it too, when I was getting close to tight and it was still making a thud sound, but the ping always happened.
I suggest having a spare head around if you try this, and if it fails, your aloud to tell all your friends I don't know what I'm talking about. But if it works, just smile.
ps, sometimes I'd have to adjust the tail piece angle, as it would accidently move.
kmwaters - Posted - 10/25/2013: 10:20:04
Anyone know what years, models, or tone rings had the ball bearing feature? All I can find it rather spotty and just talks about the late twenties.
Do you think it's a plus or a minus to have ball bearings??
Edited by - kmwaters on 10/25/2013 10:20:38
lightgauge - Posted - 10/25/2013: 10:52:00
All I am aware of are the earlier 1925 with the shotgun skirt and 1926 with regular solid skirt. After that came the archtop solid rings. It seems maybe a few earlier with 10 1/2 " rims, but speaking of 11" rims.
kmwaters - Posted - 10/25/2013: 11:04:41
Thanks Bobby. Funny how people put ads in classifieds and omit things like tone ring information, ball bearing feature, etc. Seems to me the more information they include the better their chance to make a sale. But it seems common in the banjo ads.
Fathand - Posted - 10/25/2013: 11:25:00
The full ball bearing tone ring including springs under the balls was a feature in 1925 and 26 on Style 3 and higher banjos.
I once calculated it takes 42 lb per square inch to squeeze one of those springs. You will burst your long head before you reach that pressure on all 24 of them. I have found the Steve Davis ruler/quarter technique works pretty good for head tension regardless of if I have my tone ring Upside down (for more surface area) or not. I used to have a tuner that would read my head tap note and came up with A upside down or or B right side up.
Edited by - Fathand on 10/25/2013 11:27:03
dobroman - Posted - 10/25/2013: 23:44:11
Where do ya like the tail piece height at? I let mine sort of find its own way.
Emiel - Posted - 10/26/2013: 01:45:29
quote:
Originally posted by dobroman
Where do ya like the tail piece height at? I let mine sort of find its own way.
I have it sitting on the the grooved tension hoop with its small tabs.
Kurt Kemp - Posted - 10/26/2013: 05:57:42
Dick Guggenheim once measured the compression on those springs and while I do not recall the foot lbs it was far beyond what head tension could ever produce.
banjerman - Posted - 10/26/2013: 09:27:08
quote:
Originally posted by revellfa
Any BB owners out there find that their BB Banjos sound better with a looser head? Right now I have a Remo on mine that is at about an F and it really opened up and sounds great.
Fortunately I havent had to change or tighten the head on a 26 since I bought it. BUT, on the other 3 banjos in my basement I have found there is no rule at all as to best tension for all banjos. I got advice from 3 super pickers/ luthiers and they all say the same thing. Tighten until you get the sound you like best. That in 1/8 turns at most. Its fussy but not too bad.
kmwaters - Posted - 10/26/2013: 11:04:19
I agree Wally. I watched a Youtube of this guy Donnie Little doing an adjustment on a banjo - he might have been with Warren Yates on it. Anyhow, he tweaked the coordinator rod 1/4 turn at a time, then would turn the banjo over and pick the first string at fret 12. When he got the ring and sustain he wanted then he was done. Proof in the puddin'. I would have to say the same for a tailpiece. But I have no floaters. Fults on one and a Stelling on the Stelling. They both are about 1/4 inch above the head and parallel to it. Seems to be where I get the best sound out of them. Bridges are .656 so the down tension behind them is mild. Still plenty of crackle.
