DWFII - Posted - 01/21/2022:  04:58:26

Osage orange...I grew up in Missouri and I know the smell of Osage orange in my bones. I kind of like it.

Osage Orange turns that almost dark honey brown when exposed to air for a while. Gets harder as it ages. They say that you can't drive a nail into old fence posts that pioneers and settlers used in the 18th century. 

gottasmilealot - Posted - 01/21/2022:  08:04:27

I don't presume to be an expert, but that's a good banjo. My suggestion is to experiment with setup changes and your playing techniques rather than changing banjos. I prefer the adaptability of a tailpiece that can provide down pressure if needed. The head tension, head type, bridge, and string type are all easy and relatively inexpensive changes you can make. Alternate tunings will change the tone of your banjo and may give you the sound you desire. I'd leave the resonator on for now. Enjoy the experience and don't get hung up on the little things. Play, play, play!

Edited by - gottasmilealot on 01/21/2022 08:05:36

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 01/21/2022:  09:54:52

KatB

Kat: That's really cool and unique. I love it. looks like a great little banjo!

What DWFII says for sure.

KatB - Posted - 01/23/2022:  16:54:24

quote:Originally posted by R.D. LuncefordKatB

Kat: That's really cool and unique. I love it. looks like a great little banjo!

What DWFII says for sure.
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Yeah, I actually hadn't heard of Osage orange before. It's beautiful stuff. Verne offered to send me a bit of the same fence post so I could make a matching bridge. I should take him up on that.

@DWFII, I looked at your instagram page. You posted elsewhere that you might like to build a banjo. I think you absolutely should do that. You are capable and you probably own most of the requisite tools.

Edited by - KatB on 01/23/2022 16:55:01

DWFII - Posted - 01/23/2022:  17:15:57

quote:

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@DWFII, I looked at your instagram page. You posted elsewhere that you might like to build a banjo. I think you absolutely should do that. You are capable and you probably own most of the requisite tools.

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Kat,

Thanks for the kind words.

I think that 10 years ago I might have been capable. I'm gonna be 76 in nine days.  Just learning to play the dern thing is enough of a challenge!

CW Spook - Posted - 02/01/2022:  09:38:31

I have an original '94 Deering Hartford that was my first good banjo (I have a few others) and will be my forever banjo. After I decided that I'd never be a Scruggs-style picker, I set it up for clawhammer and 2-finger thumb lead playing. It's got a John Balch hide head, a Spillway Dam bridge, and LaBella 17 nylon strings. I love the way it sounds in either style.