THIS is why i need to be here...

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Posted by anetc99 on Saturday, May 19, 2007

oiy...
okay, gonna do my best to make this short.

i just can't help myself (actually, don'wanna) - i like seeing how things work from the inside. i like seeing how things work, in general. this tendency has gotten me into a wee bit of trouble since i was a wee bit of trouble myself.
annette! what happened to the toaster???
annette! what happened to the tv???
annette! what happened to the nuclear reactor??? (jk)

so, earlier this week, i just HAD to take off the resonator to check out the insides, did a little dusting and polishing with a soft dry cloth, put it back together and *TWang-dud* - i killed it!
okay, so actually i killed the sound but still...

first, i dashed off a panicky email to another member, begging for CBR (CriticalBanjoResuscitation).

then i went into a frantic search, looking for clues in the forums. i found good information but couldn't get a handle on how to use it.

then, after kind words and good advice via email, i got over some of my embarrasment and called up where i purchased my banjo. i spoke with paul at the banjo hut and was able to use my talents for mimicry to help describe my problem.

he was very friendly and professional. but despite that difference in paul's response, i suspect he had to catch his breathe and wipe the tears from his eyes just like my mechanic always does.

in any event the info i got from here, the support from the hangout member, combined with the instructions from paul, gave me the confidence to touch my banjo again and crafty (new name) sounds almost the same!

as i found out, the bridge is not attached to the head and can be relatively easily repositioned. whether or not i want it to it seems, like when i had it face down on the ottoman while checking it out. i've also realized that i need to be mindful of the adjustment screw on the tailpiece when i set my banjo down on the chair or couch.

though that makes it sound like the instrument is just too delicate for this brute, i'm also realizing that's not particularily true. it doesn't break the banjo, it is pretty simple to adjust with some practice, and i need to know all this just to change strings.

the tune, the tone, the sound is almost as good as new, yet there is something i'm noticing that's a little hard to explain. the sound comes out right and sustains correctly until the very end. at the end of the note or strum, there is something like a shadowy, echoey effect as it closes. i'm hoping to connect with paul later today to see if i'm hearing things (other than the usual voices -jk) as well as to update him on crafty's condition.

last point: while i was searching thru the forums, i read one thing that definitely helped my banj-xiety. someone replied to another member, who was doing some tweaking of his own, that all this was necessary to learn and good to be learning on a beginner banjo; a sentiment that was also echoed in the emails i got.

so, bottom line, thank you, everybody.

8 comments on “THIS is why i need to be here...”

Nelson Says:
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @1:05:57 PM

Hey... that's why we all need to be here... and you should get yourself a book on how to set up a banjo, not that you will do or even want to do all the things it covers but it is handy for problems like the one you described so eloquently. Happy to hear that your "Crafty" ( I just call mine "Banjo" ) is up and running again.

Paul Bock Says:
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @1:21:44 PM

I never doubted for a microsecond that you could do it. The more you understand your instrument, the better you'll be able to play because you'll know the difference between something out of adjustment or just bad playing technique when it doesn't sound quite right - and that's VERY important.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

anetc99 Says:
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @1:35:21 PM

thanks nelson. and i probably should get a book, but i think i'm the type who likes to learn the hard way first. it might be my version of an adrenaline high.

as for crafty, i don't usually name inanimate objects that i get attached to. for instance, i don't name my cars or my computer, but that doesn't stop me from interacting (and reacting) with them as if they were sentient. (and they ARE ya know...)

but when writing on the topic, the word 'banjo' gets used so much; and 'instrument' sounds pompous if used often; and 'jo' - well, for whatever reason, unless i would have to abbreviate, it doesn't seem right for crafty's personality. silly perhaps, but works for me for now.

hey, get audacity? if you did, whadja think?

anetc99 Says:
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @1:37:26 PM

thanks paul!

ach, and that reminds me, what time is it? gotta call paul at the hut.

Joanchek Says:
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @2:53:29 PM

Hi Nelson! Do not be afraid of your banjo. It loves you and doesn't mind being tinkered with. There is a ton of information here, and lots of helpful people.

The first time I changed strings I broke out into a flop sweat, I swear. But not it's not a big deal in the least, and I can really hear when they need to be changed. Which is usually sooner than I'd like.

Greetings and best wishes for continued banjo health from the beautiful green Poconos. Yes, I'm just north of Scranton, and yes, everything is finally in bloom.

HoosierGal Says:
Saturday, May 19, 2007 @8:48:21 PM

Thanks for posting this, maybe I won't freak out when it happens to me for the first time. Share the knowledge, it's all good.

Brian G Says:
Sunday, May 20, 2007 @6:50:27 PM

Anetc99, just a thought, if your really new at this ajusting thing, the echoe whatever maybe where the strings go over the bridge or the nut, if the slot is to wide the strings can vibrate (like echoe) ans= new bridge...or thin snippet of card in the responible nut slot, trim it then secure string, if the banjo is new check the bridge first...just some info gathered as we go along...

anetc99 Says:
Sunday, May 20, 2007 @7:39:54 PM

thanks hg and brian g,

noticed today that it no longer seemed to have that affect, though now it didn't seem to be as vibrant (loud?) as before. have more to right about that, so i hope to get a new blog post up soon.

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