I have a Reiter Regent that I brought new about a year ago. I really like the banjo. I am curious how different parts might impact the sound. It came with a no knot tail piece. I am wondering what other Reiter owners might have tried or settled on for a tail piece and how the tone was impacted. I believe the bridge is 5 Star 5/8" and I imagine that a bridge change would also have an impact just not sure what? I have stuck to the stock strings D'Addario J61. thanks
11 Comments |
 | BDCA says:
1/22/2015 8:19:29 AM
banjohangout.org/topic/297914/1
Cya!
Bob
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| BDCA says:
1/22/2015 8:20:33 AM
banjohangout.org/topic/297914/1
Cya!
Bob
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 | Ohio Senator says:
1/22/2015 8:36:37 AM
I have a Reiter coming tomorrow and intend on trying out a Kershner vs the no knot. Will let you know in the next day or two what my verdict is.
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 | dhinds4100 says:
1/22/2015 12:51:40 PM
Bob, thanks for the link to the tail piece thread. Interesting reading. I also look forward to Ohio Senator's comments. thanks Dale
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| Ohio Senator says:
1/23/2015 7:26:01 PM
So, I just got a new (used) Galax in my hands tonight (with a J Balch goatskin) and have swapped out the no knot to a Kershner and back again.
I liked the way it sounded initially, tightened the head and dropped the Kershner in... and it sounded good, more focused I suppose, but basically it seemed to me that it sounded too much like my Senator (just with a bit more low end).
Since I want to have different sounds available, I'm going back to the no knot for awhile to see how it goes.
I also need to figure out how to adjust the neck relief properly (its too high), and that needs done before I can really comment too much further.
Ultimately, I see a Bacon tone ring in my future, too.
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| BDCA says:
1/23/2015 8:05:34 PM
So here's the thing about the no knot..the sound you get is totally dependent on crown height. On a Kershner you adjust the sting height off the head, break angle and consequently the downward pressure on the bridge, With a No Knot, it's dependent on the height of the rim above the head. A low crown head means more height above the head and less string pressure on the bridge and vice versa. It could be that your Kershner and No Knot are about the same height off the head in which case there may not be a significant difference. In my case, there was and it made a big difference on both of my Ramseys.
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| Ohio Senator says:
1/23/2015 9:13:16 PM
Yeah, thats definitely at play here. The top of the rim is only maybe an 1/8th of an inch above the head on this banjo.
So the downward pressure is good enough for the no knot, and I'm pleasantly surprised with the result.
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| dhinds4100 says:
1/24/2015 5:20:38 AM
Thanks, this discussion has given me a better understanding of how tail pieces impact a banjos tone. I went a head and ordered a Kerchner, what the heck it can't hurt to try one out.
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| dhinds4100 says:
1/29/2015 10:54:10 AM
I have the kerchner installed and my immediate impression is that the tone of the banjo has been softened. You can play harder without over doing it sound wise (if that makes any sense). I guess the notes are clearer and more mellow. Probably just me.
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| BDCA says:
1/29/2015 1:09:57 PM
Nope, not you but the tail piece which is eliminating unwanted resonances, You can play with adjusting the height over the head for a tone you prefer. on my irih tenors I have the TP almost touching the head.
Have fun!!
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| Ohio Senator says:
2/12/2015 2:01:44 PM
Swapped out the No Knot for a Fielding tailpiece and its perfect. Just gave it that little extra oomph without going overboard.
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