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Deering owners club

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Only requirement is be an owner or a dedicated fan of Deering Banjos.

652 Members, Created 1/27/2011 -

Administrators: Randyc1959 (owner)

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From camlan on 3/4/2016 10:25:36 AM

I am just setting up my new Hartford and wonder if any of you have good recommendations for head tension and bridge selection - I am leaving it in regular tuning most of time and playing bluegrass with a bluesy sound. Want a rich and resonant sound, but not dull or thumpy. Right now it is sounding thin. Current head tension 89.5 - 91.5 and tuned to just above G, not G#. Action is 1/8th " at 12th fret.

Thanks...

6 Comments
	roadstar75 says: 3/4/2016 12:30:01 PM What's left to do?
	camlan says: 3/4/2016 12:32:18 PM sounds real thin at present, not rich or clear or resonant
	Vapor says: 3/4/2016 10:15:41 PM Where is your tailpiece set?
	camlan says: 3/5/2016 1:35:01 PM 1/4" off head
	psikes says: 3/5/2016 9:39:42 PM My old Hartford has the head at G and a Nechville Enterprise compensated 5/8 bridge. It has a phenomenal sound and when I played it at Wintergrass this year it was up against every banjo you can imagine and mor than held its own every time. My action is a bit over 1/8 at the 12th fret.
	camlan says: 3/10/2016 10:47:39 AM I have spent a lot of time working with Carolina and Barry from Deering. Played with different strings and bridges and checked neck and tailpiece specs. The thing that brought that rich Hartford sound alive was playing with the head tension. Tried A and multiple steps down to F. Tuning the head just sharp of F# and below G has resulted in the most amazing resonance, bass, strong mid range and solid clarity up high. Exactly what I wanted. Worth a try for you Hartford owners out there. I will also look at a Nechville Enterprise bridge. I am going with a .656" bridge over the 5/8" so I can enjoy higher action. Thanks for all you comments.
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