Deering Maple Blossom

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652 Members, Created 1/27/2011 -

Administrators: Randyc1959 (owner)

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From KTGreen on 3/29/2016 8:22:54 AM

I just bought a 2001 Deering Maple Blossom. A big upgrade from my starter banjo. It played fine but I wanted to update it a bit. Bought a new Deering Top Frosted Banjo Head - High Crown, A Deering True Tone Tailpiece. Took it to the local acoustic music store and had the owner replace these parts plus put on new light strings and a 5/8" bridge. Now it sounds very twangy--not the kind of twangy a banjo should sound like! I plan to call the store but any suggestions?

9 Comments
	USAF PJ says: 3/29/2016 8:31:58 AM I own a Maple Blossom, it does have a brighter sound as compared to the Sierra, but twangy??? If you like I can take a good look at the parts and check bridge to be sure for you. Let me know.
	RUSTYSTILL says: 3/29/2016 8:51:39 AM Try Thomastik banjo strings or like a GHS medium gauge phosphored bronze string.....the Thomastiks are my favorites and have a tone that's warm and wonderful. Nickel and steel strings don't do it for me. PB strings will also warm up the tone some. Some people really like twangy banjo, not me.
	camlan says: 3/29/2016 9:02:34 AM Make head tension and tail piece are both not too high😎
	spini says: 3/29/2016 9:09:42 AM I bought a 2001 Maple Blossom and did the exact same thing. New Deering head, new Deering True tone tailpiece, ne 5/8 snuffy smith bridge. I use GHS Sonny Osborn medium light strings. It sounds great, it is maple, and shallower resinator so its bright. Make sure your head tention is correct and recheck every month or so until the new head is broke in. I love mine, it is bright sounding though. Deerings have their own sound, but the workmanship is second to none. Good luck.
	KTGreen says: 3/29/2016 12:08:08 PM Thank you for the suggestions. I added two photos of the tail piece in my photo album "Maple Blossom TailPiece." In the old tailpiece, all the strings went over.
	spini says: 4/24/2016 3:10:57 AM To me it looks like your tailpiece is set too low, but thats just me. If you like the sound then leave it be.
	KTGreen says: 4/24/2016 11:05:34 AM The luthier replaced the bridge and did something with the nut. It sounds better now. Another banjo player played it and suggested I replace the light strings with heavier strings. I will do that when the strings need replaced. I'm happy with it for now! It sounds wonderful compared to my old banjo.
	Jesse13 says: 5/6/2016 8:07:40 PM Hi Spini, I was wondering what kind of difference the Smith bridge made.
bartmcneil says: 12/10/2016 8:02:39 AM I wouldn't espect the tailpiece to make a significant change in tone. The primary thing may be head tension. try some experimenting with head tension. tighter and looser... For a mellower tone i'd suggest going to a skin head. A skin head will likely reduce some of the harshnes you are experiencing. By esperimenting with head material and tension you should be able to fine tune your bango to your desired tonality. Banjos are built to be adjusted by the owner.
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