A group for the owners and advocators of Burlile and his product, and for those curious as to the Right Honorable Mr. Burlile

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Burlile Ingram banjo on YouTube

From Pickin furry paws on 4/22/2015 2:00:43 PM

Jim Britton, great banjo player, posted a video a bit ago, showing the great tones of a Burlile-equipped Ingram banjo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTzOLa5Xf34

You can also see the video at the top of the linked content section (as of this post).

The banjo clearly has a tight head, most likely around A (tap tuned). The rim is an FQMS "factory floor" which Will Williams used on all his banjos. Prucha hardware and a Gill resonator complete the package. The video very clearly demonstrates the difference in the Burlile ring compared to competitor rings. The tone is reminiscent of the kind of sound Crowe and Earl produced from their banjos in the 60s--bright, cracking, yet clear and sustaining tone with the new plastic REMO heads.

Obviously, any banjo head will produce "brighter" sounds from a much tighter head--in this, every banjo is the same. What sets the Burlile ring apart is no matter how tight, musical sounds will always be produced. What do I mean by "musical?" That the head tension does not affect the tone of the instrument. Note that even though the head is tighter than most modern banjos, the initial ring or bite of the notes does not disappear. Also note that the sound is rich despite being bright. There is a clear bell quality to the sound, and the picker does not have to increase attack on the strings to get the sound. 

While I personally prefer a looser banjo head, one thing is clear: no matter which tension you prefer, the Burlile ring keeps the tone right, notwithstanding changes in overall quality and frequency of the sound. Other banjos clearly have a "window" for the set up; go outside that window, tighten the head too much, and the banjo sounds horrible. Not a Burlile. 

3 Comments
BanjoJohnny says: 4/22/2015 10:59:56 PM That is Williams Ingram Banjo with a Burlile ring. The banjo was made by Will Williams.
	Pickin furry paws says: 4/27/2015 1:13:13 PM Yep :)
	blugrssmom says: 2/13/2016 10:25:58 AM I own a Kenny Ingram myself and I love it I also have a gold, maple Williams banjo with a Burlile ring in it. This gold one was the very first banjo Will made that he put a Burlile ring into. Both banjos are killers.
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