When I first started playing my Geo Dobson with nylon strings I felt there was no volume at all....so I started "over-playing" to try and achieve the volume I was used to with steel. Then I recorded my first video for the the Hangout and couldn't believe how the volume was actually projecting out from the banjo versus what I was hearing behind it. Now I play much "softer" and I think the results are better. Remember, I'm working off of about two weeks of fretless/nylon experience here....Regards, Rick
12 Comments |
 | boondocker53 says:
4/13/2013 12:34:35 PM
Good stuff Rick! I love playing my fretless. Those slides are just so cool!
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 | Annon says:
4/13/2013 4:13:07 PM
I would think that many instruments might act similarly and project the sound such that what the player hears is not entirely what a listener might hear. I let my friend play my banjo and I was delighted with the acoustics, although previously I thought the instrument was soft. I tried some experiments and determined that indeed your discovery is accurate.
The other day I changed my tuning from open F to open G. I didnt think it would make much difference in volume; I was more concerned about the additional stress on the instrument. Not only does the instrument sound louder, it is like learning to play a new instrument - Ive had to adjust my finger pressure and attack method (such as when one strikes the strings). The strings are not as rubbery.
Good luck Rick with your playing. It appears that you and I are similar in that we love to experience these new discoveries.....I too recently started to playing fretless. I wonder why I waited so long.
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 | GrizClaw says:
4/13/2013 5:40:16 PM
Annon.....Joel Hooks....suggested I use an uncapped bridge in the style of the era that my banjo was made. I made one from an ACE paint stick and it improved tone and volume.....experimenting with different bridges is going to fun....Regards, Rick
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| Annon says:
4/13/2013 9:54:08 PM
Paint sticks, ay? Now I would never have thought of that. I have been sawing quarter inch sections from a block of mahogany, then I shave it to acquire a tapered appearance much like a violin bridge - but much shorter of course. I have them in different heights to accommodate the variances in the skin as it expands or shrinks. Im not sure what an uncapped bridge is, but mine are just mahogany. So far I have no complaints....but I might experiment with bridges in the future.
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| GrizClaw says:
4/14/2013 8:50:25 AM
Annon....many bridges are capped with ebony on top of maple or whatever the bridge material is. Because ebony is so hard it can withstand steel strings better than other woods. But as Joel Hooks told me....you don't need the cap for nylon and it can actually be a volume killer....He's right.....when I made the bridge without the cap....volume and tone increased. I used the paint stick to see what sound I would get with a softer wood....seems to be more mellow to my ear.....Rick
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| GrizClaw says:
4/14/2013 9:39:36 AM
Annon....many bridges are capped with ebony on top of maple or whatever the bridge material is. Because ebony is so hard it can withstand steel strings better than other woods. But as Joel Hooks told me....you don't need the cap for nylon and it can actually be a volume killer....He's right.....when I made the bridge without the cap....volume and tone increased. I used the paint stick to see what sound I would get with a softer wood....seems to be more mellow to my ear.....Rick
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 | erikforgod says:
4/14/2013 3:51:23 PM
It would seem to me ( just my opinion ) that nylon strings vibrate at a much lower speed and frequency than steel, so a hard, dense wood like an Ebony cap wouldn't transmit the energy well the way nylon strings would vibrate. I would think a wider bridge of a kinda softer, less dense wood would make a better bridge for nylon strings. Maybe something like "Spruce" or Cedar?
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 | banjoes says:
4/15/2013 6:28:31 AM
It would seem to me that strings (of any material) vibrate at the same frequency to produce the same note? Just my opinion...
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| erikforgod says:
4/15/2013 10:08:42 AM
I saw the bridge in your pics and video Rick...looks and sounds pretty darn good to me!
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 | Bufo Bill says:
5/9/2013 1:50:56 PM
I have had much luck with Douglas Fir bridges, the thinner the better. I top my bridges with rosewood for a little extra durability, but I doubt this is essential even with wood as soft as this. Joel Hooks has an article somewhere on vintage banjo bridges that may inspire the bridge makers among us. Will try to find out a link.
All the best from Bill. :D
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| Bufo Bill says:
5/11/2013 3:48:34 PM
That link:-
archive.banjosessions.com/dec08/Hooks.html
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 | guywolff says:
9/1/2013 2:26:28 PM
All of my Banjos are over to Nylgut the last few years . The thinner the head the better the vibration with the lighter tention of the nylgut . My big and exciting breakthrough is that a higher bridge (much higher ) is great and the reaction for hammer ons and pull off's is stellar . The wholl set up informs the tune . My home made bridges have been mahagany just because I have a lot of it but I will try some pine for the hoot of it .. Yours Guy
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