I am still a rank beginner. I have an RK-R35 Madison, pretty much stock setup. I have a Gary Sosebee 5/8 bridge. I have had this banjo for a little over a year. It looks to me as though the bridge is bowing down in the center. I am leery of tightening the head any more, and , right now cannot afford a drum head tension tool.
Is it common for the bridge to bow down in the center.? I put a machinist steel straight edge across the top of the bridge, and the bow is only a few thousandths, but noticeable to the naked eye.
Any comments, would be appreciated. May take a while as my internet connection is off again , on again. I am waiting on service call, but live in the "boondocks" so it may be a day or two before I can reply.
7 Comments |
 | RB-1 says:
8/27/2013 8:59:53 AM
7wolf,
Forget about the bridge, that's a different set up factor.
Lay the banjo in your lap, put your right hand flat on the bridge and strings so these cannot resonate. Do not touch the head.
Then lightly scratch the head with the back of a finger nail from ~ 1" inside the tension hoop outward.
You'll be hearing a high, kind of hissing, noise that contains various pitched, recognizable (very high) notes. Kind of a chord.
The top note should stand out, however.
Now find the note on the first string that matches.
Only when the head is rather slack (possible if the banjo only had one set up when new), you might have to find it on the second.
Most flathead, Mastertone constructed banjos, as your RK-35 is one, are sounding good when this 'tap (scratch) note' is somewhere between F and A.
G# (6th fret) being the generally accepeted norm.
I like a 'dark' banjo sound better so you'll find my banjo's somewhere between F and G#.
to each his (or her) own...
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 | 7wolfman says:
8/28/2013 2:35:01 PM
thank you RB. will work this plan , and let you know if I am capable of following simple instruction. Hope so . Thanks again.
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 | rhnewsome says:
9/3/2013 9:03:09 AM
Alternatively, you can use a 10" straight edge and a coin to check the head tension. Lay the straight edge flat on the banjo head such that it is parallel to the strings and just touching the edge of the bridge. Slide a coin under the straight edge near the bridge. Essentially you are measuring the depth of the depression make by the bridge into the head. A quarter is about G#, a dime is about A. This is pretty simple and fairly accurate. Once you find a tension that you like. it is also easy to repeat the setup. Lookup Steve Davis here on BHO for further information. He is the one who suggests this method. I use it all the time, and find it very easy to do.
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| 7wolfman says:
9/5/2013 12:38:19 PM
RB-1 and rhnewsome; thank you both for your helpful insights. I had to put in both hearing aids and turn them all the way up, but I think I got it right. It has always been a super sounding banjo, but now it kinda ...sparks. I just have to practice harder to be worthy of this fine instrument.
I just started to play after turning 65. Poor hearing and arthritic fingers have slowed everything down, but I get so much enjoyment from the banjo, I'm sure I'll play 'til it's time for me to go ....wherever it is I'm goin.
Once more , this ol' country boy apreciates your helpful suggestions.
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| 7wolfman says:
9/5/2013 12:40:25 PM
As a post script, cable co. finally found me, got a new drop, so hopefully all is well in the internet world. Will see.
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| rhnewsome says:
9/6/2013 9:55:06 AM
Ralph,
I too started when I was 65, and can't seem to put it down. Spent the first 3-4 months with a bluegrass teacher, then discovered clawhammer and old time. I also have arthritic fingers and CW worked pretty well. Played CW for a couple of years, and just bought the RK-36 to get back into bluegrass. Currently I am playing with a BG band that plays around town and enjoy it thoroughly.
Best of luck with your banjo journey.
Richard
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| 7wolfman says:
9/6/2013 2:39:43 PM
rh ; thanks for the encouragement. I am not very good, & no teachers close.
I don't expect to improve a whole lot, I just get a great deal of enjoyment out of playing what I can, when I can.
Thanks again for the positive words.
God be with you.
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