actually the banjo is a mb 200

An omnidirectional mini electret condenser mic suspended a few mm from the head can capture the sound of most banjos very well, and will resist feedback as well as most pickups.

ABS Mic/Pickup for Banjo with Preamp
Pickup - ABS Gold Tone Banjo or Dobro Mic/Pickup with preamp
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ABS Mic/Pickup for Banjo with Preamp
Pickup - ABS Gold Tone Banjo or Dobro Mic/Pickup with preamp
ABS MIC/PICKUP FOR BANJO WITH PREAMP

5.00/5 - 1 review
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Goldtone Banjo Mic and Pickup for Banjo and Dobro - ABS Advanced Banjo Microphone System with Adjustable Goose Neck Microphone and Preamp
The Goldtone ABS Banjo Pickup Mic for Banjo and Dobro attaches easy, stays on sturdy and the position of the gooseneck mic can be adjusted for the best tone.

This is the best system like it for the money by far. Ross N

The ABS system is essential equipment for the performing banjoist or resonator player. By attaching a dynamic cardoid microphone to the end of a small gooseneck cable, the ABS reliably captures the music you generate at the precise sweet spot where you sound the best. Attachment and adjustment for ideal placement is simple and easy. ABS is shock mounted to prevent the introduction of extraneous vibrations. With no exposed wiring, ABS can be transferred from one banjo to another in seconds.

The ABS system includes a floorbox- type pre-amp (ABS-2) which, when activated by a footswitch, will increase gain (volume) to punch out lead breaks. The ABS pedal comes with a 9-volt battery. For those who prefer a more constant power source.
Connection to the sound system is accomplished by a normal ¼ ” male guitar cable. Two ¼” guitar cables are required for connection with pre-amp and amplifier. ABS comes in a hard plastic carrying case with fitted foam inserts for the mic and pedal.

$179.00$199.00

Not sure what sound quality after, but for acoustic sound, not sure if into a Blues Jr is way to go.

so, I don't really want to mic the banjo, but maybe I do?

As well, for best acoustic sound quality, I like the sound of a mic, into the mixer.  

Have you tried putting a regular mic inside the pot? I assume you are talking open back banjo. This worked fine for me the other evening when the venue was short on mic stands.

Sorry for the late response, I haven't really experimented with any sort of mics but I think that will be my next step. I like the suggestion about the abs mic pickup, seems affordable and a good option, anyone have experience with them? I guess i assumed my banjo being a cheap Deering was also influencing the poor sound, and as to the blues jr, It is the only amp I have at the moment, so I will try and use the pa instead, see what that does.

Being a traditionalist, I wonder if the mic is the problem. You're playing into a mic on a stand I assume.

In that case, how does your banjo sound? Do you have some youtube for us?

If the banjo sounds lousy, then the greatest mic will only amplify the lousy sound.

Who did your setup? Even a "cheap" banjo deserves to be setup well. Maybe the head has pulled out of the hoop and needs a change. I'm just guessing here.

quote:

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Originally posted by neezeppelin

Sorry for the late response, I haven't really experimented with any sort of mics but I think that will be my next step. I like the suggestion about the abs mic pickup, seems affordable and a good option, anyone have experience with them? I guess i assumed my banjo being a cheap Deering was also influencing the poor sound, and as to the blues jr, It is the only amp I have at the moment, so I will try and use the pa instead, see what that does.

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I have tried both GoldTone clip mics, the ABS and ABS-C. The first is like a little 57, a sturdy dynamic mic; the C is a little condenser mic.

I had the C first. It had a decent sound and was not particularly prone to feedback (usually a concern with condensers). I swapped it for the regular ABS though because the C needs phantom power, and phantom power does not go through most preamps*, and I needed the boost button on a stomp box for gigs.

The regular ABS works with a boost, but the signal from it is really weak. Many venues had no problem getting the gain hot enough and I was able to play gigs stress-free with the boost there when I needed it. But other places couldn't get enough gain. I even tried running TWO pre-amps, linked in series -- it comes with its own pre-amp with which I just left the boost on, and then I had a nicer pre-amp that I would toggle boost with. Probably because the signal is weaker, I feel like the regular ABS is really sensitive to placement and can sound like crap if you don't put it in the right spot. But I have seen plenty of pros using them, so I think it just takes experience and patience to work out those issues.

I have abandoned both of those and use a Fishman pickup now, which gives a good strong signal, works with boost, and the tone is surprisingly decent. It is more prone to feedback than I expected, but I also have so-far refused to stuff the pot with a towel (which a lot of busy giggers will do). Actually I now have a pre-amp that can provide phantom power (that is why the * above), but I don't have the ABS-C any longer to test it out. (The new pre-amp also has two inputs so I am probably going to get a microphone on stand to blend with the pickup so that I can have the best of both worlds. Particularly after you read my next paragraph you will realize I have quite a bit of money in my gear.)

I'll also add that getting an acoustic amp makes a huge difference, but they are expensive. I tried for a while to play out of a little Marshall electric guitar amp (OK not the greatest), but bought the medium Fishman Loudbox and it was a huge difference. The small Fishman is less expensive, but it can't fill a busy room very well if you ever need that -- as someone mentioned, a PA system is going to be there if you actually need to project your sound. But two of my bandmates use little Fishmen as personal monitors, and actually that is what my medium Fishman mostly gets used for now.

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Originally posted by neezeppelin

I have a deering goodtime open back banjo that came with a pickup installed, but I also have an Epiphone mb 250 and I just tried installing a lr baggs banjo pickup and it sounds super metallic and I hate it.
so, I don't really want to mic the banjo, but maybe I do? I need a better sound and i can afford to spend a little money, new banjo? better pickup? better amp? im lost. any info would be appreciated, I also looking into getting a used deering form this site maybe, but that is a different question for later. Thanks

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Nicholas, you've played other banjos, you're able to compare them. I had a Goodtime open back, my first banjo, but now that I play better banjos I think they sound pretty bad, honestly. Thin, not much in the mid-range or low-end. You're sure the pickup is the issue?

bosborne I originally posted this in a different section, because I suspect that it is a combination of a banjo that doesn't sound good, the wrong amp and I'm not sure about the pickup, but I speculate it is the banjo. Honestly, im in a strange spot. out of all the instruments I play, the banjo is the only one that I have not purchased a "professional" or at least a high quality model.
one of the reasons is I spent some money on an Eastman mandolin and while i was initially happy with the sound, as I developed as a musician, I don't like the sound, I would like to play my banjo purchase before I buy it. maybe this is flawed logic, maybe i will risk a blind purchase, but maybe you have some advice on that.
What really puts me in a strange spot, is I learned to play the banjo specifically for this band and have developed my playing over the last few years just for this band, I have never even seen a banjo being played in person. i have never even held a different banjo, much less a quality banjo, but I have played for years and made pretty good money for a part time player. so honestly, that is why i am so lost. i want a better sound, but I feel like I need to start over, and get a new banjo, and a new amp, or a better setup to be sent through the pa.
so any info on a good $2k banjo would also be appreciated.

Hello,

I have used Shure, Mics, and Gold Tone ABS. None worked to provide freedom of movement. They or me all moved around. Some just fell off. I found myself more cautious when playing.

Three years ago, Cling-On mics were introduced. I bought one and tried it. A magnet keeps it in place. It is not in my way and I have yet to bump it out of position from solid objects like people, hallways, and doors. Look them up.

quote:

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Originally posted by neezeppelin

so any info on a good $2k banjo would also be appreciated.

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Nicholas, there are threads on this topic regularly in BHO, and here's a recent one:

https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/387503

There's mention of the Zach Hoyt banjos, they seem to be considered a reasonable choice. If I were looking for a new, inexpensive open back I'd also look at Ute Banjos and Stone Banjos.

One thing you want to think about is the head, skin or non-skin. I prefer skin heads for the sound but they definitely are finicky and need more re-tuning over the course of the session, not necessarily the best choice for a performer.

There is no pickup that is "your banjo but louder". It does not exist. That said, the EMG pickup is the closest I've heard. Not difficult to install. I recommend using a stainless steel wound 4th.

EMG ACB Banjo pickup system