I regularly play an open stage with my Irish tenor banjo; I accompany my vocals while picking/strumming the blues with a pick. It’s a cheap banjo (metal body, resonator removed), but I’ve always loved the tone. Another regular is a really good five-string player who plays old melodies clawhammer style.
While complimenting my playing recently, the five player told me that he thinks I need a new skin because my banjo was "sounding plinky". I have to admit, my tenor isn’t sounding as growly as it used to, but then he was recommending skins that would give it a much mellower tone like he gets.
While I’m willing to admit I don’t know anything on the subject (after seven years, it hadn’t occurred to me that I might need a skin), I’m looking for a brasher tone. Any recommendations? Bonus points if it doesn’t break the bank.
You might need to just tighten your head a bit and change the strings.
Hi Paul,,,,, If your skin has no rips or tears it should be Fine, so there's no real need to change it. If you are thinking that it sounds plinky, has the skin been tightened up recently, usually the tighter the skin is the more plinky it will sound. I've found the looser the skin is the more mellow it will sound, check around it and see if anything is loose. Have you got metal or nylon strings, see how high the are, has anything been done to it recently, you could just try changing the strings, good luck with it. Happy Strumming.
Is the head calfskin or synthetic? The kind of the bridge can make a difference too.
paulspafford There is plenty of non-judging help here. We have a Tuesday Morning Virtual Open Mike we sponsor to help fund our Live music unplugged venue. www.fiddlersdream.org. Zoom.com. Meeting ID 536 852 805. Password 027023. We live stream on Facebook so your friends could catch your contribution. Start time is 10:00 am Phoenix Time (MST). We use a one song rotation, sign in early before 10:00. Hundreds of new people will get to hear your work.
In the '70's and '80's I never gave a thought to new strings, nor anything nicer than a $50 USD garage sale banjo. I never did any setup, nor paid anyone to do it. I'm a songwriter, I write acoustic rock. I didn't learn to care well for my musical instruments until later in life, let's say.
I recently treated myself to some new Gotoh tuners from Bob Smakula who is a member here., After 13 years of building, I get new Amber knobs, too.
Also, Gold Tone Music Group.com has the Terminator tailpiece.
These two items and new strings would help project your thought in a more efficient manner. Less carpal tunnel
Now I mainstream Longneck banjo into bluegrass and other "forms" including new material, or older material with "Tribute" verses.
"Old Colonel Roosevelt got a brand new pair of britches.
He strode up San Juan Hill with American Sons of Very Fine Women." Baltimore to Washington
Many people may not understand the "unction." ( ):)==::]
You have it, now share more. And start doing just twenty pushups a day. You'll thank me later. We need your strength. see you Tuesday Morning??
Edited by - Helix on 02/05/2023 06:17:51
I got timed out. That's not a good Link to Gold Tone, take a look at the terminator. I'm using two of them.
First, I would never take one person's opinion as Gospel.
However, because you admit to hearing a bit of 'plink," your own thoughts indicate a possible change is needed.
The type of head you have now is important; a true skin, either calf or goat, will sound different than plastic. It is also important to check head tension and adjust that if necessary. Bridges and strings factor in, too.
To me, it sounds as if you need to look at the banjo "set-up" before considering new parts. Banjos do get out of whack after a while, just as cars need tune-ups and oil changes and a piano needs periodic tunings and adjustments, a banjo can slip a bit even when all the parts are still fine, and merely needs a better set-up.
when I click on Gold Tone link I get an error screen...can't reach the website !!
Writing is hard. The invitation to join our VOM requires NO donation, it's free. We've been closed for 2.75 years, so we took to the public who are our stakeholders.
We are all volunteer.org with 36 years in Phoenix.
On Zoom we get visitors from Canada, Texas, India, Israel, England and such. The 10 o'clock time is 5 pm in England.
5 string is also present.
Thanks for the feedback, y’all. Admittedly, I am overdue for a string change, so I suppose that could be the problem - and it’s probably been a couple years since someone last looked at the tension on the head. I’ll see if there’s anything I can do with that
This banjo is an entry-level Alabama. While I can’t say for sure what it is, I would assume that it’s a cheap plastic skin.
Larry, thanks for the virtual open stage invitation. That time is right in the middle of my workday, but I’ll make an effort to show up some time if I happen to be off at the right time.
quote:
Originally posted by paulspaffordI regularly play an open stage with my Irish tenor banjo; I accompany my vocals while picking/strumming the blues with a pick. It’s a cheap banjo (metal body, resonator removed), but I’ve always loved the tone. Another regular is a really good five-string player who plays old melodies clawhammer style.
While complimenting my playing recently, the five player told me that he thinks I need a new skin because my banjo was "sounding plinky". I have to admit, my tenor isn’t sounding as growly as it used to, but then he was recommending skins that would give it a much mellower tone like he gets.
While I’m willing to admit I don’t know anything on the subject (after seven years, it hadn’t occurred to me that I might need a skin), I’m looking for a brasher tone. Any recommendations? Bonus points if it doesn’t break the bank.
I highly recommend not to listen to 5 string only guys when it comes to tone. They have only one tone in their ear, and they think all banjos should sound like Earl Scruggs. (I'm not talking about you classic or jazz guys, so don't get butthurt).
"Plinky" means "short,Sharp,Metallic", so do not tighten the head. You love the sound, so changing it will make you less satisfied. Your friend wants a mellower sound. To satisfy the 5 stringer, you need to buy a better banjo. ?!?
quote:
Originally posted by majesty"Plinky" means "short,Sharp,Metallic", so do not tighten the head. You love the sound, so changing it will make you less satisfied. Your friend wants a mellower sound. To satisfy the 5 stringer, you need to buy a better banjo. ?!?
Thanks for the explanation. I just realized that I wasn't really sure of the definition of "plinky" so that's helpful. 
My tenor has a metallic body (I removed the wood resonator), so I guess it makes sense he'd find it a bit plinky while I love the way it growls. New strings should make it ring a bit better.
Could be winter tightened that head for you.
