Does anyone here have any experience in making these banjos sound better, or at least different? I want to like this instrument but it sounds like it has a trash can for a tone ring......
When you tune that low, you are not going to have the note definition and quick decay that you have in the upper registers. Try Hartford strings on an 11" bluegrass banjo, and you'll see the same effect. It's not the tone ring. With the pot that size, you also lose some focus, but volume of air it moves really fills out the low end. The ML Baritone does great for certain things. But you're really not going to cut the same same way, and I don't personally prefer it for bluegrass instrumental type picking. It does great for backup (esp vocals). When I played certain songs in C with a group, they actually preferred the ML to double C or G capoed at 5. I thought it occupied the same space as guitar, but others disagreed.
Edited by - Brian Murphy on 04/01/2023 06:27:26
I have quiet a few baritone vids on my you tube channels-- I actually came out with my home made one before Mr.Fleck was said to invent his--I have kept one tuned down to C for decades--
Anyway when gold tone's hit the market I shouted to my self those strings they suggest are way too big--I will have to check for sure and get back with you but I know the outside ones are plain 14s --also flatwound strings helps keep the ugly slides at bay on the wound ones--
I used a longer scale on mine to help it get down lower without such large strings--Since the goldtone is a regular gibson scale Only tuning it down to D is what I would tune the missing link to.
another note I think they set it up with some really tall bridge --which i didn't favor.
These will never be as loud as a masterclone but I play a lot of electric music and when put thru a good amp they fit the electric sound --much better than a master clone--
of course this all falls under personal taste a lot==I'll link a couple of vids
btw they are great for changing keys of a good arrangement
most of the time I have mine capoed at second fret thus playing in D instead of C
youtube.com/@burningdaylight--...=baritone
Edited by - Tractor1 on 04/01/2023 06:51:30
