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Originally posted by O.D.

Hi Bolster team
I'm curious how the bolster stays in place in a variety of locations within the pot ?
I'm seriously considering the bolster for my two open backs
Thanks
E

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Hi E,

We have a page titled "How to Configure the Banjo Bolster for Optimum Tone" on our site that features two videos where I demonstrate the most popular configuration options.  

Please check it out and if you have any additional questions I'll be happy to help.

Ric

Thanks Ric

As a long-time bluegrass picker, I’ve always been aware of unpleasant overtones. To my ears, this occurs while picking without anchoring any fingers. I believe that in addition to providing hand stability, anchoring one or two fingers eliminates these unwanted overtones and gives the banjo its characteristic bluegrass sound. Clawhammer players, however, usually play without head contact so I can understand the need for another means to “tame” the overtones. Pete Seeger recommended a cloth diaper. I guess a sock or something similar would do the trick so perhaps the device being advertised here works as well, but bluegrass pickers have no need for it as long as at least one finger is anchored.

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Originally posted by Bronx banjo

As a long-time bluegrass picker, I’ve always been aware of unpleasant overtones. To my ears, this occurs while picking without anchoring any fingers. I believe that in addition to providing hand stability, anchoring one or two fingers eliminates these unwanted overtones and gives the banjo its characteristic bluegrass sound. Clawhammer players, however, usually play without head contact so I can understand the need for another means to “tame” the overtones. Pete Seeger recommended a cloth diaper. I guess a sock or something similar would do the trick so perhaps the device being advertised here works as well, but bluegrass pickers have no need for it as long as at least one finger is anchored.

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Hi Bronx Banjo,

I know where you're coming from on this and when we invented the Banjo Bolster we were absolutely focusing on open back banjos. But, we have made 100's of bolsters for seasoned bluegrass players to use specifically with their bluegrass resonator banjos and the feedback has been 100% positive. 

Here's an example review from a BG player that goes into detail about how the Banjo Bolster improved his already awesome banjo's tone:

“Ric and Deb, thank you for the Banjo Bolster that recently arrived. The construction is innovative, in the sense that if the interior dimensions are measured correctly, it will stay put. 

Secondly, based on your instructive suggestions toward Resonator Banjos, the variations of placement open up a whole new world of tone alternatives. Ranging for a nuanced change, to more dramatic, the overall effect of note decay and note separation, so sought after by pros, is wonderful. 

It used to be all setup…..string gauges, bridge weights, and heads……but now any Resonator Five-String Banjo will benefit from the Banjo Bolster. 

If you are a Stanley nut and like lots of ring, then you can literally tailor the amount of ring and note separation. If you like flat heads, you can essentially accentuate the bottom end or top end to your liking and getting that Scruggs note separation on even fast songs. 

Then it opens up the use of lighter gauge strings, 9’s, 9.5’, or 10’s on the 1st and 5th, but with the ability to boost the bottom or top end for that balanced EQ across the strings. 

Truly a ground breaker for Resonator Banjos! 

Regards, 

E.E.G.” 
 

I encourage you to take some time and read through our Customer Testimonials. You will find many from bluegrass players. 

With regard to the Banjo Bolster being the same as conventional stuffing methods, I can assure you that is not the case.  Unlike these methods the Banjo Bolster transparently removes undesirable overtones, while preserving the full power and frequency response of the instrument. It works incredibly well without having to make ANY contact with the head. 

Here is a quote from David Politzer on Banjo Hangout:

“Recently, Ric Hollander invented a gizmo, which his wife now fabricates and they sell: https://banjobolster.com/. 

It works to an astonishing degree to damp the metallic overtones and not the musical ones -- and has virtually NOTHING in common with the sponges, rags, and socks that people stuff between the head and dowel stick or co-rod at the neck.”

- David Politzer  Pasadena, CA
(Banjo player and Richard Chace Tolman Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology. David was awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics with David Gross and Frank Wilczek for their discovery of asymptotic freedom in quantum chromodynamics. He also does fascinating research into the physics of the banjo!)

Here's an excerpt from a blog post by Patrick David Sawyer Founder/CEO of the acclaimed Pisgah Banjo Company:

“As a banjo builder, I spend a lot of time thinking about tone. Wood choice, rim depth, tone ring combinations, head tension—every element plays a role in shaping the voice of an instrument. And while I’m proud of the banjos we build at Pisgah, I’m always looking for ways to help players get even more out of them. 

That’s why I want to talk about a small but powerful upgrade that I believe every Pisgah banjo owner should consider: the Banjo Bolster. Designed by Ric and Deb Hollander, the Banjo Bolster is a thoughtfully engineered tone enhancer that rests snugly between the dowel stick and the rim—and here’s the most important part: it never touches the head.

That alone sets it apart. This is the only product on the market that offers this kind of tone control without interfering with the banjo head itself. Unlike tone-dampening products that rest directly on the head—often muting the instrument, deadening the response, and distorting the banjo’s natural voice—the Banjo Bolster takes a different approach. It respects the head’s natural vibrations, working in harmony with them rather than suppressing them. The result is a clearer, more articulate sound, as it gently tames excess overtones without sacrificing the banjo’s true character."
(Read the full review on our site)

We also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason your not delighted with your Banjo Bolster you can return it for a refund.

Ric

I forgot to mention that we have Before/After recordings on our site so you can hear the difference between conventional stuffing methods and the Banjo Bolster.  You can find that here: https://banjobolster.com/pages/hear-the-difference-a-banjo-bolster-can-make

Just came across this thread. I love gadgets like these - I'll be sure to pick one up the next time I'm back in the States.

I'm curious: is there something specific about polyester or the type of polyester filling you use that contributes to its acoustic qualities? Or is it more that it's a readily available material?

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Originally posted by Mickhammer

Just came across this thread. I love gadgets like these - I'll be sure to pick one up the next time I'm back in the States.

I'm curious: is there something specific about polyester or the type of polyester filling you use that contributes to its acoustic qualities? Or is it more that it's a readily available material?

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Hi Mickhammer,

We tested a wide variety of fabrics and fill types and found that there was a substantial difference not only in tone but also  adjustability of the device  The combination of our custom made cotton poplin outer shell fabric and internal polyester fibers produced the best results  and was a clear winner.  The amount of fill (which we calculate in grams) also plays a key role. Feel free to check out our Patent for more info.

Ric

I mistakenly said we measure the internal fibers in grams. We actually measure in tenths of a gram to assure the highest degree of accuracy and consistency.

Also... I thought "Mickhammer" was kind of clever, but "Frailblazer" takes the win!

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Originally posted by Mickhammer

Also... I thought "Mickhammer" was kind of clever, but "Frailblazer" takes the win!

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Mickhammer is a good one! :-)

We received a wonderful email today from a happy customer in France.  He requested a rush order because he was going to be leaving town at the end of the week and wanted to be home to receive it, if possible. 

Our goal is to get you your Banjo Bolster as quickly as possible. Every Banjo Bolster is custom made for each order we receive and ships in about three weeks, sooner if possible. But, there are times when a customer needs a rush delivery, and we always strive to accommodate that request. Please note, that we accomplish this by working in the evenings and weekends, assuring that nobody's delivery is pushed back as a result.

Please read Rainier's email/customer testimonial below:

"Hi Ric, The package just arrived this morning — holy cow, man, that was lightning fast! Huge thanks for making it happen so quickly.

Everything showed up in perfect shape. The four Banjo Bolsters are gorgeous and they work like a dream. I put the first one on my Dobson TR banjo right away and… damn, Ric. The sound has literally NEVER been this good. It’s fuller, rounder, more alive — it’s a total game-changer. I’m grinning like an idiot over here.

Thank you so, so much for the fast build, the express shipping, the $6 refund, and especially for the insane quality of your work. You’ve made one French banjo player ridiculously happy today.

You got it, Ric… and you absolutely nailed it! And please tell Deb she’s a superhero. Working through a huge batch and still getting mine out that fast? That’s next-level dedication. You two are a hell of a team.

My yellow banjo is still grinning ear to ear every time I pick it up. I swear it sounds happier than it has in 20 years.

Thanks again to both of you — you’ve got a customer for life here.

All my thanks, Rainier"

- Rainier Lanselle   Vinezac, France

Best regards,

Ric & Deb
BanjoBolster.com

Out of curiosity, how much did it cost to ship these to France? (asking for my wife, who'd appreciate me having one!)

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Originally posted by Mickhammer

Out of curiosity, how much did it cost to ship these to France? (asking for my wife, who'd appreciate me having one!)

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Hi Mickey,

Thanks for your (and your wife's) interest in the Banjo Bolster!  We offer two international shipping options, as follows:

USPS First Class Package International
Average Cost to France: €21.00
Average days to delivery: 7

DHL Express Worldwide
Average Cost to France: €44.00
Average days to delivery: 3

Each of the examples above are current and each customer ordered multiple Banjo Bolsters, which increased the package weight. Please bear in mind that we have no control over the shipping costs. They are determined by the delivery service based on the destination address and the package weight.

During the ordering process on our website you will be able to see the exact cost before completing your order.  I know it's expensive compared to an average cost to ship in the us of around $6.  You might want to consider teaming up with some of your banjo playing friends to combine your purchase into a single order. This would allow you to share the shipping cost.  Just an idea...

Best regards,

Ric

Deb and I wish everyone at Banjo Hangout

a very Happy and Healthy New Year!