Hey folks,
I have been playing this banjo for 4 years now and LOVE IT. I also play (and love, but thought about selling, then not..) an OME 2005 Sweetgrass openback. The Sweetgrass has much lower action, plays like butter. Which now makes the higher action on the Northstar feel, well, high. Especially when I play up the neck.
Bought 1/2" and 5/8" Snuffy Smith Bridges to try, one too low, the other too high still. So I'm thinking I need a 9/16"? It has a Sosebee bridge on it now, but I have not had any luck finding those.
I sure would appreciate Bridge and other recommendations!
Edited by - Comtngal on 09/24/2024 09:59:41
There are a lot of factors that go into action, and I'm not knowledgeable enough about open back banjos (wooden rod?) to comment on that. But: you could always take the "high" bridge and run the feet along some sandpaper until the action is exactly where you want it. You just gotta go slow and know when to stop...
Here's some easy ways to figure out what bridge height works best:
quote:
Originally posted by BigFiveChordThere are a lot of factors that go into action, and I'm not knowledgeable enough about open back banjos (wooden rod?) to comment on that. But: you could always take the "high" bridge and run the feet along some sandpaper until the action is exactly where you want it. You just gotta go slow and know when to stop...
I have done this many times. To check the action as you are sanding, unstring the banjo and lay a yardstick on the nut and bridge. That will tell you how high the strings will be. Remember to leave the bridge a tiny bit higher than you want the action to be because, when you tune the banjo up, the bridge will sink into the head a little bit.
A couple of random thoughts:
Bluegrass banjos are usually set up with lower action and lighter strings than openbacks.
Have you checked that the neck on the Northstar is tight on the rim, and its truss rod is adjusted for correct fingerboard relief? I think those have a dowel stick that functions as a co-rod-- If so, that might need some attention as well.
Thank you folks for your responses. I'll see what I can do!
