Hi,
I got a second hand Gold Tone AC-4 last week, and been practicing a lot. I noticed a pain in my left shoulder.
I never got that while playing guitar or bouzouki. The AC-4 composite-rim open-back banjo is pretty light, and I've mainly been playing seated.
I thought maybe it was because of the strap and its particular angle on my shoulder, toward the banjo rim (below the neck), and moving it to the next hook didn't help. I then tried to attach it with a shoelace behind the nut on the headstock, and it seems better for my shoulder. My left arm is more free and relaxed.
Why don't we see this more often (except because it's a bit ugly)? I've looked around a bit, but most of the answers have to do with the weight of the resonators and thinness and supposedly fragility of the neck. Given the lightness of the banjo, I'm not too worried (wrongly?).
Thanks
(I also have slight discomfort while playing standing, where the edge of the rim presses on my chest, but I think a piece of rubber will do the job)
Edited by - kqpout on 02/06/2025 15:02:10
