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Hello I just switched to an AMG ECB pickup (use to have the Jones Hatfield - sounded great, but the 1/8" headphone jack was really unreliable on stage and eventually gave out), and it's currently mounted on the two brackets below the tailpiece. Anybody have any experience with using a strap on their banjo with one of these installed?
I'm currently using a clip on leather strap with it clipped below the AMG jack, but the strap sometimes shifts and tugs on the cable or even turns down the volume knob
I'm specifically hoping to buy a Lakota cradle strap, and wondering if anyone knows if the strap will fit in the space between the pot and the pickup-jack-bracket. Thanks!
-Nick
Edited by - NickPug on 03/15/2025 11:41:12
That’s a tricky one, because it depends on the width of the cradle strap at that point, plus the gap left between the flange underside of the head when tightened down (or is that up?). I have one an EMG pick up on one of my instruments, but I opted for a non cradle strap on that one to avoid this problem, which is compounded by the clamping piece needed on the inner side of the banjo brackets.
quote:
Originally posted by NickPugHello I just switched to an AMG ECB pickup (use to have the Jones Hatfield - sounded great, but the 1/8" headphone jack was really unreliable on stage and eventually gave out), and it's currently mounted on the two brackets below the tailpiece. Anybody have any experience with using a strap on their banjo with one of these installed?
I'm currently using a clip on leather strap with it clipped below the AMG jack, but the strap sometimes shifts and tugs on the cable or even turns down the volume knob
I'm specifically hoping to buy a Lakota cradle strap, and wondering if anyone knows if the strap will fit in the space between the pot and the pickup-jack-bracket. Thanks!
-Nick
No idea whether it will work with the Lakota cradle strap, but I have my EMG jack placed more toward the underside of the banjo (below where the strap would attach, so there is no interference in that regard).
Side question: I recently got a Jones-Hatfield pickup for another banjo (thanks Jon, if you're reading this), and I'm having significant issues with buzz (Jon the previous owner installed a ground wire, which helps, but it is still bad enough that I don't think it would be useable in a live situation). Did you run into this issue, and if so, any solutions? I agree that the 1/8" jack is totally stupid and if I end up wanting to use it, I'd probably figure out a way to wire it to a Fishman jack or something.
quote:
Originally posted by banjobob36My Lakota banjo cradle strap easily slides under all the brackets.
Do you have the Lakota going underneath: an ACB pickup jack-mount, as well? Thanks
quote:
Originally posted by Keith Billikquote:
Originally posted by NickPugHello I just switched to an AMG ECB pickup (use to have the Jones Hatfield - sounded great, but the 1/8" headphone jack was really unreliable on stage and eventually gave out), and it's currently mounted on the two brackets below the tailpiece. Anybody have any experience with using a strap on their banjo with one of these installed?
I'm currently using a clip on leather strap with it clipped below the AMG jack, but the strap sometimes shifts and tugs on the cable or even turns down the volume knob
I'm specifically hoping to buy a Lakota cradle strap, and wondering if anyone knows if the strap will fit in the space between the pot and the pickup-jack-bracket. Thanks!
-NickNo idea whether it will work with the Lakota cradle strap, but I have my EMG jack placed more toward the underside of the banjo (below where the strap would attach, so there is no interference in that regard).
Side question: I recently got a Jones-Hatfield pickup for another banjo (thanks Jon, if you're reading this), and I'm having significant issues with buzz (Jon the previous owner installed a ground wire, which helps, but it is still bad enough that I don't think it would be useable in a live situation). Did you run into this issue, and if so, any solutions? I agree that the 1/8" jack is totally stupid and if I end up wanting to use it, I'd probably figure out a way to wire it to a Fishman jack or something.
quote:
Originally posted by Keith Billikquote:
Originally posted by NickPugHello I just switched to an AMG ECB pickup (use to have the Jones Hatfield - sounded great, but the 1/8" headphone jack was really unreliable on stage and eventually gave out), and it's currently mounted on the two brackets below the tailpiece. Anybody have any experience with using a strap on their banjo with one of these installed?
I'm currently using a clip on leather strap with it clipped below the AMG jack, but the strap sometimes shifts and tugs on the cable or even turns down the volume knob
I'm specifically hoping to buy a Lakota cradle strap, and wondering if anyone knows if the strap will fit in the space between the pot and the pickup-jack-bracket. Thanks!
-NickNo idea whether it will work with the Lakota cradle strap, but I have my EMG jack placed more toward the underside of the banjo (below where the strap would attach, so there is no interference in that regard).
Side question: I recently got a Jones-Hatfield pickup for another banjo (thanks Jon, if you're reading this), and I'm having significant issues with buzz (Jon the previous owner installed a ground wire, which helps, but it is still bad enough that I don't think it would be useable in a live situation). Did you run into this issue, and if so, any solutions? I agree that the 1/8" jack is totally stupid and if I end up wanting to use it, I'd probably figure out a way to wire it to a Fishman jack or something.
Keith,
I originally placed the jack towards the underside (floor side) of the banjo, but was worried I was stretching the wires too much. I may try this position again!
As for the Jones pickup, I had that same issue with buzzing and never solved it. I never got around to trying the ground wire method, but my baggs Venue DI has a ground/lift switch, and when it was set to ground the buzzing was slightly less bad, but still very present.
It was strange. For 2 of my bands, the buzzing was noticable, but hardly bad enough for the audience to complain or to be a hindrance to our playing. But in the 3rd band, for some reason the buzzing was really bad and our sound guy was not happy with me lol. In that same band, the sound would actually cut in and out as the cable moved, so I think the weak construction of the jack gave out after pushing a 1/4" cable+1/8" adapter in and out of it too many times. So I gave up, shelved it, and opted for the AMG ECB. Too bad, the JH sounded great otherwise. A sturdy 1/4" jack like the fishman would be a gamechanger
P.S. big fan of your Picky Fingers podcast! after listening to your tonedexter shootout episode, I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on a tonedexter - that sounds is incredible for a direct-in!! I really appreciate the different combinations you provided and presentation of each. We really live in a great time for acoustic tone
Cheers
Keith,
I originally placed the jack towards the underside (floor side) of the banjo, but was worried I was stretching the wires too much. I may try this position again!
As for the Jones pickup, I had that same issue with buzzing and never solved it. I never got around to trying the ground wire method, but my baggs Venue DI has a ground/lift switch, and when it was set to ground the buzzing was slightly less bad, but still very present.
It was strange. For 2 of my bands, the buzzing was noticable, but hardly bad enough for the audience to complain or to be a hindrance to our playing. But in the 3rd band, for some reason the buzzing was really bad and our sound guy was not happy with me lol. In that same band, the sound would actually cut in and out as the cable moved, so I think the weak construction of the jack gave out after pushing a 1/4" cable+1/8" adapter in and out of it too many times. So I gave up, shelved it, and opted for the AMG ECB. Too bad, the JH sounded great otherwise. A sturdy 1/4" jack like the fishman would be a gamechanger
P.S. big fan of your Picky Fingers podcast! after listening to your tonedexter shootout episode, I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on a tonedexter - that sounds is incredible for a direct-in!! I really appreciate the different combinations you provided and presentation of each. We really live in a great time for acoustic tone
Cheers
Thanks man!
The EMG ACB Barrel + ToneDexter is a great combo, you'll love it.