Hey all!
Got a question about how close my hand should be to the bridge. Everything I read and see indicates it should be pretty close. I look at the experts' banjos and there is a clear black spot right next to the bridge where they are putting their anchor finger(s). Their "pick scrape mark" is just above that. All very clear.
Now when *I* play there, I HATE the sound. Sounds all tinny and strangled. I play up a little closer to the neck and I think it sounds much fuller and genuine - like a banjo should!
I have a Gold Tone OB-250LW. Not a Cadillac of banjos, but not a slouch either.
I hope I've attached a picture of my banjo head so you can see the wear marks.
AI tells me to screw the experts and go with what I like! LOL! What do you folks think?
Looks like the picture didn't make it. I'll try again
Whatever floats yer boat - Bela and Noam pick far from the bridge
Let your ears guide you
Every banjo has a sweet spot . I find my flat heads seem to be somewhere in the middle. My Frank neat arch top , for what ever reason gets picks closer to the bridge.?! I agree it can sound tingy-ish . As stated above, let your ears be your guide . Best of luck .
quote:
Originally posted by BeowoulfAI tells me to screw the experts and go with what I like! LOL! What do you folks think?
Screw the experts and go with what you like.
When I play alone at home I want a mellower sound, so I also tend to play away from the bridge and close to the neck. I also play without my hearing aids. Often without picks. In a jam or gig I'll play everywhere from the bridge to the neck depending on the song, the volume of the ensemble, and what I feel like at the moment. Sometimes that close-to-the-bridge sound is what's called for. I wear my hearing aids at jams, with the listening program set to "Music" and the volume lowered a bit.
Decades ago when I'd keep a head long enough (and play enough) for it to develop worn spots from my fingers planted close to the bridge, I had evidence I was playing a lot in that position. I don't like worn heads, I don't play as much as I used, and I have more banjos, so none of my heads have those spots any more. Worn heads work fine. I just don't like the look. So I replace them.
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