Myth: The Tailpiece Should Be Tightened Down As Far As Possible
There are many myths surrounding the banjo that are repeated on line, in conversations and even in magazines. Some of these myths have been repeated so often that they have become “folklore” or “legends” or what is worse, “assumed to be fact.” Some myths are purely false, some are “not the whole story” and some reflect a subjective opinion, but are not fact and some…well, you can be the judge.
SUBJECTIVE: When the tailpiece is strong and adjustable, it can be adjusted to increase string pressure downward on the bridge, or it can be adjusted to have a neutral effect on the downward pressure on the bridge. Having the tailpiece not put increased downward pressure on the bridge means that has a neutral effect on string pressure. Adjusting the tailpiece closer to the head of the banjo increases the downward pressure of the strings on the bridge and increases the angle of the strings to the back side of the bridge. Adjusting the tailpiece down as low as possible makes the banjo sound sharper, will a little less sustain. The neutral setting, no increased pressure, is the mellowest adjustment possible for the tone.
Some great bluegrass players keep their tailpiece in a neutral or just slightly below neutral setting. Some players have their tailpiece adjusted down as far as possible for the sharpest sound. This is purely a matter of personal choice…one setting is not better than another. They are different.
We will address many more "myths" in future emails. Stay tuned....
