GENERAL CATEGORIES:
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
1. Strings - the wrapping can come loose on the wound strings and give you a subtle buzz; this can be especially true of 6-string and 12-string banjos. Replace the strings if needed.
2. Action height
A. Action Too low: If it is less than 1/8” at the 22nd fret it is too low.
To adjust this:
Check head tension; if bridge is in a “valley” it is too soft. Tighten the
banjo head.
Check neck relief using truss rod test if you have a Deering upper line banjo; Goodtime banjos do not have a truss rod in the neck; see maintenance manual at http://www.deeringbanjos.com/book/2 , page 15. If the neck is
too flat, you will get buzzing. Follow directions on pg. 16 to adjust
the relief using the truss rod.
B. Action Too High:
Neck has pulled away: Check the bottom of the heel. If the neck has pulled away from the rim, tighten the neck using the coordinator rod in the pot.
If the neck won’t tighten, the hanger bolts could be stripped. This can happen
if the co-rod has been cranked too tight. Call factory for advice.
Use Coordinator rod to lower action; see pg. 17 of manual. If the co-rod adjustment
has reached its limit, contact the factory at 800-845-7791.
3. The Bridge: A bridge buzz sounds like a sitar-like whine/annoying twang. You will need to check the bridge slots to make sure they are not binding the string or you may need to change the bridge angle. You will need a very fine file. The bridge angle is down and back toward the tailpiece. Do not DEEPEN the slot. If there is a burr, clean it out with the file or adjust the angle.
4. The Nut: If the string buzzes with the string played open but not fretted, you may have to work with the nut.
5. Fret condition: Frets are usually made of nickel silver and banjo strings are usually made of steel.
6. Tailpiece:
7. Armrest:
8. Loose hardware: The banjo is a playing ground (no pun intended) for many metal parts. These can rattle or buzz when you play. Check the nuts on the coordinator rods, the bracket shoes and nuts, a possible loose tuning peg. In other words, make it all ship shape!!
9. Tools: There are some basic tools you need to have on hand to adjust your banjo. Some you will have in your home/shop tool kits. If not, you may find what you need at our online store.
YOU CAN DO IT! Don’t hesitate to try these very basic tips on buzzing. YOU CAN DO IT! Making banjo more fun to play and giving you the information you need to do that is what I am trying to do. Have more buzzing tips? Send them to me so I can share them with everyone else.
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Many folks mark their bridge placement with a pencil line. This is fine for a starting point, but you must always use the harmonics for final bridge placement. You should check bridge placement when you install new strings, at minimum. Checking it periodically is a good idea. It helps develop your use of the “harmonics” technique and this is a technique used in songs as well. Head tightening will move the banjo head membrane so you should again double check your bridge placement when you are finished tightening the head or when you change the banjo head. Once you hear the difference in the sound…and you WILL hear it…with good bridge placement, you will be happy to make the adjustment.
Below are the directions for bridge placement from our maintenance manual that is available http://www.deeringbanjos.com/support/maintenance-manuals. You will find these and many other great things to help with seting up your banjo in the manuals which are available as a free download.
HOW TO SET THE BRIDGE
1. For an approximate setting, place the bridge perpendicular to the strings - 26 3/16” from the nut, in spite of the 26 1/4” fret scale length(these measurements are for a standard length 5-string banjo), because strings do not vibrate according to the exact calculations of physics. A general starting point on any banjo is to place the bridge the same distance away from the 12th fret as the nut is from the 12th fret.
2. To get the bridge set exactly, use harmonics: On the first and fourth strings, play the 12th fret harmonic by lightly touching the string above the 12th fret while plucking the string. This should ring clearly, and is called harmonics or sometimes referred to as "chimes". It is o.k. if your bridge is not exactly perpendicular to the strings.
]]>I have a couple of new tips on cleaning using materials that may be more close at hand as well as the “tried and true” tips of previous articles. There should be something for everyone!
It can be had for less than $10 a bottle in most locations.
One tube will last forever. I used it once on a customer’s very old and sad looking hardware and I was amazed that the shine came back!
GENERAL TIPS AFTER CLEANING:
These tips should help you keep the banjo in good shape. Once they become routine, you will do them without even thinking of them as “cleaning chores.” Enjoy your time playing and just invest a little in cleaning…its more fun that way!
To ask a question or find more tips, go to our Customer Support Forum!
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