Basic Banjo Setup
Added 2018-03-15 12:00:00 +0000 UTCBefore we can dive into any of the more advanced techniques that involve noting the banjo above the fifth fret, it's necessary to understand a little bit of the geometry involved in the layout of the frets, strings and bridge.
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Comments
Clifton, thank you for posting this video. I just put a new bridge in my banjo, and went about this a different way. We got to the same result, but through different means. I'm definitely going to use a measuring tape next time to get things lined up initially! I set mine up by trying to apply the technique for setting the intonation on an electric guitar. On an electric guitar, you typically have little tiny adjustable screws on the bridge for each individual string, which allow you to fine tune the bridge on a string by string basis. However, you can't just nudge the entire bridge with your hand. The generally accepted technique there is to compare the note from the open string, the same string at the 12th fret, and the harmonic at the 12th fret. The fretted note at the 12th fret should be identical to the harmonic, which is also at the 12th fret. And both of those should be exactly one octave above the open string. The open string is what it is, but by making small adjustments to the screw on the bridge, you can bring the fretted note and the harmonic closer together by turning it the right way. Sometimes people use really precise electronic tuners to get them lined up very precisely. So, for the banjo, what I did was to compare the open string, the 12th fret, and the harmonic. Then I would try to nudge the bridge angle to be more or less angular to get the all of the strings perfectly in tune. This is a long winded way of saying that the angle of the bridge does make a difference, but it is sometimes a little bit of a compromise because you have five strings, but only one piece of wood to adjust.
Nathan Rosenquist
2018-03-16 03:46:19 +0000 UTCSomebody told me that the 3rd string is never fully in-tune; to compensate for this you want to position the bridge so that the 3rd string runs slightly longer than 1st. Hence all those "compensated" bridges with the little scooped-out place at the 3rd string slot. Even though the bridge on this banjo is a "compensated" one I still cock the bridge like I always do.
Clifton Hicks
2018-03-16 01:54:17 +0000 UTCVery useful. Never thought that much into bridge positioning. What’s the purpose of tilting the bridge?
Patrick Campbell
2018-03-16 01:05:21 +0000 UTCSecond, your basic banjo set up tips have made my banjo sound true. I also purchased a new bridge with ebony wood and together it has made a world of difference on what is a cheap ass no name banjo!
jason k.
2018-03-15 19:04:21 +0000 UTCClifton-First thanks for making this community possible. The amount of information, tips and history surrounding the music we love has been inspirational, keep it going. I have become a better picker because of you.
jason k.
2018-03-15 19:01:18 +0000 UTCWhat Clifton is explaining here applies only to FRETTED BANJOS and making the intonation of the banjo work right with the Frets. If you have a fretless banjo you have a bit more freedom to set up the banjo especially where to place the bridge.
Tony Thomas
2018-03-15 17:54:26 +0000 UTCSetup is the most neglected thing in banjo playing. Learning to do it on your banjo is important. It can make any banjo seem golden if done right. I had George Gibson visit my home about 8 years ago, and he would not stop adjusting the bridges of the banjos I had. But every one sounded golden so golden I did not want to change the strings or anything until long past their time, even the Goodtime basic model RB I had. At the same time I have seen others who go crazy adjusting their banjos too much switching bridges and strings and all and thinking doing that when they need to be picking the banjo
Tony Thomas
2018-03-15 17:46:59 +0000 UTC
