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Forums > Music: Banjo

Banjo of mystery!

fanch-t	Date: August 27, 2004 @ 11:41 AM Okay, so. I found this banjo in a thrift store on day for around $20. Aside from a stamp on the headstock that says model Japan there are no other markings. Maybe a serial number. What I'd like to figure out is a proper position for the bridge so that this banjo can sound as good as anyother $20 thrift store banjo. I would think there has to be some sort of mathematical formula like ratio of nut-to-butt length and the diameter of the body. Probably the thing is gonna flop outta tune every 17 seconds anyway. Any help would be raisin bread.
boots2004	Date: August 28, 2004 @ 10:29 AM tune it to the first 4 or 5 strings on the guitar the you can play it with guitar chords as i do on Dixie By Boots and Phantom
zedsalt	Date: August 29, 2004 @ 11:30 AM Nut to 12th fret equals 12th fret to bridge. Have fun!
gstring	Date: October 1, 2004 @ 4:54 PM zedsalt is correct..once you have the bridge at that placement...create harmonics on the 12th fret and then finger the 12th fret..if the second sound is sharp the bridge should be moved slightly to the tailpiece...if the second sounds is slightly flat, move it closer to the neck..some bridges will need a slight turn counterclockwise to compensate for the third (G) string. Hope it helps.. Also the height of the tailpiece and the tightness of the head will greatly affect tone.