An unusually dry and warm day in late September on the west coast of Ireland

Hi folks,

I have a (tenor) banjo-related problem that I'd like help with from someone more experienced with the instrument. The issue is sympathetic resonance on my brand-new Gold Tone tenor banjo (IT-250).

When I pluck a string of the instrument there is a lot of noise coming from sympathetic resonance of the unpicked open strings. This is to be expected from any stringed instrument, especially the banjo where the bridge sits on top of a vibrating drumhead. The beat-up vintage Eko banjo I picked up has this problem and I'm not surprised that the Gold Tone has it.

What I am surprised by is just how utterly disharmonic the resonant echo is on the Gold Tone is (sound sample attached when I pluck the B note on the A-string) and how much it tends to accumulate and dominate the sound of the instrument. The issue appears to be less if I mute the open strings or if I lightly touch the bridge to hinder the transfer of vibrations, but it doesn't seem to go away.

Is this something that can be fixed by tweaking the instrument's set-up, e.g. by changing the tension on the skin, weight/height of the bridge, gauge of the strings? Or is this indicative of poor build quality or some issue with the instrument that I bought?

• Gold Tone - Disharmonic Resonance
• Eko - Unproblematic Resonance

I just got a tenor banjo and I have it strung with an irish string set (12-36) and I have noticed that the first five frets especially on the lower strings go sharp very easily when I press them down. So my question is if it's something I can fix or if I just have to work on my playing technique and make sure I'm playing lightly with my fretting hand.

I have one of those cheap Gold Tone AC-4 composite tenor banjos; I really like the lightweight slim design, and the relative quietness suits my apartment life. The sound is certainly good enough for me. I bought the CGDA one but recently tried putting GDAE strings on it for Irish playing (D'Aaddario nickle-plated steel 36-24-16-12). They sound significantly worse, really boingy like a sitar/sarod or something. Could this be a result of them not really fitting in the narrower nut and bridge grooves that are sized for the CGDA strings? If I got the same banjo but set up specifically for GDAE, would it sound like my CGDA one, just lower?

I lucked into a steal of a deal on a Gold Tone AC-4IT that I couldn’t pass up. I’m still getting over feeling apocryphal using a pick on a banjo, but I’m having a lot of fun playing all the Irish mandolin tunes I know.

I purchased some Gold Tone planetary tuners with the intent to swap them out with the stock tuners, but despite their website saying they are a great upgrade for “any banjo,” especially with “guitar-style tuners,” they don’t fit.

I called Gold Tone this morning and initiated a return hoping they had some planetaries that would work with this model, but sadly they do not.

The tuners I ordered are for a 10mm (3/8”) shaft, and they told me the AC-4IT’s shaft was 1/4”. Does anyone know of any planetaries this size? I realize the AC lines are not high-end banjos, but I really dislike guitar-style tuners and always end up customizing my banjos over time.

I’ve checked Sweetwater and a few other vendors and can’t find any the right size. I suppose I could drill out the holes a little more, but I’d rather avoid that if I can.

Thanks in advance.

An English tune written by Northumbrian piper Tom Clough

Hello, all. Firstly, I have to say this is one of my favorite subs. Seeing/hearing folks share their skills, experiences, and some great music has been a lot of fun.

I recently picked up an Irish Tenor Banjo and have been practicing scales and recently started learning chords, but I’m unsure of what play style I should be aiming towards at my current (beginner) level. I’ve played bass and guitar for a number of years, all more rhythmic than leads and I feel like my finger dexterity is lacking quite a bit for banjo if I want to play it beyond simple strumming or root note picking. I want to play along in my friends’ folksy-type band with a combination of picking and strumming (not all songs sound like they need picking). I’m unsure what style I should focus on as a 4-stringer.

My questions: is there a more straightforward style that I can learn to get things going, or should I go straight for a more complicated (considering my current ability) style now? Should I keep the gdae tuning or will it serve me to do a different tuning?

Also, any tips/tricks/drills for gaining the dexterity I’m after?

I realize my question may be misguided and looking at the wrong goal, so feel free to note if I need to adjust my aim.

(Pic: banjo I purchased. I’m not an expert, but I’m quite surprised at how good it feels/sounds as an entry level banjo.)

I have been buying strings from Just Strings as long as I can remember. I buy a dozen each of individual strings for 5 guitars, 4 tenor banjos, 4 five strings, an Irish bouzouki, 4 mandolins, and a synth mandolin.

I always buy a dozen single strings at a time and get exactly what I need. Especially for the loop end instruments.

I was devastated to discover they shut down recently and I have tried all the other online string vendors and none sell strings in dozen packs. I typically purchase loop end Phosphor Bronze from .017 to .036. If I purchase the individually packed string on offer, I will end up paying double.

Any suggestions for an online source of stings by the dozen?

Thanks,

Bob

Just a nice few chords I picked out on the day after my wife and I went and saw Billy Strings for the first time. Not rolling like Billy Flailing yet, stilling enjoying strumming purdy chords so I hope y'all would enjoy too!

One of the reels that hold the Toss the Feathers title

I'm itching for an instrument because I've been without for one for some years now after moving internationally and not being able to carry one with me. I previously had a 5 string banjo but just gave it to my friend cause I couldn't deal with trying to bring it over.

And anyway, as much as I like the banjo I don't think the 5 string is the type for me. I tried both finger picking and clawhammer but I think I prefer strumming and simpler picking, which from what I've seen seems better suited to the 4 string banjo? Some artists that I really enjoy now have 4 string banjos and do simple picking with a pick or fingers, or straight up strum and I really like that simplicity.

I think the first question I have is about the different types of 4 strings. When I search where I live, Irish tenor banjo seems to be the most common which makes sense since I am in close proximity to Ireland. Though when I posted something to this sub about a tenor banjo video I had to choose between jazz and Irish tenor. So I know of at least two types. What are the differences?

Is it safe to say I can have a nice time with a 4 string and strumming/plucking?

It was my great grandfathers banjo, so I’m assuming it’s dated late 1800s to early 1900s. I know Vega uses a star logo so that’s what I was thinking but I can’t find anything similar. And I don’t think it’s a buckbee because of the head shape. I’d love to know more about it!

I'm looking to get lessons in tenor banjo. Near me they offer banjo and mandolin lessons but the banjo teacher does not know how to play Irish Tenor. Would taking the 5 string banjo lessons be helpful in learning, or would it be better to take mandolin classes and apply them to tenor banjo?

On my trusty Bulas tenor banjo

I came into an old Fairbanks/Vega Style M (Tu-Ba-Phone) tenor. The serial number and headstock inlay places it around 1921-1923 but I haven't nailed down its birthday yet (https://www.deeringbanjos.com/en-ca/pages/vega-banjo-serial-numbers suggests it's 1921). The serial numbers are also in kinda rough shape so it makes me raise an eyebrow.

It's 17 frets of goodness, and if I've measured the scale length correctly, this puppy is small - 19 3/4 inches (I measured 9 7/8 inches from the inside of the nut to the 12th fret) and then it's pretty close to 20 inches where I have the bridge right now trying to get this thing in tune. Usually I'm seeing these things at around 21 inch scale length so I'm a little surprised to see my little guy come up so short. I found out that other 17 fret short scales (like the Gold Tone IT-250 https://goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/instruments/it-250) come in at 19 3/4 inches so maybe it's not so weird?

Anyway. Oddities aside, I want to put new strings on this thing. It's in GDAE (Irish) tuning. Any consderations for what gauges I should put on one this short? I'm considering the D'Addario EJ63i (12/16/24/36) but I'm open to recommendations. Thanks!

A Swedish tune mid setup

Question is in the title.

Basically I play in a pretty loud band, lots of members, and play through some pretty whacky synth sounds at various points on the set, so anti feedback is a priority.

I’m currently running the EMG ACB humbucker. It’s pretty good in terms of feedback, but the tone and noise floor leave a lot to be desired.

Tone I can deal with. It sounds pretty unnatural, but I can eq it to get pretty close to where I need it, but the pickup has a constant hiss that I can’t get rid of.

Anyone have experience with this pickup and swap out for something else?

I was looking at the Fishman humbucker, and Goldtone sliding humbucker. Can anyone attest to the noise level on these?

Transducers are out as they pick up too much vibration through the banjo head. Makes the effects unusable.

Thanks for any responses.

Some warm up picking on my Jim Patton openback tenor.

Caha Mountains reel composed by John Dwyer on my Bulas tenor banjo