String 5 plinky

[Steve Jeter]

  I have a problem w/ the 5th string ringing out too much in a shrill manner. I am using a esay attack,, would a larger diameter string help?   I t is distracting and doesnt fit.

 thanks

[Rob Morrison]

Steve--

One way to skin this cat is to put a sleeve around the 5th string right where it crosses the 5th string post.  Just strip the insulation off a suitably gauged electrical wire and slide it on to your string.  About a qurter inch is a good length.

Make sure the string isn't too loose inside the sheath and extend the sleeve a bit past the post.  This should mute the string a bit.  I use this trick on some of my steel stringed instruments, but haven't tried it on gut strings before.  Two other methods are to super glue a bit of rawhide on to the 5th string post and put a groove in it for the string to pass over.  Also some people slip a bit of paper under the string on the post.

Hope this helps.

Rob Morrison

[Steve Jeter]

 I guess your right . When I started on steel string banjo a few mo. ago , my thumb was too weak, Then I started  really  plucking at it
 now its hard to control, something to work on.

 thanks
Dan'l said:

Steve -

 

I realize that you feel you are using an easy attack, but isn't it obvious that you're impacting / pulling-off  the chanterelle with your thumb too hard? I can say that only because I was into the bad habit myself, and had to realize that the touch of the thumb, is, well, the touch of the thumb. I had to give up on the easy solutions - as a techie guy I tend go to them first.

 

I had to unlearn what I'd grown accustomed to, and re-learn a lighter touch.  A couple week process both times. Not a natural feeling because I didn't want to lose volume on the noted strings, which, if anything, I need to hit harder.