Gourd banjo question - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T11:28:14Zhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/gourd-banjo-question?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A11346&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks for your comments, guy…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2009-08-20:2477478:Comment:113462009-08-20T22:15:42.000ZRob MacKillophttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/RobMacKillop
Thanks for your comments, guys. It sounded very beautiful tonight, very mellow. Compared to my SS Stewart, though, the strings are much closer together, which makes stroke playing feel quite different to me. I guess you just get used to adapting each time you pick up an instrument.
Thanks for your comments, guys. It sounded very beautiful tonight, very mellow. Compared to my SS Stewart, though, the strings are much closer together, which makes stroke playing feel quite different to me. I guess you just get used to adapting each time you pick up an instrument. I play frequently on a gourd…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2009-08-20:2477478:Comment:113372009-08-20T11:40:46.000ZDave Culganhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/OlDanTucker
I play frequently on a gourd banjo I got from Jeff Menzies many years ago. I did make a slightly taller bridge but I haven't found a need to use any but this one. One thing I do is tip the bridge over each time when I'm done playing. I think Jeff recommended this and I think its common practice in banjo playing but on my other banjos the bridges are tacked in place with glue. Anyway, this seems to keep the feet of the bridge from forming a depression in the head. It's a small difference but it…
I play frequently on a gourd banjo I got from Jeff Menzies many years ago. I did make a slightly taller bridge but I haven't found a need to use any but this one. One thing I do is tip the bridge over each time when I'm done playing. I think Jeff recommended this and I think its common practice in banjo playing but on my other banjos the bridges are tacked in place with glue. Anyway, this seems to keep the feet of the bridge from forming a depression in the head. It's a small difference but it I notice it if I forget and put it away with the bridge raised in position. Overall though, I use heat (sunlight, electric lamp, fire, etc.) to dry the head if its sagging much at all from being damp. I've never liked moving the bridge to compensate, and prefer to keep the scale length the same on all my fretless banjos.<br />
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This is just the way I deal with the head tension issues, everyone does what makes sense for them. I hope you enjoy the sound of your new instrument, they aren't real loud but I find the tone of a gourd to be very complex and intriguing.<br />
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Dave Culgan Yes, either move the bridge o…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2009-08-20:2477478:Comment:113172009-08-20T02:47:56.000ZTrapdoor2https://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Trapdoor2
Yes, either move the bridge or work with a couple different bridge heights. The heads are usually tensioned by hand stretching, so they sag madly when the humidity gets high. If you have a heater or a fire, usually giving a bit of a roast will do the trick.<br />
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I played a 4-string gourdy a few years ago in the dead of winter during a rainstorm. The head sagged enough I think you could have used it as a porridge bowl. The owner (Dan Knowles, a fine luthier from Tennessee) simply slid a very tall…
Yes, either move the bridge or work with a couple different bridge heights. The heads are usually tensioned by hand stretching, so they sag madly when the humidity gets high. If you have a heater or a fire, usually giving a bit of a roast will do the trick.<br />
<br />
I played a 4-string gourdy a few years ago in the dead of winter during a rainstorm. The head sagged enough I think you could have used it as a porridge bowl. The owner (Dan Knowles, a fine luthier from Tennessee) simply slid a very tall bridge on it and handed it back to me. What an unusual sound!