Some newbie questions...

[Ed Womack]

I finally have a banjo on order. A very non-vegan one with calf head and gut strings. As I wait as patiently as possible for it to arrive, I was wondering:

 

1. Where do I get replacement gut strings?

 

2. What do i do if the head skin breaks, gets punctured or, for some reason, comes off?

 

3. What else should I know before playing a historical reproduction banjo?

 

I'm guessing it's pretty straightforward, but just in case landmines await, I thought I'd ask.

 

Thank you!

[Carl Anderton]

1.  Google Bob Thornburg, Sierra View Acoustic Music.  Call him whenever you need strings, he is prompt and knowledgeable.

 

2.  It's hard to break a head, but I've done it (recently). You can order calf or goat skin from Elderly Instruments, Bernunzio Instruments, or any of a host of sources.  But it's probably not going to be a problem.  

 

3.  Just this, you're going to have to practice your ass off to get good so turn the computer off and put the banjo in your hands.

 

p.s. That last bit was tongue in cheek.  But really, if you put the time in, you'll actually come to enjoy all the quirks and inconviencies of your gut-strung skin-head banjo.

[Bell Banjos]

Number 3. is great advice Carl.

Gut strings - if you've ever played electric guitar and hooked into an old, I mean old, tube amp and went WOW....banjo gut strings give the same wow. I can't describe it.

[Tim Twiss]

I totally get the tube / gut analogy. Solid state should have been superior, but it just does not respond the same. I play an old Strat...sometimes with a black face Deluxe, and sometimes an Ampeg Jet. Just a grab and depth to a tone that is hard to describe. Same thing on a banjo. When the instrument responds differently, it makes you think and play differently.   

[Joel Hooks]

If the head breaks, replace it... it is easy, really!

I use Bill Miller's banjo heads, very reasonably priced and very good.  I've mounted three of them (two on Stewarts) and have no complaints.  I've not needed to replace a "early banjo" head yet due to failure, but I travel with a Miller head rolled up just in case.

 

http://www.banjoseen.us/

 

May I ask who the maker is?  Is it an original?  As far as care and feeding, play a lot, and read as much period stuff as you can.  Avoid anything that may have been distorted buy modern ideas of "old time."

 

There is a whole fingerboard to use, so use it, cello players do, why should the banjo be different?

 

Don't be afraid to play loud near the bridge.  And remember, one does not become Paganini the first time they pick up a bow, the same goes with the thimble...  that reminds me...  If you have not already, buy a thimble (or try your hand a making one) and use it, they work.   

[Tim Twiss]

Riding bareback is fine also.

[Scott House]

Answer to the first:

Gut Strings

 

Answer to the second:

Heads

 

Answer to the third:

Have patience and have fun. You have to understand that the natural elements that make up your banjo can be temperamental at times and some of the old music can leave you scratching your head.

 

[Ed Womack]

Incredible. Thank you everyone for the advice, references and links. That's extremely good knowledge that would have taken me quite some time on my own.

After wrangling through opinions, research and comments for almost a year, I ordered a Hartel Boucher. I'm thinking it will keep me busy for some time to come.

I've also engulfed myself in minstrel and mid-19th century music over the past year. The Rounder CD "Minstrel Banjo Style" was a slap of a revelation for me. All of that obscure and hidden music exploded out at me and I still can't ignore it. Though I bought that CD years ago, I think I've been hooked since then.

Thanks again... I'll probably have other newbie questions once I begin twanging the guts. And I'll try to stay away from the computer... though that's often hard for someone who works as a programmer all day...