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Post by bigmark on Jun 21, 2008 21:10:12 GMT
Howdy.
I'm new to the site. Been frailing for about 2 months. Following the How and Tao and Patrick's stuff on you tube. I'm after some advice on banjo pick ups or indeed the best way to amplify the banjo. Do I just go for a microphone or should I try a transducer style pick up? Anyone got any experience of the best way to go?
Cheers,
Mark.
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Post by craftsman on Jun 22, 2008 11:19:25 GMT
Howdy. I'm new to the site. Been frailing for about 2 months. Following the How and Tao and Patrick's stuff on you tube. I'm after some advice on banjo pick ups or indeed the best way to amplify the banjo. Do I just go for a microphone or should I try a transducer style pick up? Anyone got any experience of the best way to go? Cheers, Mark. Hi Mark, I didn't like to leave you without a response! But I'm afraid I didnt have a clue about fitting a pickup. I would guess though, not having seen one on a banjo, that a mike would be the most likely choice. Is your banjo an open back? Mine isn't and its too loud for me most times when I'm practicing ! I'm looking forward to some other responses too! |
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Post by bigmark on Jun 22, 2008 14:40:15 GMT
Thanks for the response. I've played in bands before with banjo players that had pick ups fitted to the banjo and they were very prone to feedback. My banjo is open back. It's loud enough if I'm just singing or playing with a guitarist. I've got a sniff of a gig with a drummer so I'm just trying to make sure I get the right gear. Cheers again.
Mark.
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Post by craftsman on Jun 22, 2008 16:25:41 GMT
Thanks for the response. I've played in bands before with banjo players that had pick ups fitted to the banjo and they were very prone to feedback. My banjo is open back. It's loud enough if I'm just singing or playing with a guitarist. I've got a sniff of a gig with a drummer so I'm just trying to make sure I get the right gear. Cheers again. Mark. Good luck getting the gig, We'd love to see a video too ! Cheers! |
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mark
Full Member
Posts: 133
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Post by mark on Jun 23, 2008 11:17:29 GMT
Howdy. I'm new to the site. Been frailing for about 2 months. Following the How and Tao and Patrick's stuff on you tube. I'm after some advice on banjo pick ups or indeed the best way to amplify the banjo. Do I just go for a microphone or should I try a transducer style pick up? Anyone got any experience of the best way to go? Cheers, Mark. Mark, I have a little bit of experience with this subject. I hooked up my banjo at the beginning of this year as I needed to amplify for a charity performance I was involved with in April. There's plenty out there to chose from .. Fishman rare earth get good reviews. Gold Tone make one, the SMP (Sliding Magnetic Pickup). Also, Schatten are supposed to be very good. As I normally just play by myself or with just an accoustic guitarist I didn't want to go to the expense and time / effort of purchasing and installing one of the Schatten Pros (which would have been my choice) so I decided to try a Piezo. There are loads of cheapos out there and some really quite expensive piezos but the best (VFM Vs Sound) I found (by asking other people, searching for sound files and visiting music stores) was made by Schaller which I actually picked up (excuse the pun!) from ebay. It's very similar to this one: cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SCHALLER-DUAL-PIEZO-PICKUP-GUITAR-CELLO-BASS-gpt4_W0QQitemZ290239335081QQihZ019QQcategoryZ22670QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem except it only has the one pick up. I used this seller and I think it cost me around 15 quid. It arrived with two days. I used a couple of small zip ties to connect the block to my co-ordinator rods (the block sits between the two rods in kind of a diamond shape) and added another zip tie (loosly) near the tail piece end of one of the rods so I could thread my lead through it so as not to put too much pressure on the block. When it comes to placing the pick up it's just down to trial and error (there's quite a few spare sticky pads come with the pick up if you need them!). It took me about an hour or so to find the happy medium (volume and tone Vs Feedback), playing around with my amp settings and moving the pick up (which is placed on the underside of the head) around the bridge area. I found that directly under the centre foot gave the best volume but tone was pretty "electric" (not what I was looking for at all) and this position generated quite a lot of feedback at higher volumes. Moving the pickup directly behind the bridge (just behind the centre foot) gave the nicest tone (to my ears) but lacked volume somewhat. I found that in my set up the best vertical position is to line the edge of the pick up with the centre of the middle foot so that it sits partially under the centre (volume) and lower (tone) foot of the bridge. For horizontal position I aligned so that the bulk of the pick up is nearer the tailpiece. After I had set up using my amp I ran it through a friends 100w Peavy as a test with very little feedback at all (although we didn't crank the amp all the way up). On the night I ran through my own Stagg 60w Accoustic Amp on about 8.5/10ths volume, a slight (3/10ths) reverb, 4.5/10ths treble, 3.5/10th mid and para mid and 6/10ths bass. I had also dialled in a Behringer Pre-Amp Booster but didn't use it on the night as I managed enough volume with the amp alone. I have a Grafton Clipper Open Back (Ren Head / No Knot Tailpiece). Sound, volume and tone was good enough on the night, I didn't suffer any feedback and I am glad I didn't spend the 1 - 2 hundred quid on a Pro Pick Up. I had intended on taking it off after the performance but it's still there now and will probably stay on to be honest, just in case I ever need to amp again. Good Luck. Mark : editted for sbelling mistookes |
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Post by craftsman on Jun 23, 2008 14:23:19 GMT
Now thats what I call a good answer!! Cheers.
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Post by bigmark on Jun 23, 2008 18:28:33 GMT
 Wow! Thanks Mark. Sounds like the schaller pick up is worth a punt. I was looking on the web last night and deering do a banjo (all be it one of the bottom of the range models) with a similar pick up built in. I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on. I really appreciate the help. Cheers, Mark.
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mark
Full Member
Posts: 133
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Post by mark on Jun 23, 2008 19:12:16 GMT
Wow! Thanks Mark. Sounds like the schaller pick up is worth a punt. I was looking on the web last night and deering do a banjo (all be it one of the bottom of the range models) with a similar pick up built in. I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on. I really appreciate the help. Cheers, Mark. No problem Mark, happy to help. For 15 quid it's worth a shot, worked for me at least. I think I know the Deering you are talking about, it's badged by Eagle Music as the Electric Performer: www.eaglemusicshop.com/details1.asp/ProductID/5627/sid/11/electric-goodtime.jpgThe Schaller is similar and when I ordered mine from RUMC (The Really Useful Music Company) I had the choice of a block or a jack (as shown on the Goodtime). I decided I didn't want to (or get tempted to) drill a hole through my pot so opted for the block. Let me know how you get on with it Mark. Where abouts are you located, South / Midlands / North ? (I am presuming England by the way). Wherever you are there is probably someone here not too far away to link up for a jam / chat. Good Luck. Mark |
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Post by bigmark on Jun 24, 2008 18:35:30 GMT
Mark,
I live in Newcastle upon Tyne. It would be good to meet other frailers if there are any up here. I'll let you know how I get on with the pick up. I'm hoping to get something sorted at the weekend.
Cheers,
Mark.
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Post by Clangabell on Jun 24, 2008 18:59:56 GMT
Hi Mark
dont know much about banjo pick ups bit I do live quite near by to you (20 mins), if you want to meet up just drop me a line
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Post by Danny on Jun 24, 2008 19:09:12 GMT
Hi Mark dont know much about banjo pick ups bit I do live quite near by to you (20 mins), if you want to meet up just drop me a line Now THIS is what we want to see more of ;D Why don't you two boogie on over to the Meeting / Jamming area and make it feel loved? |
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Post by bigmark on Jun 24, 2008 22:38:41 GMT
Colin "Clanga" Bell,
I'll drop you a line at the weekend. I've got to go away for a couple of days with work.
Anyone else in the NE up for a get together?
Mark.
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Post by bigmark on Jun 30, 2008 13:49:00 GMT
Fitted the pick up yesterday. Couldn't get a schaller but managed to get something similar from a local chap. Sounds OK on a small amp. Going to try it tomorrow through a PA playing along with a drum kit. I'll let you all know how I get on. For those about to frail we salute you..
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Post by Danny on Jun 30, 2008 15:07:30 GMT
Sounds good, let us know how it goes
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Post by pays0n on Jun 30, 2008 21:37:19 GMT
Hey bigmark,
I live in York if you ever want to meet up for a jam. I am a beginner to the 5 string banjo though I've dabbled with other instruments as well.
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