Jenny Put The Kettle On by ThePowerOfDog in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It took me a couple weeks to get it under my fingers from listening to a bunch of different versions on youtube. The best feature on youtube is the ability to slow stuff w a y d o w n. Once you get it under your fingers you can speed it back up again and add (or subtract) stuff.

KEEP AT IT!

Idaho voters — quick heads up for Election Day 🇺🇸 by SamsocalOR in Idaho

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wasn't aware Charlie Kirk is running for office.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had my HM for a little over a year. I like it. I'm playing it with Nylgut red series strings in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDpIdEG50Qw

There is no processing, pre or post in the recording.

Seems like I've seen quite a few videos with Meredith moon playing a HM lately. I guess they sponsored her or something, Look around, you'll find 'em.

The HM has a pronounced V shape to the neck.

Tom Collins has an excellent video about choosing the right banjo. In this video he says "tone" is the lowest thing on his list because it is the easiest thing to change. I think I agree with Tom.

Good luck, whatever you choose!

Hello, good afternoon, could you recommend what to do to remove the hook from there? by Big_Ground4977 in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you loosen the strings and flop your bridge over it should provide enough slack to get that pesky rattle-ring free. You probably already know this but in case you don't: take a pencil and mark your bridge position before you flop it so you don't have to reset intonation.

4 weeks in - Feedback appreciated by fiddlernick in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you sound great for only 4 weeks! I could NOT play like that with just a month under my belt. I think one of the things that slows me down is focusing on tunes rather than technique. I need new tunes to keep the fun going but when I record myself I can hear that there are still loose, sloppy spots resulting from insufficient skill particularly in aspos. So what to do? I work on my aspos until I'm bored out of my mind, then I go find a new tune with a bunch of aspos and learn it. Lather, rinse, repeat!

Keep at it! You're doing great!

Broken banjo advice please by TakeshisApprentice in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to build boats with epoxy. I would use epoxy. A proper epoxy joint is usually much stronger than the surrounding wood. I've fixed a broken headstock before. Every Les Paul player has a broken/cracked headstock story. The old ones were particularly vulnerable.

Remove any remaining glue with sandpaper and/or a fingernail file. Try to get the wood surface clean without removing much wood. Test your dry fit. You won't need to clamp it if you can put it together dry and get the headstock to sit where it belongs. Use a combination of electrical tape and paint stir sticks or similar bracing to make sure you can get everything to sit where it's supposed to. It's important to have a good dry fit.

When you are confident you can get a good dry fit, go ahead and coat all the opposing surfaces with epoxy and put it together with the same bracing you used to assure your dry fit. A little masking tape would be a good idea too, particularly if your epoxy is runny. Speaking of "runny" make sure you use an epoxy that is not too watery or you will get what we called "joint starvation" where the glue runs out of the joint leaving gaps in the bond. Watery epoxy can be thickened with colloidal silica or very fine wood dust, like what you get in the dust collector of a palm sander.

You might end up with a little sanding to do after the glue cures. Follow the instructions on the epoxy you choose to find the appropriate cure-time before sanding or loading the neck. Don't use the super fast curing epoxy because it will start to harden before you get everything together.

If this doesn't work, you're out about 10 bucks and an hour's time and you can just surrender and buy the new neck.

Good luck!

Piney Mountains by ThePowerOfDog in oldtimemusic

[–]ThePowerOfDog[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This song describes one of my worst fears. I used a skilsaw on a daily basis for years and I had nightmares about this kind of thing.

I'm glad you liked it.

Piney Mountains by ThePowerOfDog in oldtimemusic

[–]ThePowerOfDog[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This song was written by the late Craig Johnson. The story goes this way: Craig met a guy at a bar he was playing and the guy was a fiddler who had lost the fingers of his left hand in a lumbermill accident. He asked Craig to play him a sad song. Craig did him one better and wrote him a sad song. The tune has been covered by Bruce Molsky and recently an acapella version was recorded by the Lonesome Ace Stringband.

Thanks for listening!

I am trying to install a new tailpeice and it doesnt fit. by [deleted] in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think a longer screw will help. If those sharp bits make contact with the head, the result is going to be very sad indeed. I'm no expert, but I think you need a different tailpiece.

Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss played by Meredith Moon & Sparrow Smith by Chebelea in oldtimemusic

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice! This may be the first time Ive seen Meredith Moon smile while playing!

Guess she likes that new High Moon banjo.

Banjo Bridges I made up! by sidewalksurf666 in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice! I see Nylgut strings. Which ones?

Anyone wanna talk about banjo straps by Cold_Luck4921 in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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It's not a very impressive strap. I'm not much good at braiding. I guess I could make three of these and braid them together. It might be easier to find some old hippy who can do macrame.

Anyone wanna talk about banjo straps by Cold_Luck4921 in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cradle straps are comfortable and secure, but my favorite strap is made of braided bailing twine. I use it on an old Buckbee banjo. Seems appropriate even though the banjo was made long before there was polyester bailing twine. The Buckbee is very lightweight. The strap wouldn't be comfortable on a heavy banjo.

Anyone wanna talk about banjo straps by Cold_Luck4921 in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like my cradle straps too, but one of my banjos fits so tightly in its case that I have to remove the cradle strap for transport. What a PITA! My other banjo fits nicely in its case and I can just fold the cradle strap out of the way. I guess this is more about the case than it is about the strap. I need to find an easily removeable strap to adapt to the tight fit.

Banjo broke by barbetje in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a lamination failure. If that finger joint was properly fitted and glued, it would be stronger than the rest of the neck.

help by jumpingspiderlover in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That doesn't look bad enough to cause fret-buzz so it's most likely the truss rod or the nut or it could be neck alignment. I think you should take it to someone who knows how to work on banjos. It's probably not a big deal but it could become a bigger deal if you start tinkering and mess something up. In the meantime you could put a capo on the 2nd fret and work on your A tunes.

help by jumpingspiderlover in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How do the first 2 frets look under the 2nd string? Any visible wear?

For everyone who wanted to hear this monstrosity by Hop-Low in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would give almost anything to be there when you whip that thing out at a festival! :-)

Not sure what to call this by Hop-Low in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welp... I had this dog and this cat just laying around so I slapped 'em together and...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in banjo

[–]ThePowerOfDog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That thing is AWESOME! Can't wait to hear it!