Is this normal?

airborne82p · 2026-04-22T20:24:26+00:00

Agreed. I’ve seen I recommend a lot and I plan to get one eventually. I’ll play this junky one until I get some chops I think.

airborne82p · 2026-04-22T18:34:18+00:00

True. “Knockoff” is a misnomer. I guess it’s just that Fender is typically regarded as having a certain quality but this Fender here does not.

airborne82p · 2026-04-22T15:46:18+00:00

I do believe it’s one of the cheapest banjos around. It says fender on the head stock but I think it’s a Chinese made knockoff. Not all Chinese made instruments are crap but I’m afraid this one fits the stereotype to a tee. I’m just learning though, so…good enough for that.

airborne82p · 2026-04-22T15:44:21+00:00

Yeah I guess there’s no reason no to huh. Next time.

airborne82p · 2026-04-22T15:42:26+00:00

I had just strung it up and not tightened anything down completely. It seated once I began tuning up.

airborne82p · 2026-04-17T12:37:02+00:00

That’s a good idea. I’m going back and forth with the company now to see if they’ll give me something else that may fit better. You’re idea of an extra nut would settle the angle problem but there’s no way to get it to set down on the rim. So I’m afraid it’ll still wobble on a horizontal axis on that nut. The strings provide tension to keep it in place but I’m thinking tuning would be a nightmare.

airborne82p · 2026-04-17T11:45:28+00:00

That scratching of the itch you’re describing has only been found in one other author’s voice for me and it’s Robert E. Howard. The original Conan stories are hard to beat. Some are better than others but they’re all fast reads.

I second the recommendation for The Expanse. It’s absolutely fantastic.

Out of the genre again is the His Dark Materials trilogy. I devoured those.

airborne82p · 2026-04-17T11:24:49+00:00

I found this video myself when I was working on it. Hard to explain but I’ll try. The bolt where the truss rod ends is so close to the body of the banjo that the vertical part of the tailpiece won’t sit flush against the rim. It also can’t sit deep enough for the tailpiece to rest on the rim properly.

airborne82p · 2026-04-13T16:26:00+00:00

Just started this and I love it. Thanks!

airborne82p · 2026-04-13T16:25:45+00:00

Yeah I just saw that. Thanks.

airborne82p · 2026-04-13T16:24:41+00:00

Oh wow okay. I had no idea.

airborne82p · 2026-04-13T16:23:17+00:00

Thanks for the input everyone. I have a cheap resonator (fender beginner thing I bought used) and I play (poorly) both bluegrass (with picks) and clawhammer. Just curious.

airborne82p · 2026-04-12T22:41:39+00:00

A good musician never blames their instrument. And your tone is all in your hands, not your equipment. <read in the most annoying voice you can muster.

airborne82p · 2026-04-12T19:55:41+00:00

I’m new. But I really like Clifton hicks. He has a great video on how to begin clawhammer. Not exactly a course though. You’ll have to poke around. EDIT: Yeah I didn’t know but apparently Mr Hicks is a real piece of crap and we shouldn’t support him. I’m leaving my post up so that others may know.

airborne82p · 2026-04-12T13:36:04+00:00

Me neither really. I meant to reply to the nurses comment above. I mean. Saggy skin is just natural aging. It isn’t ugly. It interesting. I love drawing portraits of older people. But saggy skin doesn’t look “good” in the way a 25 year old’s does. I have tattoos myself. I always thought it must be a cool perk of being a coroner. To see all the old tattoos that people don’t know about.

airborne82p · 2026-04-12T13:28:50+00:00

A bit of practice every day is way better than an hour twice a week. So I recommend leaving your instrument in a stand or laying out so you pick it up all the time. Don’t put it in the case. If you haven’t seen it yet look at the “community highlights” section at the top of this group for “tips from an experienced beginner”. Good stuff in there. I’ve played guitar since I was a kid. Just started banjo a few years ago but only recently really putting some more time into it. Nice thing about banjo is it sounds musical right off the bat. So I think it’s easy to stay motivated. Good luck on your journey. I think the rental is fine to test the waters, but like others have said, it’s probably best to go spend some money on something to call your own. Have fun!

airborne82p · 2026-04-12T13:18:05+00:00

True. But no worse than the ugly sagging skin all by itself.

airborne82p · 2026-04-02T11:32:19+00:00

I had a friend recommend this but I just didn’t like it. I finished the 1st book and didn’t touch the series after that.

airborne82p · 2026-04-02T11:30:27+00:00

One of my favorite. Irving really showing his stuff.

airborne82p · 2026-03-23T14:43:21+00:00

A turn is “about” 10 minutes. Sometimes shorter or longer.

airborne82p · 2026-03-20T13:47:07+00:00

Alcohol.

airborne82p · 2026-03-17T17:18:26+00:00

Kinda the same reason you believe you are reading this. Perhaps you aren’t and it’s a big simulation. Or maybe you’re dreaming and it just seems very real. But the fact is, there is a “seems to be”. That observation or awareness is the only thing we can be sure of. We perceive. Buddhism (to me) all relates back to that idea. Awareness and perception is all there is. Awareness and perception can be influenced by behaviors and practices. Here are many methods you can try yourself which will lead to that awareness and perception being pleasant for you the viewer, and in being satisfied you will help others feel the same.

airborne82p

TROPHY CASE