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Topic: Pick-up/mic for a B@njo? |
Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 16 Jan 2003 1:02 pm |
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I have a show coming up in which I'm going to need to 'electrify' a banjo. The 'pit' at the theatre is such that they want to get a feed of all instruments rather than mic anything (even the drums are electronic).
The banjo in question is a 5-string Alvarez 'Denver Belle' (rather nice, actually), but I'll probably remove the 5th string as I'll be playing rhythm on it with a flat pick.
Does anyone have any advice? I wouldn't say that money's NO object, but I'd like it to be a decent sound....
Thank you.
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Roger Rettig [This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 16 January 2003 at 01:03 PM.] |
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David Mullis
From:
Rock Hill, SC
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Posted 16 Jan 2003 4:58 pm
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| check out www.goldtone.com. Not only tdo they make NICE banjo, they sell reasonably priced, easy to install pickups. |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 16 Jan 2003 6:43 pm
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I use a Fishman pickup, the older version, not the newer Rare Earth one. It mounts on the coodinator rods and points at a metal shim that I glue onto the underside of the head right under the middle foot of the bridge -- this gives a slightly more percussive sound than if you put the shim elsewhere, but it's pretty natural sounding and putting the shim there helps control feedback.
You need a pre-amp with this pickup -- I use a Fishman model G, but any one will do -- you could also use a Boss GE-7 equalizer, which has a overall boost slider. Besides, you might need to take down the EQ at 400 Hz -- that's a pretty resonant point for a banjo.
It sounds complicated, but it isn't really and I get a good sound, even playing with a full electric band. Good luck!
PJJ |
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Larry Behm
From:
Mt Angel, Or 97362
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 4:59 am
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I tired several different pickup systems and most could not keep up with the volume of my band, until I got a Goldtone electric banjo. It has a 9" head and two pickups, looks like a Tele and I cannot get it to feed back under normal conditions. The retail prices are not bad at $800 plus, but contact me before you buy, I HAVE A NAME AND NUMBER FOR YOU.
Larry Behm |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 6:21 am
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Many thanks for the suggestions...
Best,
RR |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 8:08 am
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In my youth, I played some 5 string banjo. I had a DeArmond contact pickup that was held in place (on the skin) by long rubber bands. Believe it or not, it really worked good! There are some contact pickups on the market today that are held in place with some stuff that looks like silly putty. I would try something like this and just stick it on the skin of your banjo.
Erv |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 10:28 am
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Why would you want to make a b@njo louder? That should be illegal..... 
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www.tyack.com
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 10:41 am
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It's the Musical Director, Dan - HE wants to be able to actually hear it; he didn't say why, but I guess he has his reasons.
I like it best where it is now - in its case - but a gig's a gig, right?
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 10:54 am
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| This thread reminds me that I have a Gibson RB-100 that I've never had time to become proficient on....I wonder, should I try to sell it here, or on E-Bay? |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 1:48 pm
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Gene
I bought this Alvarez with intention of learning, too - I guess my heart's really not in it, as it's hardly ever been out of its case. I just need it to vamp a couple of rhythm parts on the show 'Chicago' that I'm about to do - I may sell mine when it's done, and put the money into my new Zum ! |
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Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2003 7:40 pm
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Gene, if you sell your RB100, how much will you want for it? I might be interested.
Michael T.
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UTILITY MAN PRODUCTIONS
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE,
'85 DOBRO 60DS, '95 DOBRO F60S,
'95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1955 FENDER TRIPLE NECK STRINGMASTER. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps.
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 18 Jan 2003 5:33 am
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I'm still undecided......but, with the brand-new hardshell case I would have to have $1000 to break even.....more if I wanted to make a couple of bucks....
My original plans were that eventually it would sure be a lot easier to carry the banjo and a dobro to bluegrass events than what I'm doing now.
I'm thinking the same thimg about my 1949 Fender triple as I haven't played it since 1962....I may decide to post both of 'em over in Buy & Sell! www.genejones.com
....a guy rushed out of the room because he remembered he left his car unlocked with his banjo in the back seat...came back breathless and said: "I was too late, someone already put ANOTHER banjo in my back seat".  [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 18 January 2003 at 05:40 AM.] |
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Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2003 2:58 pm
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Would you believe that I need two of them LOL.
Actually I just want two of them so that nobody sees me carrying it out of one theatre into the next. LOL
I was considering building one from Stew-Mac, but it will end up costing almost as much as what you might be asking for yours. Especially after having to do the finish work too.
Is there any gear that you are looking for? I have several items for sale. Maybe we could work out a partial trade. I'll keep my eye on buy and sell.
Your '49 triple sounds awesome too. I bought a '56 T-8 about this time last year. It is refinished, but it sure do sound good. I would love to hear someone play it who really knows how to make it talk.
Roger, the best pickup I have ever used on a banjo wasn't designed for it. I found a Barcus Berry "DISQ" transducer pickup and through trial and error, found the best place to mount it on my banjo which is also an Alvarez. The pickup should come with some two-sided foam tape, cut a piece the size of the pickup and mount the tape on the pickup. Then with the pickup wired to a jack and plugged into your amp, place the pu in different areas on the banjo head until you find a sound you like. My favorite place is on the tailpiece side of the bridge, just behgind the treble side foot, and just barely touching the bridge. This has been absolutely the loudest cleanest and truest tone pickup I have ever tried. And, you don't need a preamp, as a matter of fact, you will have to turn your amp down. (Ok Ok where a banjo should be anyway, I know, LOL) I have had the Fishman, an old DeArmond magnetic, mics, you name it, this one works the best.
If you are into a quick fix, take a Shure SM57 and gaff tape it between the coordinator rods with the head towards the bridge. This will have a good tone, but be prepared for feedback.
I hope this helps.
Thanks, God Bless,
Michael T.
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UTILITY MAN PRODUCTIONS
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE,
'85 DOBRO 60DS, '95 DOBRO F60S,
'95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1955 FENDER TRIPLE NECK STRINGMASTER. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps.
[This message was edited by Michael T. Hermsmeyer on 18 January 2003 at 03:10 PM.] |
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Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2003 3:23 pm
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Roger, check your mail, I sent you some photos of my pickup installation.
Michael T. |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 18 Jan 2003 4:33 pm
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I have a Shadow pickup that I bought to use on my banjo....very nice unit with volume/tone controls and a detachable cord. I thought it sounded OK but it drove the sound man crazy so I went back to a mic.
They are made by Shadow Electronics of America Inc
www.genejones.com
[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 25 January 2003 at 07:58 AM.] |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 18 Jan 2003 8:38 pm
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Thanks a lot, Michael - that's very helpful!
RR |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Posted 20 Jan 2003 8:12 am
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www.stewmac.com
They have a pickup that they sell that mounts internally. I've also had great success with an Audio Technica ATM35 mic. It's a miniature condensor on a small gooseneck that can clamp right onto the tensioning rods on the banjo. It stays right where you want it. |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 25 Jan 2003 7:41 am
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For Larry Behm -- How does the Gold Tone electric banjo sound? I've been thinking about getting one, because it would sure weigh less than my Gibson banjo, plus it has the electric guitar-style pickup for different sounds? How's the neck on it?
Thanks,
PJJ
P.S. This months "Frets" magazine (which comes shrink-wrapped with Guitar Player) has a feature on Bela Fleck, which details his pickup system -- combines a Jones mag pickup (smae idea as the Fishman/Stew-Mac kind) with a Shure SM98 mic mounted on a gooseneck that clamps to the outside of the banjo and points at the head. He has a lot of EQ in his signal chain, I assume to control feedback.
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Larry Behm
From:
Mt Angel, Or 97362
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Posted 26 Jan 2003 3:19 am
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Peter all reports are positive about the sound of the Gold tone. I play about 3 songs a night with it and it gets the job done, no feed back and plenty of volume.
I have the Tele version as the head is thinner and I was told it sounds a little brighter.
I also have a $3000 Scruggs, on a scale of 1-10 it is about a 9.98 I really work hard at finding instruments that sound great. I tell you this so that you will know that I am really into great tone. The Gold tone is not in that class but more than gets the job done.
Larry Behm |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 26 Jan 2003 5:19 pm
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Larry -- Thanks for the insight. I, too, own a Scruggs model (the early version, from 1986) -- it's a great instrument.
Sounds like the Gold Tone does the job for you. Also, sounds like I need to check one out -- it could be the right solution for me in my electric band. Hmmm.. what should I tell my wife THIS time...
PJJ |
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