Set-Up

As a player, Jason is aware of how much the set-up process has to do with the overall sound, responsiveness, and playability of a banjo. We understand that each player has a unique playing style and a certain tone they are after. Once you have chosen the wood, rim size, and tone ring, then the choice of head, tailpiece, bridge wood, and strings will fine-tune the tone of the instrument.

Here are some of the set-up options available; we look forward to working with you to help customize your instrument.

TAILPIECE OPTIONS

Cast bronze Romero tailpiece - ead more about our tailpieces here.
Kershner-style & others - We can install a variety of other excellent adjustable tailpieces on your banjo.
No-knot - A simple tailpiece most widely used for old-time banjos

BRIDGE

Jason first saw a five-hole type construction ten years ago from the banjo maker Monty Hendricks. After years of experimenting with different woods and construction types, we've decided that this three foot, five-hole design, combined with the shape of a Randy Stockwell Moon bridge, sounds better than every other variation we've tried. Our bridges are made in our shop using submerged maple topped with ebony. Every bridge is compensated for improved intonation.
Most of our bridges tend to heavier construction, usually weighing between 2.2 and 2.8 grams. This increased thickness gives great midrange and low tone production.
Bridges are for sale separately from our banjos.

HEAD

Depending on the sound and stability you're after, we have both synthetic and natural heads available. Generally, we like the overall tone on skin heads better but really enjoy the stability that synthetic heads offer in a variety of climates.
We stain our natural skin heads, often with the same color as the neck and rim wood, giving a cohesive look to the banjo.
To make a synthetic head sound as good as a skin head, we have a special technique to shellack the underside of the head. This gives a natural marbled look and a more natural tone.

Natural heads: calf skin, goat skin.
Standard synthetic heads: Renaissance, white, frosted, Fyberskin. 

STRINGS

String options include include steel, synthetic nylon or gut strings, all in a variety of gauges.