Some guitar players are purchasing six string banjos specifically to create the sound associated with Dixieland jazz music.
Banjos typically do not arrive fully assembled; even if they were, after being shipped across an ocean and transported via train or truck to their store and your house they may require further adjustments before being properly in tune.
The Neck
If you are used to playing the guitar and are transitioning into bluegrass with your newly purchased 6-string banjo, it’s essential that you understand its unique neck. Relax your technique and play more fluidly; playing banjo requires using lighter touches than the former instrument.
If the strings don’t sound harmonious and long enough when played open (root position) chords, strumming patterns used on guitar will produce an unpleasant sound similar to medieval weapon.
As a quick way of testing whether the neck of a banjo is straight or has any bend in it, place your left forefinger on the string just above the nut without pressing down onto it. Pluck the string, and you should hear an overtone resembling bell tones that is one octave higher than what was being played – this octave overtone will indicate whether its bridge has been correctly set.
If your banjo features a bow in its neck, you may be able to create a “set-up” that will tighten it a little more. Look for an adjustment screw near the end of its neck; accessing this screw may require using either a hex wrench or nut driver.
The Bridge
Most six string banjos feature a resonator – a bowl-like piece which covers the banjo’s pot to reduce volume and allow it to “ring,” or sustain (especially important with strings tuned an octave higher than guitar strings). Some players choose not to play without one; this may create more “punchy” sounds.
While most resonators can add weight to a banjo, if you are looking for ways to lighten it further consider switching out for one with no backbox resonator.
If your new banjo has an uneven neck, loosen or tighten a coordinator rod located through its peghead to fix this. A small screwdriver (such as a hex or star driver) should do just fine for this adjustment process; turning clockwise will tighten it and decrease bow while counterclockwise will loosen and increase it.
It’s possible that only the neck will be curved on a banjo, while everything else about it works as intended; in such instances, no adjustments should be made to its coordinator rod(s). On rare occasions however, you might find one with an almost perfectly straight neck but with slight “bends” from shipping; this case might require slightly adjusting its coordinator rods in order to straighten it out further.
The Resonator
Six string banjos offer many different playing possibilities and the right one for you depends on what genres or styles of music you wish to explore. From bluegrass and old-time jazz through folk, country, rock and modern rock music genres – six string banjos offer something extra to your guitar playing, whether improvising solos or performing songs exactly as written.
Resonators add fullness and volume to any banjo, so it is very important that its condition be regularly assessed. If loose or leaking, tightening should take place by turning each bracket (usually triangular plastic pieces) one eighth to quarter turn at a time until all nuts have been tightened evenly around the banjo – be careful not to overtighten, as tightening one nut too much may cause it to wobble slightly and “wobble”.
Verify that the neck isn’t bowing over. If it is, there may be an adjustment screw tucked under its head that needs tightening with either a hex wrench or long flathead screwdriver; once found and tightened properly you should be able to straighten out its shape and restore balance to its natural state.
The Strings
Six string banjos make an excellent instrument to bridge the gap between guitar and banjo playing, being far easier to pick up and playing across genres such as folk, blues, country and jazz. We carry an extensive selection of Deering Goldtone Dean Ozark Tanglewood models suitable for every budget and preference.
A six-string can sound similar to a guitar when strumming chords with other guitarists or playing duets with other guitar players; however, its lack of lower strings adds some distinct characteristics that set it apart. To get the best results with your 6-string banjo, fingerpick rather than using patterns requiring you to strum open strings; additionally, due to less sustain than guitars, using patterns relying on notes holding over for longer than half a beat may not be effective or pleasing on your ears.
Some banjos come equipped with resonators that increase volume, making it easier for beginners to get into playing. But just because a banjo comes equipped with one doesn’t automatically mean it is better or worse; stripped-down versions may actually prove more durable and cost effective in terms of cost and durability.