Six String Banjos are versatile strumboxes that make an excellent way for guitar players looking to expand into other genres of music, from bluegrass to Dixieland and beyond. A six string banjo can add another exciting dimension to any musician’s arsenal!
Finding your first six-string banjo may seem intimidating at first. Here are a few points to keep in mind when looking for one.
Neck
A banjo’s neck is an integral component of its instrument, providing quick response times and providing enough power for playing. Furthermore, its bridge should sustain strings without losing sound – any instances in which strings buzz against frets when picked indicate potential bridge issues that should be repositioned in order to eliminate any future difficulties.
The nut is another component that should be carefully adjusted in order to achieve optimal sound and playability. A shallow nut slot may lead to issues such as buzzing or an inability to tune, so keeping them deep may help mitigate such problems.
Most banjos feature an adjustable nut that can be changed with the turn of a screw in their peghead, as well as raised or lowered depending on desired action of banjo. A loose enough fit should allow strings to rest against first fret but not so loose that strings slip off and cause buzz when picked.
The banjo nut also houses a truss rod, which can be adjusted by loosening or tightening to adjust its neck. Depending on its age and type, this might be easily accessible by simply taking off one of several small covers (usually made of pearl or plastic). These covers also serve as the ideal place to personalize your banjo by writing your name, date or short phrase onto them for easy identification purposes.
Strings
Six String Banjo strings differ significantly from those found on traditional five string banjos in terms of construction materials used. Phosphor bronze or nickel-plated steel makes up four main strings while silver-plated copper wrapped string provides unique tone. Experimentation is key when finding what resonates most for you when playing this instrument; experiment with various types of strings until you find something that suits your playing style perfectly!
A 6 string banjo can be an ideal addition for guitarists who wish to add the unique banjo sound without learning an entirely different instrument. Tuned similarly, these instruments make learning how to use one quickly easy for experienced guitarists.
When purchasing a Six String Banjo, make sure that its head and neck adjustment is tightened appropriately and properly adjusted before making your purchase. Otherwise, a lot of work may need to be done in order for it to play; even though all necessary parts were shipped along in its container voyage across oceans; truck rides to distribution centers/stores then car trips back home could still cause initial tweaking before it’s usable; for best results buy from reputable vendors or boutique music stores as they will likely do the initial setup for you.
Resonator
Resonators on banjos push sound forward, adding volume and brightness. They can also help tame feedback in loud environments like gigs or basement jam sessions; however, some players prefer playing without one; this enables them to play open-back styles of banjo playing.
Thumbscrews allow a player to remove the resonator on a six string banjo and play open-back when desired, giving you more options when it comes to sound and feel. Some manufacturers include built-in piezo-electric pickups that work seamlessly with sound systems without feedback issues.
Many acoustic guitar players purchase six string banjos because they want to expand their playing repertoire to include Dixieland tunes or similar styles, and 6-string banjos can help. However, strumming acoustic guitar chords on such an instrument will sound cacophonous due to lower tuning of its strings compared to that found on an acoustic guitar and reaching up the neck to reach high notes of strings further back than previously possible – this creates a unique cacophony all its own!
Some acoustic guitar players who own six string banjos to perform Dixieland-style music have taken to removing two strings on their guitars to enable full barre chords without fretting or deadening low strings, thus reducing ringing after they are plucked – though this compromises the instrument’s overall sound quality.
Pickup
Many six string banjos are constructed as either openback banjos, with or without resonators for bluegrass music. If you prefer playing them plugged in, however, most come equipped with pickups similar to that found on electric guitars.
Piezo pickups excel at reproducing higher frequencies more accurately than magnetic ones and are capable of picking up acoustic banjo sounds well. Furthermore, unlike microphones which pick up background noise or hum, piezo pickups allow greater frequency control for fine-tuning the pickup to your own sound.
One drawback of low strings is their continual ring, making strumming chords with a flatpick more challenging. If you intend on playing Dixieland or similar styles, fretting or deadening these bottom strings may also be necessary to get an enjoyable sound.
One way around this problem is to use a pattern that replicates the drone string of a five-string banjo on beat 2 1/2, by picking either of the first or third strings (beat 2) on that beat – they won’t ring as long but will give the same general effect; practice will be needed, though results should be quite satisfying. As another alternative, visit a professional banjo technician and have them “set it up,” though this option will incur a fee but allow for greater confidence when playing your instrument.