Banjo pickup

Subject: Banjo pickup
From: mandotim
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 09:23 AM

Hi all: having begun my journey to the Dark Side by buying my lovely Gold Tone OB250G Custom banjo, I now wish to make it even more obtrusive by playing it through the PA. I'm looking for recommendations for a pickup system. I thought about a condenser microphone, but I tend to bounce around a lot when playing, and this approach is a bit restrictive. I'm playing mostly Scruggs style, but not necessarily in a Bluegrass context. Research so far has turned up McIntyre, Fishman and Headway as possibles. Which to choose?
Thanks in advance
Tim

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: mooman
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 09:29 AM

Hi Tim,

I'd definitely recommend the Pick-up the World models over the others you mention. I've used them very successfully in a variety of instruments.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 10:52 AM

Microvox do a nice nice range of assorted pickups - Velcro onto where
ever you want 'em on the instrument ! though I have a Ceeducer strip on the inside of the head on my Maya .

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 05:19 PM

Dont know if there are any still about, but I bought a "Shadow" pick up about ten years ago and have used it ever since on my various Gold Tones and others. It included a replacement bridge with two tiny microphones built in and connected to a volume control which clamped to the rim of the banjo.
Otherwise, I have used a small condensor mike which was OK thro' my own PA but encountered problems when plugged thro' a "professional" set up.
Hope this is some help

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 06:52 PM

got a goldtone banjo.. need a pickup.. ????

errrr.. how about the goldtone banjo pickup !!!!!?????


http://www.goldtone.com/products/pages/bt-1000.asp



my goldtone banitar came with one factory fitted..


not gigged with it yet..

but so far works very well through practice amp


[even sounds good through heavy metal distortion FX box.. ]

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 06:56 PM

oops.. this is the pickup link..

the other one was for my banjitar..


goldtone smp sliding mag pickup

http://www.goldtone.com/products/part_smp.asp

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 06:58 PM

Pick up the World. I've used one for four years with a Baggs pre-amp. Only way to beat it is with a ribbon microphone.

Don

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: mandotim
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 12:52 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone; I've tried a few, and the best (to my ears, anyway - ymmv)is the Headway limpet pickup. Fairly new on the market, but sounds great, and I got a good deal. Thanks again.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 02:48 PM

moo and Don are right of course, but if you don't wanna spend so much, have a look at Schatten Design (www.schattendesign.com). No financial interest here, have just used the cheap guitar pickups.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: Gypsy
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 10:42 PM

Oh man, i would go for the fully loaded 8 cylinder, with all wheel drive.............

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 04:31 AM

Gee - banjo? pickup?

I was thinking more along the lines of "if you leave it on the curb on trash day, would they???????

Joking of course. I know they don't pick up heavy or bulky stuff without a special call in my area.

John

Subject: RE: Banjo pickup
From: cobber
Date: 09 Oct 05 - 09:55 PM

I use a Fishman on my fiddle whick is a tiny folded gold leaf that clips into the bridge. I over-folded one once and it snapped along the bend. The half that was attached to the lead still worked fine and I tried it under one of the feet of my Stewart. It sounds great and reproduces the old timey Stewart sound quite faithfully so it would probably work well on other banjos or mandolins for that matter