Question about banjo pickups

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 06:01 PM

I used to get pretty good results with a cheap Belcat transducer wedged against the skin below the bridge with a piece of cork. Using a preamp is always a good idea.

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 05:58 PM

You're not alone Mary - Microvox is good kit and handles banjo acoustics better than any pickup I've come across. If you use the swan neck, you don't have to attach anything to the head - you can fix to the tensioners without doing anything invasive.

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: GUEST,Mary Humphreys
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 01:51 PM

You could have got a Microvox, which is mounted on the skin by means of a small velcro tab. It connects to a batterybox which is then plugged into the PAa via a DI. Very small, not expensive and made in UK.
It is what I use and I have never had any problems with it.
Sorry the information is a bit late - only spotted the topic a minute ago.
Mary

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: Tradsinger
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 12:52 PM

Just for info, I have decided on a Fishman. I have ordered it from the States as it is a lot cheaper there than in the UK, and an American friend is going to deliver it when he comes to the UK in May. Thanks to all for the interesting posts.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: banjoman
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 07:05 AM

I bought a Shadow banjo pick up some years ago and have used it on several of my banjos. It has 2 small condensor mics located in a bridge which replaces the one on the instrument. I have never had any problems with this although i have had to adjust the action on one or two instruments to accomodate the bridge. It also has its own volume control which either clamps to the side of the rim or can be held on with velcro.
Good luck with whatever you decide

pete

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: GUEST,Rabbitlegs
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 03:56 AM

Sorry, that was me.

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 03:55 AM

I have a Fishman rare earth fitted on mine. Tiny metal shim on the back of the head (banjo not mine), pickup fits to the perch pole (easier with two rods) and the jack socket is on a bracket fastened to the flange. Haven't got it in front of me at the moment, but it may fix to the tension hooks. The whole thing can just be taken off easily should you wish. The metal shim could be a problem if the head goes, but i would assume something like a bit of feeler gauge would do instead. Sounds good, but I'm not sure it's bang on. On the other hand I'm not glued to a mic.

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 10:21 PM

A highlander SA mic can probably mount on the back, without fancy drilling. It's designed for a guitar (internally), but would probably work fine. I resisted getting my guitars wired till I heard the highlanders.

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: Escapee
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 08:05 PM

If you're not playing on a real noisy stage, you might consider a microphone. There's no modification to your instrument, but it can limit your mobility a bit. I use a condenser rather than a dynamic mic. It reproduces the banjo sound very well and you can move back and forth for volume variations. It's usually a bunch of money either way, so listen to a lot of systems and good luck to you.
Fair winds,
SKP

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: Zen
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 06:18 PM

I would second Don's vote for a PUTW. They are very discreet and can be fitted without damage. As Don also says, they need a pre-amp for best results. I have used one of PUTW's own line preamps and a Fishman preamp and both gave excellent results on PUTW pickups fitted on a banjo and other instruments including guitar and mandolin.

Here is their website.

Zen

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 03:34 PM

I have an Ode Long Neck Five with a wooden dowel post. I have made a bracket that mounts to the dowel post and the 1/4" line jack mounts to the post. The Pick Up is by Pick Up The World. Of the five different types I have tried the PUTW is the best. A solid balanced sound.

A couple caveats. Don't let anyone tell you the signal is flat so you won't need a pre-amp. Un-less you want it to sound brittle and biting get a pre-am. I use a Baggs Para-DI. I have a dependable pick up that sounds acoustic. They are a bit fragile until you get them on. Once placed don't mess with it. An cover over the copper sheild with some tape, taped to the head. Other wise it wiggles around and may lose contact.

They are dependable on their warranty and nice people to talk to on the phone.

An trouble i have had with PUTW pick ups was more than worth it for the sound and dependability.

Got one on my B'Zooki too.


Don

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: Tradsinger
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 03:30 PM

I have got a resonator but it is removable and I think there is a perch pole. I'm glad you said that bit about not making holes in a Clifford Essex.

Subject: RE: Question about banjo pickups
From: Banjovey
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 03:21 PM

Have you got a resonator. If not, you might mount it on the perch pole. For G*ds sake don't start making holes in a thing of beauty like a Clifford Essex.

Subject: Question about banjo pickups
From: Tradsinger
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 03:06 PM

I hope that someone can give me some information on this. I need to get a banjo pickup and have been recommended a Fishman Professional as the best. However, I have come across a GoldTone SM Humbucking pickup which I can buy and wonder if it is just as good. My playing style is frailing/fingerpicking, but not bluegrass. I have a Clifford Essex banjo with a metal rim, so does this mean that I would have to make a hole in the rim for the lead?

Thanks for any info

Tradsinger