BS: New Idea, Banjo Microphone

Subject: New Idea, Banjo Microphone
From: DonMeixner
Date: 22 Apr 01 - 10:17 AM

Well this is new to me anyway. I was listening to a band from Rochester, NY last night called "The Wild Geese", I found them enjoyable but in the venue they were in its hard to say they were great. I've played the room and there is too much noise to overcome in the place. Its a play, get paid, and get out kind of experience.

I did notice that the banjo player was getting a definate, banjo like sound from is Bacon & Day MAY BELL tenor. When I asked him at the break what he was using he told me he had a Radio Shack Flat style microphone glued to the resonator on the inside. His further description leads me to believe that he has a PZM under the pot. He said front end volume is never a problem and he only feeds back when the monitors are real hot and aimed directly at the banjo.

Anyone else ever hear of such a thing? Radio Shack PZMs are cheap compared to Crowns and the experiment is simple enough.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: New Idea, Banjo Microphone
From: Dunc
Date: 22 Apr 01 - 10:41 AM

My pal is a banjo player and he has had a pick up mike glued to the underside of the vellum on his 100 year old + banjo for many years.
He also uses a converted crocodile paper clip as a mute on the bridge of the banjo, giving it a much more gentle and soft sound.

Subject: RE: BS: New Idea, Banjo Microphone
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 22 Apr 01 - 11:31 AM

Dunc, what is a crocodile paper clip?
I use a cloth pin on my bridge sometimes to quiet down my banjo.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: New Idea, Banjo Microphone
From: Melani
Date: 22 Apr 01 - 04:03 PM

I've always sorta thought that a banjo needed a mic about like a bagpipe does.

Subject: RE: BS: New Idea, Banjo Microphone
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 22 Apr 01 - 05:36 PM

Melani, it depends on the banjo. This weekend I was working on a tune with a friend of mine. He played a mandolin along with my open back banjo. He commented how my banjo was moderate in volume compared to other banjos he has heard. Much has to do with being open back and not having a resonator magnifing the sound.
If you stick a rag or foam in the back of an open back banjo it quiets it down some too. I stick foam in the back of mine, not just as to tone it down but more so that it does not reverberate so much.

Bonnie