Setting Up the Banjo

Once assembled and the strings are on, we finally get to hear the first notes. It’s interesting to hear them change over the next couple hours as it seems as everything is tensioning the sound improves. It’s like the wood and metal parts are saying, “OK, I’m a banjo now.”  From there, it’s a matter of setting the head tension, truss rod in the neck, the rim coordinating rods and tail piece. All play a part in the height of the string action. Changing to a different head, bridge, or tailpiece can change the sound to suit the customer. With careful adjustments, the banjo will create the desired sound.