emilyb
Member
I did it. I gave in. I shelled out the dough for this awesome old resonator banjolele -- the thing was just so damned beautiful, and I'm a sucker for the twang:
But it could use some work. The person I bought it from replaced the original head (which he guessed looked to be from from the 20s or 30s) with a skin head from some old banjo, and he cleaned the instrument up a little, but otherwise didn't do much, and I'm wondering what I can do to make it sound as good as it can sound. I'd love some advice.
It clearly needs new strings -- he put on some random used ukulele strings, and I'm sure they're old. I figure I'll pop on some Aquilas, though does it matter what kind I use? I see some people using concert or tenor strings for their banjolele, but then I saw Aquila also make banjolele-specific strings. What's the difference, besides the wound C-string?
I'm also thinking of putting on new tuners, as these may be slipping a little -- or else it's the old strings. Any good reason not to change them out? And I prefer geared tuners, but does it matter what kind I use? Or the brand?
What else can I do after I take the strings off to make it play a bit better? The intonation isn't perfect, and as of now there's a buzz on one string, but I'm wondering how much will improve with new strings and/or tuning pegs. It has a very low action, which is incredibly comfortable, but I wonder if that might have to do with the buzz.
Lastly -- anyone recognize the headstock or anything enough to have a clue about who might've made this instrument?
Thanks!
But it could use some work. The person I bought it from replaced the original head (which he guessed looked to be from from the 20s or 30s) with a skin head from some old banjo, and he cleaned the instrument up a little, but otherwise didn't do much, and I'm wondering what I can do to make it sound as good as it can sound. I'd love some advice.
It clearly needs new strings -- he put on some random used ukulele strings, and I'm sure they're old. I figure I'll pop on some Aquilas, though does it matter what kind I use? I see some people using concert or tenor strings for their banjolele, but then I saw Aquila also make banjolele-specific strings. What's the difference, besides the wound C-string?
I'm also thinking of putting on new tuners, as these may be slipping a little -- or else it's the old strings. Any good reason not to change them out? And I prefer geared tuners, but does it matter what kind I use? Or the brand?
What else can I do after I take the strings off to make it play a bit better? The intonation isn't perfect, and as of now there's a buzz on one string, but I'm wondering how much will improve with new strings and/or tuning pegs. It has a very low action, which is incredibly comfortable, but I wonder if that might have to do with the buzz.
Lastly -- anyone recognize the headstock or anything enough to have a clue about who might've made this instrument?
Thanks!