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Just Received Doc's #195 - How Long Does It Take To Assess?
From pjmarp on 5/6/2014 3:17:14 PM
Hi all. I posted this as a comment to another post, but meant to start a new entry. This afternoon I was thrilled to received Doc's 195 (used from Elderly). I have a few days to assess whether it's the banjo for me. It's beautiful for sure.
I wonder how long it has taken you to assess? I am an advanced beginner, Scruggs for now, but prefer open backs and mellower tone.
The shorter bridge (of Doc's) that is came with, made the action acceptably low. It is scalloped. I find the short slides work well, but the sound is lost in longer slides. That could be me adjusting, but not sure.
Any thoughts appreciated, thank you. Pam
8 Comments |
 | jmoathout says:
5/6/2014 5:28:26 PM
That's a very nice banjo (I looked at Doc's site). I've got #169 and #220. For me, it took a while to get used to the wider neck. I find the scalloped fretboard very comfortable. I'm not sure how long a slide you are looking for?? For instance, slides up to the 5th fret on #1 or #4 seem fine to me and I haven't ventured further.
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 | pjmarp says:
5/6/2014 7:49:51 PM
That's good to know about the slides, thanks for writing. After playing most of today, I think my initial issues may have been a need to adjust to the neck and also I think it needs new strings. I am going to ask Elderly tomorrow, but maybe because its a consignment, I don't think the strings are new. I'm starting to think that by tomorrow I wouldn't dream of sending it back.
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| jmoathout says:
5/6/2014 7:59:13 PM
I meant to mention - be sure to check/verify he proper bridge location so intonation is correct. I reckon that would affect slides.
Which sting slide were you concerned with?
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| pjmarp says:
5/7/2014 5:56:00 AM
Great thought - I went back and checked photos and saw that the bridge was closer to the neck and angled. I have tried to replicate that and found that it has made a difference in ways I didn't expect. I don't have it adjusted perfectly yet, but obviously am learning. Thanks.
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| jmoathout says:
5/7/2014 6:51:16 AM
Your #195 is a 25.5" scale. It should be 12 3/4" from the nut to the 12th fret, and also 12 3/4" from the12th fret to the bridge. That should get you close. As you probably know, with the bridge properly located the individual long strings should ring a harmonic with lightly touched just over the 12th fret and the string stuck. The harmonic will be an octave higher than the plucked open string. Bridge location and head tension make a world of difference. Let us know how it works out. I suspect when Elderly shipped it the bridge was laid flat without any particular attention to location.
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| pjmarp says:
5/8/2014 8:19:18 AM
I'm traveling but will implement tomorrow and let you know. How have you determined head tension on your Doc banjos? I am in NYC right now and headed to a music store on 48th for strings and maybe I'll see what they have for measuring tension. Thanks again.
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| pjmarp says:
5/8/2014 8:21:27 AM
I just read your previous post about drum tension, so will ask about a Regal Tip.
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| jmoathout says:
5/8/2014 2:06:53 PM
Some people also use a Drum Dial, but it a bit pricy. I'd suggest looking at the topic Head Tension on the Doc's group and see what darrenjahn has to say. I tend to go around the rim sequentially tightening the hooks, although the alternating method is probably better, but harder for me to keep up with). Go slow. At some point the banjo will come alive. Also search for comments by John Bach owner of the Reiter group and the Skin Head group. He has a lot to say about proper setting of head tension.
But, also search on BHO for the Steve Davis Quarter method. It's essentially using coins to measure the depression caused by the bridge. It uses a straight edge and coins. Steve also now sells a device which is suited for 11" heads. You can make a similar for 12" heads with an inexpensive yard stick.
It's also important to have the head level relative to the tension hoop - not cocked.
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