I bought mine about three years ago and it has become my constant friend and companion. I have tried various kinds of strings and settings and tunings. I have finally settled for the time being on the "g" tuning dropped back to key of "e." I have medium weight strings on it having changed from light weight. On a whim, I reversed my trend to keep the head very tight and loosened it to where there was no tension on the devices...and then I put on about one half turn on all of them.
I may sound crazy to the rest of you, but it now produces a deeper, more mllow tone with the characteristic volume of that grand "Whyte Laydie tone ring. Wow, does it sound good! Anyone tried anything like this?
6 Comments |
 | gabe4444 says:
3/13/2011 12:50:50 PM
nope....but i'm gonna now!
thanks for sharing!
have you tried any other modifications?
bridges? head?
i've been thinking of trying some things out and as sort of a newbie to the instrument don't know a ton about it
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 | John Herrington says:
3/13/2011 2:35:16 PM
Gabe4444,
I have loved the instrument and played on it for three years now. It has always been clear, cutting through in a small group, but I had wanted a banjo where I could have a little more "old time sound," whatever that actually means. I bought a used Enoch Tradesman which is supposed to be the very cat's meow for that sound...and was completely underwhelmed with it's worksmanship,no comparison to the G T...sounded pretty good, but the experience has been somewhat disappointing.
In the process I took the bull by the horns, changed the set up on my GT and began to work out on it a great deal and it has come alive for me. I have even played in "Double whatever it is"(the equivalent to double c when tuned to the key of "G"), and it sparkles.
No I still have the factory bridge and the no knot tail piece, and medium weight strings, and same head that it came with. All I know is it is a great sounding "Jo."
Banjos are crazy!
Old John on the Big Horn
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| gabe4444 says:
3/14/2011 11:31:01 AM
thanks John!
I'll let you know how some of my experiments turn out as it sounds like we're looking for similar sounds.
thanks!
gabe
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 | Banjosnob says:
4/20/2011 3:00:24 AM
My constant companion is also my "whyte Ladye". Sounds great, light weight and I can use a gig bag (also lighter than those hsc's) Bought a very expensive banjo and regretted it due to the weight. I have dealt with the people at Gold Tone and they were always helpful and friendly. I love this banjo!
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 | David M says:
4/26/2011 2:35:38 AM
Hi All,
I have had my MC 150 open back for over 10 years and still play it every day. I only pick bare finger so the combination of that and open back meant my volume suffered badly when out. So, my mate Graham had a look (sets up banjos for a local trader) and tightened the head and replaced the bridge to a standard shop one as the original had bowed, then reset the torsion neck rod to get a clean action, no buzzing and handed it back... the result, a much sharper, louder banjo, but not the mellow sound I enjoyed for all those years indoors.
I reverted back to slackening off the head clamps which lowered the bridge again, then sorted the slight buzz. I then had a look at the Emerson Power Bridge, the version that is meant to give an old time sound with increased volume... it reverted the banjo to the sharpe loud sound Graham had produced..! So I'm back to square one, I love the tone indoors but it's pretty u/s playing out.
Now I'm looking into mounting a hardwood plate on the back with felt spacers to act as a home shift resonator that I can fit when I go out... ;-)
Best wishes....David
P.S.... I've tried all sorts of strings and have come the conclusion that they all sound a lot more mellow when months old, far too resonant and brittle sounding when new for me. OK for bluegrass or the real banger, but not a smooth sound IMO.. ;-)
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 | shannonhearne says:
5/21/2014 3:24:05 PM
For an excellent hide head, contact John Walsh, a BHO Member.
His prices are very reasonable, and his hide heads are great !
I have Balsh goat skin hide heads on several banjos, including two Gold Tones
-Shannon
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