Banjo FAQ

What kind of banjo do you play? 

My main banjo is an Ome Juggernaut Standard Jazz model, with engraved black chrome, made from curly maple. It is a 4-string plectrum (which is a different creature from a 5-string or tenor banjo).  This is the banjo I use for performing.  I adore its sound and feel.  The beautiful armrest on it was made for me by Norbert Pietsch, in Germany.  I also own an Ome Juggernaut Standard Jazz plectrum, made from mahogany. That came with nickel plating, to which Ome added gold hooks and a gold armrest, so now it has a nice two-tone look.   I keep this at home, and consider it my back-up instrument.  I do not own any other banjos.  

How do you tune your banjo?

I play standard plectrum tuning, which is, low to high:  C-G-B-D

Is it an open back banjo?

Actually, no.  I use a clear plexiglass resonator, so needless to say it’s difficult to see that it’s there.  My banjo originally had a resonator and flanges, which I removed in order to take off a bit of the weight and make the size a smaller, nicer fit for me.  The plexiglass resonator sits on 4 small plexiglass “legs” that keep it separated from the rim.  Check out the photos for details.       

What kinds of strings do you use?

I use ball end strings, since they are faster for me to change than loop end strings.  Like many banjo tailpieces, mine accepts both ball end and loop end so I have a choice.  I found that I like the Vintage Bronze wound strings from GHS, as they have a warm, mellower tone.  I also sometimes use the regular steel on the wound strings as they seem to have better endurance, which is good for me since I’m sometimes lazy about changing my strings. By the way, I always order strings individually, by the gages (I use 28w, 20w, 15 & 12).  I never use those pre-selected “banjo string” packs. 
    
Is your pick thin, medium or heavy?

I prefer a heavier weight and use Tortex picks.  They are color coded by weight, and I like the blue ones, which are 1.0 mm thick.   

Do you ever break strings when you’re performing? 

Not often, but it does happen every now and then.  I used to be able to get it changed and tuned super fast, usually in far less than a minute, and would jump back into the tune before it ended.  But that all changed when I started wearing reading glasses and could no longer see the hole to thread the string into easily!  Oh well.  Now it’s hit or miss.

Click to enlarge: