The

bridge conveys the vibrations of the string to the head and is another
important element in the chain of banjo tone creation. Traditionally, bridges
range from inch to ¾ inch in height and are made from maple with an ebony
cap. One of the quickest and easiest ways to change the sound of an entry-
level banjo is to replace the factory bridge with a quality, handmade bridge.
Chapter 13 helps you with this task.

Tailpiece
The tailpiece holds the strings at the pot end of the banjo and comes in
several different styles. Check out the setup guide in Chapter 13 to find out
more about how the tailpiece affects your banjo’s tone and how it’s adjusted.

Flange
The flange is the circular piece of metal that is fitted around the rim that
provides a platform to mount the resonator. It also holds the bottom of the
brackets.

Resonator
The resonator adds volume to your banjo and directs the sound you’re
making straight away from you and right into the ears of your adoring fans.
Like the rim, a resonator is made from three layers of laminated wood, most
often in some combination of maple and poplar, with a thin veneer of fancy
maple, mahogany, or walnut on the back and sides that matches the wood of
the neck. Some professional banjos have resonators with a single-piece
carved back, like a fine guitar or mandolin.

Shopping for a banjo

Now that you know a bit more about the features of a great bluegrass banjo,
you’re ready to start your search for your next instrument.

You can find good choices at every price level, but keep in mind that
the best choice for a first instrument may be one that’s borrowed from a
friend. If your banjo budget is severely limited, just about any banjo is
better than no banjo at all to get you started. If it’s got five strings that
stay in tune, you’re able to fret the strings, and the head isn’t broken,
then you’re in business (at least for a little while).
Start playing on whatever is handy now and keep on the lookout for your next