How to Set Your Banjo Bridge // Essential Banjo Setup Tip

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[@akoporc]

Thanks, Eli! I am on day 8 of your 30 day beginner series. As a beginner, its great to understand the engineering of my banjo and fret placement for tuning. Thanks!

[@akoporc]

…I meant bridge placement

[@joshblain7476]

Thanks for this! I've been a guitar player for 20 years, and always wanted to learn banjo. I'm going through your 30 days course and it's been fantastic. I started to realize that my banjo wasn't in tune up the neck, and wondered if there was something wrong with it. Nope, just needed a bridge adjustment. I had to move mine back 3/4"! I couldn't believe it was that far off!

[@EvaderGuy]

Boy, did that clear up a lot of issues! You simplified that to the point where even me, a rank beginner, could understand it and now my inexpensive banjo is bridged correctly. Thank you very much. I started your 30 days of banjo three days ago, and I am loving it. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your instruction videos. It really means a lot.

[@CausticFlorFina]

i simply looked over at my banjo before youtube's algorythm hit me with this and i loudly holldered "YOU CAN *MOVE* THE **BRIDGE**??"

[@kylewarne7129]

I have been searching for a video explaining exactly this and have never been fortunate enough to find any, thank you so much! Every video is always amazingly helpful, thanks Eli 🎶

[@joelerudit3755]

Thanks so much! I had so much trouble with the second part of Boil that cabbage down, it sounded so crappy and I had no idea why, no it rings nicely!

[@SkremoMcThrftsto]

I came up with a mnemonic device to remember which way to move the bridge:
Fat Hands Break Banjos (FHBB) =
Fret Higher? Bridge Back

[@shaynegoodison]

Great video. might have trouble for awhile (as you suggest) remembering whether or not to adjust the bridge forward or backward. I have been worried about the bridge also needing to be at 90 degrees, but as you recommend, so long as the feet are solid on the head I should be ok. Thank you.

[@elisabethemory]

I followed the tutorial just to find out my bridge was already set in the correct spot...🤣 Thanks for the tips though, it's good to know!

[@Gurbamusic]

great video thanks man

[@dawsonrobbins]

Thank you for the info. Just bought a secondhand travel banjo ( Savanah ) sounds OK in the first frets but bloody awful even by the 5th. I'll get to work.

[@kendylhoudyshell1399]

Great suggestions Eli, thanks so much 👍

[@danawalker55]

Thank you for some very helpful information!🪕

[@cynthiastrite6439]

Thanks so much I needed that!

[@donaldfair4259]

Eli , you and Jim Pankey give the same recommendation for bridge placement . Thank you for this video . 👏🪕

[@carloscruz2582]

This was a life saver!

[@Banjo63]

Very good tutorial!

[@jackthompson6383]

3:15 I keep forgetting this

[@shotover7719]

Excellent info Eli! Thank you! I am taking you 30 day beginner banjo class. I am on day 2. I learned a little banjo playing when I was 13-14 years old but never stuck with it. I grew up on Earl Sgruggs and Lester Flat and Roy Rogers, I am now 60 and truly dedicated to learn. Maybe a little late but better late than never. I still have that same old cheap banjo from back then but is good enough for now. I have been looking at new banjo's online and have one in mind. Do you have any recommendations for me? The one I have my eyes on is a Gold Tone Style 3 Twanger 5 string Blue Grass Banjo. I would welcome your recommendation. Thank you!

[@derekshipley9829]

GREAT,! AS ALWAYS...!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

"Anti Banjo Banjo Club" That's awesome 🤣

[@pj-yh2cj]

Does this also work on Mini/ travel sized banjos? I have a little one.

[@kcbanjonut]

Yes

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Yep!

[@hippiblue]

I've been thinking a lot about 440hz vs 432hz, and how, why and when to tune my banjo for each? My electronic tuner applications on my phone lets pick eather one.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Ignore 432hz, 440 every time 👍

[@kcbanjonut]

That's a legitimate question. In my 46 years of picking banjo, tuning methods have varied over time and with different groups. Ideally, 440 has always and still is the default goal. However, 30 years ago and before it was not uncommon for people in a group to tune to one common source. At one radio station where we did a weekly show, we typically all tuned to a "G note on the host's harmonica. Even though harmonicas with reeds "can" vary a wee bit, at least we were all tuned the same. We didn't even care about 440.
Today, when playing along with old recordings you "might" find them not to be at 440. You might be able to find the matching note at a steady pitch of anything on your tuner. For instance, if you set your tuner to 435 and find that after tuning all strings to that... that you match the old recording. Thus, being able to use your tuner for something other than 440 is helpful in that case.
Since the advent of electronic tuners the default is 440 when setting up for recording or even jams. (Thank goodness for electronic tuners!!!)
Most corrections that I do when playing along with older or out-of-440 recordings are done using software or apps. My favorite of late is "Music Speed Changer" from the Google Apps Store. (It may be available for iPhone or other OS as well thru other sources.) Using that App, I can play any mp3 and adjust the pitch even to change the key as well as change the speed. I adjust the mp3 to have IT match my 440 tuning. If it's a tune or lick that I am studying, I slow it down. Anyway, I end up tuning to 440 for that situation as well as for jams and recording.
I hope this helps answer your question.