You will need to remove the resonator from the banjo, and loosen the banjo's neck and remove the bridge. Simply remove these and you can take off the resonator to access the neck bolt or to play your banjo with an open-back. However the downside is most of the extra weight remains, and you are stuck with a heavy banjo and the flange digging into your leg. Simply remove these and you can take off the resonator to access the neck bolt or to play your banjo with an open-back. The tailpiece is also removed when changing a banjo head. 8 years ago. Please note, some banjos come with a phillips-style screw so you would then need to use a screwdriver to remove them. My RB-250 was designed with the tube and plate not welded together so by removing the bracket nuts I was able to remove the flange. The screws attach to the "flange" which is a bracket that runs all around the outside of the banjo under the L brackets and is held on by the tension nuts. Remove the resonator from the back of the instrument. Judging by the pictures, it looks like the resonator is just screwed on there with some thumb screws. Comes with a vintage case, that works fine, but is missing the handle. Remove the resonator from the back of the banjo. because i can see where the resonator meets the neck they have this felt padding so it seems like its not entirely connected so that i can remove and put back on without scratching the wood. Put simply, a resonator banjo is going to be louder and brighter. Unscrew each thumb screw from the underlying lug nut attached to the inside of the resonator and set them aside. Fender banjos are fitted with a round wooden pan, called a resonator, on the back of the instrument. I would much prefer to use my lovely new banjo with the resonator that was designed for it. You can remove the resonator easily from most types of banjos. You can remove the resonator easily from most types of banjos. These resonators are easy to install and remove. That is how it was set up on my first banjo as well. It also helps with fatigue in your left arm. Locate the thumb screws in the flange around the outside of the instrument. Get a strap for your banjo. almost as if its intended. Remove the retention screws with the Phillips screwdriver and set the screws aside. Add a resonator to your banjo to enhance the instrument's sound projection. In Jacksonville, Fla., Frank Whittemore is a content strategist with over a decade of experience as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy and a licensed paramedic. You wouldn't need one if you only play at home of course, but if you're out playing a gig or at a jam session or festival it's so easy to inflict minor damage to the resonator. Others use thumb screws that fit through the outer flange on the banjo and screw into lug nuts on the inside of the resonator. Generally, it's the tone ring that will determines the difference between a folksy or a bluegrass sound. Your banjo does not have a flange, but 4 smaller brackets. Press J to jump to the feed. Whittemore writes on topics in medicine, nature, science, technology, the arts, cuisine, travel and sports. The screws attach to the "flange" which is a bracket that runs all around the outside of the banjo under the L brackets and is held on by the tension nuts. It is used to amplify and redirect sound out the front of the banjo. I have a similar model Fender and took the resonator off just last night. On almost all banjos the resonator is removable via a few thumb screws. On almost all banjos the resonator is removable via a few thumb screws. Re.5-string banjos,they fall into 2 camps - Open back = no resonator at all,& resonator banjos with the resonator & flange. ok nice. Mine is not as comfortable sitting in the lap because of the design of the tone ring, but take that sucker off! He has over 15 years experience writing for several Fortune 500 companies. A subreddit for discussion of bluegrass, old-time, and tenor banjo. Banjo's are reasonably easy to modify after purchase. The resonator is usually quite easy to remove, but the flange can be a problem depending on the banjo. The resonator can be removed from any banjo that has one as you say. We are not sure who the maker was, so anyone with more information, please email. And it lets you dance and play at the same time. While a resonator affects the tone, it does more to affect the volume. However the downside is most of the extra weight remains, and you are stuck with a heavy banjo and the flange digging into your leg. An attractive, well designed cover would not only provide protection but could also look great. Unscrew each thumb screw from the underlying lug nut attached to the inside of the resonator and set them aside. How to Find the Model of Your Wurlitzer Piano, How to String a Guitar With Locking Tuners, Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. That way you don't have to set it on your lap. Some resonator banjos, like the Deering Goodtime 2 are constructed slightly differently, using what they call "bracket and shoe" construction. Well if you want to play scruggs style, like 3 finger picking more bluegrassy like this your gonna want a resonator. Remove Jameson Banjo Resonator There are 4 thumb-screws that hold on the resonator on the Jameson banjo. Building, buying, set-up, learning, playing, etc. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Please note, some banjos come with a phillips-style screw so you would then need to use a screwdriver to remove them. As pictured. I play clawhammer and i was wondering if i can remove the resonator to make it more true to the folk sound so that it's open back. I had no problems taking the resonator off and on. I'm not too sure what you mean about banjos with removable resonators though,but that's only because i haven't seen the style you mean. Some banjos have the tube and flange as one piece and so you won't be able to get the flange off. The title says it all. A bluegrass banjo with it's resonator off will still sound like a bluegrass banjo, just quieter. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Remove the resonator from the back of the banjo. It may be necessary to remove the resonator to adjust the neck's tension rod within the instrument or to make other adjustments or repairs.