Traditional Banjo Setup & Maintenance - Clifton Hicks

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I've taught banjo setup for over twenty years; during that time my understanding of musical instrument organology has developed considerably. In this discussion I delve more deeply into the subject than I have in previous videos, examining in detail the use and maintenance of friction pegs, tying gut strings, different types of bridges and tailpieces--their histories, strengths, and weaknesses--different approaches to banjo head material and tensioning, etc.
00:47 place the bridge
01:13 check the intonation
02:01 tie nylon strings
02:24 place strings in nut slots
03:00 nylon strings vs steel strings
03:36 more on tying nylon strings
04:40 melt the ends of nylon or gut strings
05:14 tie the thumb string
05:26 tailpiece discussion
09:07 bridge discussion
13:09 banjo head discussion
16:04 clean the banjo
18:04 maintain friction pegs
19:14 tie gut strings
20:28 using friction pegs
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[@rogersnyder3776]

This is very helpful thank you! I also recently found out that we are related through the Hicks family in Girard (Eire) Pa. Small world! Thanks for all you do with the old time banjo! I love it!

[@chrismlastname]

The most underrated instrument, i bought my first banjo almost 2 years ago after hearing you play ruby ridge and now i have a dozen old banjos, thank you for preserving history and cheers from ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@rafaelfernandeslopesdeoliv1700]

I'm sorry but the title of most underrated instrument belongs to the recorder.

[@Thebloodybanjo]

I put a Clifton Essex bridge (your recommendation) onto my recording king (with nylon strings)…wow!!! It made the banjo 10x better…the sound was better in every way (louder too). I emailed Clifford Essex and he said ‘bridges, the magic wands of banjos’! 😂😂😂 best £13 I ever spent.

[@_roughsawn_3990]

You, Leroy, grandpa and string have been my biggest inspiration.

[@jivprod9871]

I have to say that a week ago, i wanted to quit everything to play banjo on an open field. I had a feeling that was the only way to be finally free. I'm a new suscriber, but i'm sure you must have touch my soul. I can't quite my life but you gave me a touch of freedom. Clifton Hicks, you were my hero for a minute. No jokes. Thank's you so much and i'm sure your strings don't care, they know you love them.

[@jeffhutton8324]

But, that was autumn corn, it's only now spring? this guy has powah... fingerpower on the one side, frettin on the other. Everyone is doing it in real life anyhow. No wonder it touches the soul. Take it out of context and bring it back, it'll be a hit. Dope... Clifton does it right enough for me.

[@bearshield7138]

I have learned so much from you I have delighted in spending most of the day, yesterday and today in the back yard, working on a kerfing plane. My second attempt at resewing an oak board has definitely, going better than the first try. I had over a 1/2 inch of runout over 20 inches of run. I am not quite done with my second try, but it looks like I will have much less than an 1/8 of an inch over a similar length. I am getting better at both sharpening and using my hand planes, but I still need more practice at putting my 9-inch bench plane back to gather and getting it to work. I bought it at a garage sale and restored it. I also have several other small hand planes to retore or to use for parts. I thank you for all your help and encouragement. Soon I hope to start on my first dulcimer. After a few of those I hope to grow into building banjos and violins.

[@invrl]

Thanks for the video, Clifton! I always have such joy watching your instructional videos since not many know the ins and outs of older, more traditional, banjos!

[@5150show]

Super cool

[@Philharmonica-7445]

My grandaddy made his own banjo! Carved the neck and everything! I love good banjo music! It's in my blood! I play blues harp myself! I'm working on a more country Bluegrass style!👍🙏🏼🇺🇸❤

[@rogermcadams8806]

Thanks Clifton! Just got into these traditional banjos recently and yes will be grabbing a J. Hooks for my 1897 Special Thoroughbred ( yep wearing a ebony capped 3 leg with nylon ). Wish you had touched on bridge height also this one is 5/8 and it's my understanding that the old Stewart bridges were 1/2. I have a old B&D also with the original Rogers calfskin head in good condition. Really like the sound. Anyway keep the videos coming!

[@AGuyThatMakesStuff]

I fell in love with the banjo and folk music thanks to you.

[@Mamlishways]

Thanks kindly for the good info!

[@Philharmonica-7445]

I think my grandaddy actually used "cat gut" strings! 👍🙏🏼🇺🇸❤

[@muttandjeff5213]

Thanks as always Clif! Is this video from your Banjo Course?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yes. Full course available at BanjoHeritage.com

[@itsobvious5835]

That's a lot of information. Thanks

[@jeffandthings77]

Love your playing, and your tips. I am curious, as one without the cash for an antique banjo-can you rig up a Goodtime with nylon and fix it up like you talk about? I've come to hate the overly bright sound of the steel on the Goodtime, but am nervous to change things up-especially buying Nylon online and such.

[@peterdrabble8996]

Mint ❤

[@Philharmonica-7445]

I donno man! I kinda love that "twang"! But I get what you're saying!👍🙏🏼🇺🇸❤

[@MuddygutSailingAndOutdoors]

Hi I’m fairly new to banjo so this is probably a dumb question, you mention at around 1:05 that the bridge should be slightly angled, what is the reason for that, and what does it do.

[@zachb8012]

You'll figure it out pretty quickly, huh? I didn't wind up cursing every time I changed my strings for well over a year. Never once have I tied a string in, brought it up to tension and had the knot slip the second I cut the tag off the tailpiece. No need to keep another set of the same strings around just in case you make a mistake. No sir.

[@michaelbaker602]

I would agree that most 19th century banjos should only be strung with nylon strings; however, Bob Smakula holds that the majority of A.C. Fairbanks banjos he’s dealt with were able to handle steel.

[@thomasmihaly1033]

I enjoy listening. I don't play 😮

[@zacharytaylor3054]

Question for you man: I remember you had a black powder boar hunting rifle. Are those legal for hunting deer? And hypothetically speaking, would that also apply to flintlock pistols? Lol.. Also, great playing. I learned 2 finger thumb lead from you many years ago.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Yeah, "primitive" deer season opens early, and that means archery, muzzleloaders, flitnlocks, caplocks, I think they'll even let you hunt with spears.

[@havoc6441]

Beautiful instrument. Can you please play undone in sorrow by Ola Belle Reed on your you tube channel. Thank you.

[@charleswatson7154]

What about coating a goatskinhead with linseed oil?

[@slicksnewonenow]

Not to answer for Clifton, but I'd imagine that the solvent would dry up the skin....

[@colehyden2879]

Mr hicks I know this isn’t relevant to what this video is about but I have gotten into the habit of picking with a singular thumb how do break this habit

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

You mean you only pick with your lone thumb?

[@colehyden2879]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo yes sir

[@colehyden2879]

I’m able to play over hand pretty well but when I go to two finger pick I find my self using just my thumb which I know isn’t the proper way to play.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

@colehyden2879 well there's no proper way but it's a lot easier if you use trigger finger also. Have you watched my "Two Finger Banjo for the Complete Beginner" video? Let your thumb pick everything on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th strings, but your trigger picks everything on the 1st and 2nd strings.

[@colehyden2879]

No sir I have not watched that video I really appreciate the help thank you.

[@Randomedude.]

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