I joined the workshop this past Sunday with John Boulding and to be honest I had my reservations. But hay I spent $18.00 for a banjo set up book and figured I only had a couple lunches to loose. I've had my Fender apart a few times and what the heck I ain't scared so after John's demonstration I went right to work. Well I used to think that this banjo didn't sound too awful bad for being used but it did have a slight buzz on the 4th string and playing up the neck the notes had no sustain at all but overall the tone wasn't too bad.
It took about 1 1/2 hrs to teardown and reassemble (after a well deserved cleaning).
I have to say this was the best $20.00 I've spent. I've tried different sized and type bridges, strings, 3 different heads, tail pieces,etc,etc. some of you who are going to read this will understand. None of this was what I wanted to hear. It didn't sound "right". That was before yesterday. Today I'm playing a banjo now. I was so blown away with what had just happened I just had to email John a big thank you. I am going to get on of them old piano bridges 'cause that thing sounded sweet. But to make a long winded story shorter I don't need nothing for this thing now (maybe some of that pixie dust would be nice).
Just had to say thanks again John. I'm sold you KNOW your STUFF.