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Note:
This skootching back and forth will untune your banjo, but it's necessary. When you've got the bridge in the right place,
you can retune.
Why does this work? When you make a string half as long as it was before it goes up an octave. In a perfect world, the
distance from the 12th fret to the nut should be exactly the same as the difference between the 12th fret and the bridge.
But when you push down on the string, you are stretching it just a little, so if the distances are exactly equal, the fretted
string will be a tiny bit sharp. So you skootch the bridge toward the tailpiece a tad to compensate. Once they are the
same, compare the octave overtone on the high D (first) string to the sound of the same string fretted at the twelfth
fret. This time you adjust by skootching just the end of the bridge. 90% of the time the bridge will not look "straight"
when you're done. In most cases, the part under the skinny strings will wind up closer to the neck than the part under
the heavy strings. sometimes there's quite an angle. This is normal, now retune the banjo.
BANJO CARE & MAINTENANCE
Storing
In general musical instruments like the same environment as their player, they need conditions where it is not too hot
or hot and certainly not wet or damp! Keep your instrument clean and free from dust, dirt and moisture.
Never leave it near a radiator or in a window where direct sunlight can fall upon the instrument and bake it.
Never leave your banjo stored in a cold or damp place eg. cellar, loft or out in the garage!
Cleaning
Each time you have played your instrument give it a wipe over with a lint free cloth to remove finger marks.
The strings can be cleaned with a string cleaning lubricant. From time to time you may want to polish your instrument,
always check that this is suitable for the finish on your instrument. Always remove finger and body marks by using
cleaning cloths. Never use abrasive cleaners as this can remove the plating.
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