Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 12:40:45 -0700
Subject: Goodtime 2 Set-up

Hi Mickey,

Greetings Matt,

I purchased a Goodtime 2 from you (back in Q2 2002?) and I am enjoying it very much. I understand that you folks had set it up before shipping to me, and when it arrived it was perfect. I have changed the strings several times since then and I continue to use light gauge strings exclusively. I'm now getting some buzz on the 3rd and 4th strings and it bugs me. Can you suggest anything that a banjo neophyte might do to correct this, and restore the original sound quality of my Goodtime? 

There could be a couple of reasons that you're encountering this buzzing:

1. The light gauge strings you're using now vary from the original light just enough to affect the tension on the neck...which is causing more buzzing...a lighter gauge string will have less pull on the neck which allows it to bow back slightly, which, in turn, may be allowing the strings less distance from the frets...try a medium gauge string to see if the buzzing corrects itself...and, besides, you probably have built up your callouses by now...

2. If the above doesn't correct the buzzing, it could be that your bridge is now sagging...from a looser tension on the head...try tightening the head with a socket wrench that fits the tension hooks...go in a star pattern tightening each hook individually until it feels somewhat snug...this should raise the bridge slightly and increase the brightness and volume...while hopefully, eliminating the buzzing problems you're encountering...

If you're having any problems with the above adjustment, feel free to call Tradd our in-house luthier...he'd be glad to assist you over the phone with these adjustments...or maybe even assist you in finding the cause of the buzzing...Mickey

Thanks in advance for your help. 

Best Regards,

Matt Stevenson
Calgary, Alberta, CANADA