"If you want more "utility" from these sets, revert to the original faulty wiring, plug it in on the 4th of July and play Stars & Stripes Forever as the lights flash, the sparks fly, and the smell of an electric fire fills the air.…"

"I'll post some clear photos of originals this weekend.  I have two sets, one (which I have rewired) was missing the disconnect and cord.  The other has all the parts but I need to rewire it.  Really, I just need to buy the wire…"

"I wear a suit of armor when I play.  It also protects me from the beer bottles and rotten fruit. "

"The side note - I have also come to realise that the sound of the banjo greatly changes with what I wear! If I wear a Berghaus fleece or similar, the sound is a lot worse as it absorbs all the tones of my open back CE Professional. If I wear a…"

"Really interesting conversation - I personally seem to find the humidity in my hard case is higher than the room it’s stored in. I got a cheapo hygrometer and a Dadarrio one. The cheap one can go wildly out, whereas the Daddario is way more…"

"Ah. Well the DIY would explain the amateur wiring. This particular set had normal un-tinted bulbs but they were set in translucent casings of different colors, something like the red chili pepper lights we saw in Mexican restaurants and soon after…"

"As far as I have found, there were only one make of factory lights, Elton.  They did not flash, but they did come with colored bulbs.  I have not seen any off the shelf flashers, but I have seen a number of DIY, obviously from the post WW2…"

"Here in South Carolina, the RH in summer rarely gets below 80%. I just don't play my vellum headed banjos out on the porch. The A/C keeps the inside of the house at 60%. I forgot a few weeks ago and trotted the 12" CE Pro out to the…"

"I think the lights may have been for both warming and visual effect. Of course the colors and flash were for entertainment but where did the idea of lights inside a banjo come from?  Maybe from drying/warming lights.   This was a banjo…"

"Somewhat similar, this weekend I was playing a Weaver that I have not had very long.  I got it in parts at the last ABF rally. I guess the humidity dropped significantly around sunset (windows were open) as my 4th string peg suddenly…"

"Jody, the flashing lights were not for warming, per se, but were a spawn of "Shakey's Pizza" showmanship.  I recall seeing a FIGA News article showing how to make these flashers to add some "flash" to go with your…"

"I've never had problems of the effects of humidity causing a slack head and dull tone. But I have had a vellum explode due to excessively dry air in an air-conditioned venue.  David, yes you may be paying more attention to the changes than…"

"Those lights are easy to rewire.  Modern insulated lamp wire that is braided over is pretty easy to get on Amazon or similar.  It is usually just a few screws to loosen and tighten, no different then rewiring a table lamp.  They were…"

"Thank you for all that. I have the nylon strung CE Professional banjo in a case all the time when not playing it. The humidity is often as high as 70% when reading with the hygrometer inside the case (!) and 55% (with the dehumidifier running) where…"

"I've been playing banjos fitted with natural vellum for over 60 years and never had any serious problems. I wrap the hoop/pot of my banjo in good quality plush velvet cloth which remains in the banjo case when not in use. The cloth prevents…"