Zither Banjo tailpiece question

[Tom McArdle]

Hello everyone,

 I have a John G Abbot Zither Banjo arriving next Monday. I managed to win it on eBay for just under $180, including shipping and taxes.

the bridge does not look correct, and the strings appear to be attached in an unusual manner.

Do the little rings near the rim indicate ball end strings? Is something missing?

 I’m really looking forward to seeing it, and starting my journey with it.

thanks for any input!

[Jody Stecher]

See the conversation on this website about this banjo over the last few days.  I'm not sure what "the rings" are. The nubs or hooks or whatever they are called (near the end of the tailpiece) are designed for loops. See many conversations here about what kind of strings to use on a zither-banjo. Three kinds!   The bizarre attachment of the strings in the photo is... well... bizarre.   This kind of three footed ebony-topped bridge is not the ideal bridge for a regular banjo for playing the Classic Banjo style and repertoire but sometimes it is very good on zither-banjo. That's what I use on my JE Dallas z-b. The two footed bridges I've tried do not bring out the best sound. The bridges that were designed (by Cammeyer I think) are odd. They have round feet. And they tend to tip over. 

[Tom McArdle]

Thanks for the tip on the bridge. I’ll try that one first. It look to me that there are five “rings” or loops under the back edge of the tailpiece. 

I guess I will see what is what on Monday.

[Keith Stephen]

I have tried to draw a picture for you.

[Tom McArdle]

Thank you Keith. Did you use procreate to draw that? The ovals and lines look great! Thanks for taking the time!

[Jake Glanville]

I was rather amused by the way the strings are attached in the picture.  Somebody must have got totally exasperated trying to put the strings on!  This is NOT how to do it.  The tailpiece is there to exert a downward pressure on the strings, and they should be below.

Quite a few ZB's had this way of attaching the strings.  How my banjo ancestors must have cursed way back in the 1900's!

You will need loop-end strings, and for tail pieces like these I wouldn't recommend Nylgut or Clifford Essex ZB strings, because tie-ons are a real pig, as there often isn't room.

I usually use a button hook to manipulate the loop, and bend the strings downward at the loop.  Sometimes i use a bit of Blu-tac to keep the string in place on the little round attachment at the tailpiece while adding a little tension to the string with the tuning peg/key.  Easy when you know how. 

The John G Abbot is a nice little ZB.  I hope you enjoy playing it.

Black Jake of Norwich, England.

[Jody Stecher]

I have used Nylgut #73 for the middle G string and Aquila Type D copper wound on Nylgut for the bass on 5 different zither-banjos each with a unique tailpiece and never had a problem finding ample room for the loop.  The nubs are pretty close together on this tailpiece. If there's no room for loops you can create a ball end by making a thick knot and using the spaces between the nubs to hold the balls in place.

Jake Glanville said:

I was rather amused by the way the strings are attached in the picture.  Somebody must have got totally exasperated trying to put the strings on!  This is NOT how to do it.  The tailpiece is there to exert a downward pressure on the strings, and they should be below.

Quite a few ZB's had this way of attaching the strings.  How my banjo ancestors must have cursed way back in the 1900's!

You will need loop-end strings, and for tail pieces like these I wouldn't recommend Nylgut or Clifford Essex ZB strings, because tie-ons are a real pig, as there often isn't room.

I usually use a button hook to manipulate the loop, and bend the strings downward at the loop.  Sometimes i use a bit of Blu-tac to keep the string in place on the little round attachment at the tailpiece while adding a little tension to the string with the tuning peg/key.  Easy when you know how. 

The John G Abbot is a nice little ZB.  I hope you enjoy playing it.

Black Jake of Norwich, England.

[Tom McArdle]

Thank you both for the advice! 

[Jake Glanville]

Thanks, Tom.  I should have said '...bend the loop UP...'  Brain fog due to Covid-18.5!!  You'll soon get the hang of it.

Best Wishes,

BJ.

Tom McArdle said:

Thank you both for the advice!