Clad rims / allergy

[marc dalmasso]

Cannot play  one of my banjos with a  nickeled metal rim for the time because of an allergy on my right leg ; i play others ... Did somebody ever see this kind of problem ? ; the simple trouser or a rag / cloth beetween the banjo and my skin seems doing nothing .. any idea ?  a piece of leather ?

[Jody Stecher]

Since interfaces between the metal and your leg give no protection I'm wondering if the brackets are digging into your leg in a different way than on other banjos. Another thought: What happens when you touch the rim to another part of your body? Arm? Left leg? If no reaction, maybe there is something else affecting the right leg and the pressure of the banjo (with these particular brackets and weight)  is activating it?  

[thereallyniceman]

Very unusual, particularly as you have trouser cloth between your leg and the hoop!  If it is hot where you are maybe sweat could transfer nickel ions to your skin, but this is unlikely.

I think that Jody is probably closer with localised pressure from the tension nuts but why this should set off an allergy is baffling.

I have a similar problem with the Vega wire armrests. I had one on my Whyte Laydie for a while and it put so much localised pressure on my forearm that I developed a lump under the skin where it was pressing. I have since abandoned wire armrests and use CE flat bone/ plastic(?) type that feel a lot better.

As Steve suggested some sort of protector may help. I would try out a short strip if 10mm expanded plastic foam heating pipe insulation slipped over the edge of the hoop to both protect from the nickel and pad the banjo to see if the allergy goes away, or you could just give me the banjo to save all the trouble. 

[Russ Chandler]

Not quite your problem but I'm quite badly allergic to the metal on the typical banjo. I guess it's the nickel.  I've always thought there is a peculiar pathos to being allergic to ones own banjo.

For the benefit of anyone who comes across this post whilst looking for help with a similar issue here's my thoughts...

First off I always carry a cheap sweat band from a sports shop in all my banjo cases to put on my arm if I get caught short at a festival or whatever playing in a short sleeves.

Secondly there are a couple of good non metallic armrests out there I've used.

These guys make a thin plastic armrest that's very suitable for classic style when really you want as unobtrusive an armrest as you can get. I know Elias Sibley was impressed by mine. They're a bit fragile so be careful when you're fitting them but one time when I broke one by accident the swapped it for a new one no problem and they also arrive quickly considering they come from the US.

http://www.littlemountainmusic.com/solid-surface-banjomate-thinline...

I notice they also do a hardwood version but I haven't tried one of those.

On my Tubaphone custom which I use more for frailing and accompaniment I use one of these hardwood ones - they are beautifully made.

http://www.banjorev.com/accessories/armrest.htm

Not much help to Marc I know but I thought it worth sharing.

[marc dalmasso]

THanks everybody ;  strangely , i have no problems with the nickel armrests , only  on my right leg ; i play 50 % on my right leg , 50 % between the 2 legs ; it 's an habbit because of the 16 inches ' cello and i play the banjo i desire to play according to the moment or to the tune ;ones with woodhoop or with reso . I guess , these last times , i have played to much a nickel clad rim on the right leg ..

[Jody Stecher]

Is there a reaction when the banjo contacts a different part of your right leg? The left leg? (not for regular playing, just as an experiment). What happens to the usual spot on your right leg if something of equal weight to banjo makes contact?

Jody, doctor of banjolegology.

[marc dalmasso]

Doctor , i noticed this allergia some 2 years ago at least but i thought it was the sun  ( some problems with the sun too only during vacations in South Spain ) , nothing happens on the left leg or anywhere else ; only on my R leg ; when i began to practice , i cannot say how many time i stay .. , and on my last videos , i used to play  a couple of CE special with german silver rims ( one Weaver_made and the other all mapple by the mysterious CE ' luthier ) because the sound of these 2 Bjs  is fantastic ; and then the allergia re appeared . quasi sure the times before i didn 't played a clad ' banjo but another or a banjo with a reso . Don 't know why , by periods , you play an instrument or another without logical reasons  ; i know you understand me

[Hal Allert]

Marc, i have a piece of clear plastic tubing that extends around the bottom of my banjos. I punched holes in it where the nuts to the brackets are and pushed it on. Besides keeping my trousers from getting frayed, it adds friction to keep the banjo from sliding around on my legs. I bet this would work for you.

[Danielle Saxon Reeves]

You may have tried it, but would a chamois leather help?