Banjo armrests provide greater comfort while simultaneously increasing tone quality of an instrument. Before purchasing one, however, it is important to consider several important aspects.
Armrests provide protection for tension hoop and head structures by keeping arms from touching one another, which could dampen sound waves and protects the head against potential damage.
Adjustable Height
When purchasing a banjo armrest, it is essential that it can be adjusted in height for comfort and avoid strain on your wrists. Furthermore, an easy installation and mounting system should allow the player to select their ideal configuration – the best armrests should provide various mounting options so they can find what best works for them.
A traditional Gibson flat armrest features one or two brackets to mount it to the banjo and is typically comprised of a flat metal bar that secures behind two tension hooks with solid clamping via hexagon screws that, when adjusted, tightens against them solidly. An alternative similar design, known as Deering banjo armrests are designed to sit close to the banjo head in various wood finishes and may also come equipped with adjustable tension hooks.
This Paragon banjo features an eye-catching armrest design. This excellent example has no major issues and all its hardware appears original; the only significant flaw appears to be its missing resonator that would have made this instrument louder and improved tone but could easily be added back if desired.
One other issue with this particular banjo was that its armrest was touching the player’s head when playing it, which should not have happened and likely dampened sound production and reduced volume output of this instrument. I suspect this occurred as a result of its armrest being attached to its tension hoop and moving slightly when tightening of head tensioned on.
Most banjo armrests are adjustable for height to provide you with an ideal position for your instrument. However, it’s essential to remember that any contact between body parts (arm or hand) and banjo heads will hinder their movements and reduce tone – hence why modern armrests are designed specifically to prevent this.
Comfort
The ideal banjo armrest should provide maximum comfort for your playing experience. Although several options exist on the market, not all offer equal levels of support; some may be rigid enough to cause wrist ache while others might not fit correctly or fit too softly. To avoid these problems altogether, look for high-quality armrest made of exotic wood that both looks attractive and is sturdy enough for years of use.
Deering Goodtime Armrest is an excellent option. Featuring its flat construction, which allows it to ride lower to the head of the banjo for added comfort, as well as easy installation using its set of instructions, plus its two specially-designed hooks that stay securely in place, this armrest makes an excellent choice.
An important thing to keep in mind when selecting an armrest is that any contact between the armrest and banjo head can have an adverse effect on its tone during play. Therefore, any contact between armrest and banjo should not restrict movement or rest on head; otherwise this can stifle vibrato and reduce sound volume. Furthermore, selecting one that can be adjusted in height would provide greater versatility given all players have varying approaches when hitting strings.
Most banjo armrests on the market are tailored specifically to certain kinds of banjos. For instance, conventional Gibson kind armrests feature one or two brackets that can be fixed to your instrument by stretching over its tension hooks, whereas Goodtime armrests boast flat construction that allows them to fit most 11” diameter open back banjos equipped with bracket shoes and hooks.
Nechville Comfort Bevel Armrest provides another solution, featuring a beveled surface designed to meet the angle of your arm as it meets the pot, making for comfortable playing experience and compatible with both conventional hook and nut style banjos and Nechville Heli-Mount banjos. Plus, its Grenedillo wood finish adds an appealing aesthetic element.
Compatibility
An armrest designed specifically for banjo should match its tone without restricting your movements or dampening head movement, nor compromise its sound production. Furthermore, its installation should be effortless.
Due to its larger surface area and ability to transmit vibrations more effectively than your hand or arm, the head has more potential to transmit vibrations effectively and should therefore be kept out of contact with by either using armrest or keeping hands off when playing. Armrest can prevent your hand from accidentally coming into contact with head when playing; armrest also help by keeping hands from touching head while playing.
There are various kinds of armrests on the market, but they all have similar features that will enhance comfort and performance of your banjo. While most are made of wood, others are plastic or metal and should be durable enough not to break easily. It is also important to choose an armrest that won’t become broken easily as this will give your instrument more support over time.
An ideal banjo armrest should be comfortable, adjustable and won’t alter your tone. A proper fit means not impeding on playing or blocking blood flow to fingers. Furthermore, selecting one with an eye-catching design would only add to its aesthetics and style of your banjo!
This Deering armrest features a flat design that rides lower to the head for greater player comfort and is an excellent solution for people who have nickel allergies. Crafted from exquisite exotic woods with natural finishes, this armrest fits any banjo featuring twenty-four hooks on its rim – this particular model has been used by Paddy Kiernan of Lands End Pine Marten fame and Tabitha Agnew Benedict of Cup O Joe Roots Revival fame respectively! Customizable options of different wood options will take 10-14 days with shipping including installation instructions included with your order.
Material
Material choice of a banjo armrest should be carefully considered. Ideally, it should be made of high-grade materials to match its style and keep players comfortable, durable enough to meet long-term use and compatible with its rim hook design. There are various kinds of armrests available; steel may be preferred while wood provides comfort during playback; others even match color of banjo body. It’s essential that any armrest chosen be easy and comfortable to install/use for optimal playback results.
The Gibson-style single bracket armrest is an ideal solution for those seeking to upgrade or replace their current armrest. Featuring a flat metal bar that positions behind tension hooks and clamps them directly to the pot assembly using hexagon screws, this armrest gives your banjo an old-school vibe with its vintage appearance and feel. This model makes an excellent addition for adding classic flair.
This armrest is an excellent upgrade option for original banjos. Featuring an eye-catching vintage aesthetic and being easy to install, its brass bolt and bar ensure strong enough support even during heavy playing sessions. Furthermore, its lightweight nature fits most standard 11″ pot 24 bracket Mastertone-style banjos.
Another advantage of a soft armrest is that it helps safeguard the plating on the banjo’s rim from wear, making playing more comfortable than with traditional flat metal armrests, which might otherwise contact your head and dampen its sound.
Some players may be concerned with how an armrest will alter the tone of their banjo. Although any contact between armrest and body can dampen sound production, most armrests do not have a negative impact. If this becomes a concern, an armrest that has been mounted directly to tension hoop may come into contact with your head and produce less sound than usual – however this can easily be resolved at an affordable cost by having it replated.