Chrome is pretty low maintenance. Nickel plating requires a little more attention. The metal parts on your banjo are usually chrome or nickel plated. Some tuning pegs and tailpieces are particularly vulnerable to damage, and sometimes the entire banjo is too lightly constructed for steel strings. While many of these banjos will hold light gauge strings, caution is recommended. If your banjo was made around the turn of the (last) century it was probably made for gut strings. You’ll need to decide between light and medium gauge strings, but that’s about it. STRINGSĬontemporary banjos use steel strings. And watch out for some of those guitar stands that don’t securely hold banjos…. Be careful when leaning the case upright. If the case happens to fall over the most frequent damage is cracking the neck near the headstock. MYSTERY DAMAGEīe aware that your instrument can be damaged while it is in the case, even a hard shell case. Think twice before deciding to fly with your instrument. You may not be allowed to carry your instrument on board, and your instrument is often treated no better than someone’s socks and t-shirts. Also, airlines are notorious for damaging instruments. Instruments are safer in a hard shell case, but remember to guard against heat damage.
A good quality skin head is less likely to split due to dryness. If this is the case, you will need to keep your instrument in a humidified environment or possibly loosen the head slightly. Low humidity in winter is not usually an issue for banjos unless your banjo has a skin head. If your instrument has been out in the cold, let it warm up gradually in the case before taking it out and playing it. This will also prevent moisture from condensing on your instrument. Sudden temperature changes can encourage the head to split or cause cracks in the finish. Many imported instruments are less prone to heat damage because they are built with high-tech glues (this can also make them more difficult to repair), but any instrument can be damaged by heat. Also, avoid other direct sources of heat. Don1t leave your instrument in your car on a sunny day the temperature inside can build up quickly. Glues holding your instrument together can soften with heat, causing parts to shift. Many instruments are damaged by heat during the summer, and by sudden temperature changes in winter.