Debuted in 2019 at the California NAMM show. The Kavanjo 'Railrider' Pickup System is available for the 4 or 5 string banjo. The pickup unit sits underneath the head like the standard Kavanjo, but instead of the screws through the head there is a special clamp that fits to the co-ordinating rod making it invisible from the top side. This patented system, brings a suspended magnetic pickup closer to the strings than ever before, making unwanted feedback a thing of the past. Best of all it still sounds like a Banjo! Please use drop down box to chose jack mounting type and see technical details below. Note Railrider fitted on website image is a single co-ordinator rod Deering Goodtime, also suitable for twin co-ordinating rod banjos. Openback banjo with wooden dowel stick and socket shows velcro mount with a standard Kavanjo. In the words of one of satisfied customers whos fitted one to his banjo...'It's discreet and works a treat! ** Note this pickup works for 4 or 5 string banjos**Debuted. PLEASE NOTE: The Kavanjo Railrider can be ordered with the following Jack socket input types:- · Flange Mounted · Velcro mounted - A second choice for open back banjos other than the flange head mount PLEASE USE THE DROP DOWN BOX FOR YOUR CHOICE OF THE ABOVE OPTIONS · The Kavanjo head is supplied with full fitting instructions. · it has a 6mm jack input socket · There is also an earthing wire (That can be seen in the photograph of the flange mount type) · Your banjo will retain its acoustic tone and volume when played 'unplugged' · When 'Plugged in' you will have the power to compete with bass and drums! A Kavanjo pickup head was used by Winston Marshall from Mumford and Sons. Winston played live gigs worldwide to audiences in excess of 25,000! with his world acclaimed folk rock band Mumford & Sons. Kavanjo Banjo Pickup System: Advice and Tips by John Kavanaugh By: John Kavanaugh Magnetic pickups are nothing new to the millions of guitarists in the world. Their dependability and versatility is undisputed. Finally – this style of pickup, with all its potential, has been applied to the acoustic banjo. The Kavanjo Pickup System is a magnetic pickup based on a humbucker style pickup. Just like guitarists, the Kavanjo helps the banjoist finally compete in live venues previously reserved for higher volume instruments. It does this while maintaining the banjo’s unique sound, giving banjo players the confidence to tackle outside venues and large concert halls with a tool that has been lacking for decades. It provides studio musicians an infinite number of sound possibilities and offers those of us that will never ‘play out’ hours of entertainment in the privacy of our own homes. I have compiled a handful of commonly asked questions to help with getting the most out of your Kavanjo Pickup System, as well as a few good user tips. Q. What is a magnetic pickup? A. The two basic components of this type of a pickup are the ‘coil’ and the ‘magnet’. The coil is a bobbin, wrapped thousands of times with a coated copper known as ‘magnetic copper wire’. This wire is just a little thicker than our hair and is wound on special machines to insure precise distribution of the wire throughout the bobbin. The magnets on the other hand, create an environment such that when the string is plucked, energy from the north and south poles of the magnetic field are disrupted. These waves are then “picked up” in the coil(s) which registers them as an electrical signal or current. This signal is sent down an instrument cable to the amplifier, guitar amp, mixing board, DI, or computer. Tip: When running into a computer, you will first be required to convert the signal from Analogue to Digital. Q. What strings are best to use? A. With this style of pickup, you will want to use Nickel (steel) strings. Nylon strings will not register a signal at all, for they lack any metal. Stainless steel strings lack enough iron in them to create a good disruption in the magnetic field. Q. Why use electric guitar strings on my 6 string banjo? A. Phosphor/bronze strings (commonly used on acoustic guitars) lack iron in their exterior, which is crucial for a hearty signal. Do to this; the magnetic pickup only registers the core of this type of string, and not the exterior winds. When using nickel guitar strings the entire string is ‘picked up’, giving you a strong and even sound throughout. Q. Is there an ideal gauge of string? A. String gauges can be as personal as what picks you prefer. Depending on the instrument’s scale, tightness of the head, bridge height, coordinator rod, and tension rod strength, the variables are plenty. I suggest trying lighter gauge strings on your instrument until you as a player start to demand more out of the string thickness. Arriving at the ideal string gauge for your playing style and instrument can take some time. Q. How tight can I make a banjo head that has a Kavanjo on it? A. The Mylar plastic that makes up the banjo head is so strong …
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