The distance from the 12th fret of the banjo to the bridge can be used to determine the correct placement of the banjo bridge. When the 12th fret is halfway between the nut and the bridge, the banjo bridge is in the proper position. The banjo bridge can be fine-tuned moving it slightly forward or back until the desired tone is achieved after it has been properly positioned. The position of the banjo is critical for proper tuning, intonation, and playability. The bridge is not held in place anything other than the tension of the banjo strings.
The strings must be loosened to allow the banjo bridge to be moved around on the face of the banjo in order to properly position it. After loosening the nut, use a measuring stick to determine the distance between the nut and the exact center of the 12th fret. The measurement should be written down or a pencil mark made on the stick in the exact spot. The stick can then be used to extend from the center of the 12th fret onto the banjo’s face, with a pencil line drawn on the face for reference.
After that, the banjo bridge can be placed on the banjo’s face at the pencil mark, and the strings can be tightened. To pitch in small intervals, it’s best to tighten the strings slowly. This prevents the strings from overstretching or unevenly applying pressure to the bridge or banjo face. The fine tuning of the banjo bridge can be completed once it has been tightened and tuned to the proper pitch. This is done individually plucking each string in the open position and then fretted at the 12th fret.
Compare the sound of a string plucked in the open position to the sound of the same string plucked at the 12th fret. The banjo bridge is too close to the nut and should be slid slightly to the rear if the fretted note is sharp or higher than the open note. If the fretted note, on the other hand, is flat or lower than the open note, the banjo bridge is too far from the nut and needs to be slid closer to the neck. If the banjo bridge needs to be moved, the changes should be minor, and the process of comparing open and fretted notes can be repeated until the notes are of the same pitch.