Advanced Musical Saw Tips and Tricks

There are many helpful sites and videos online that can teach you how to play the saw, so I won't provide redundant beginner information here. I will however try to pass on a few tricks and ideas I have picked up in the last few years. I am no saw expert. I'm not even very good at saw, but I like playing it and am always seeking to improve.

Firstly, I own and play "musical" saws and regular hardware store saws. Frankly, the difference is negligible, especially if you are just starting out. I would only recommend spending significant money for a dedicated player or if you want a larger tonal range from a bigger saw. 

I learned a helpful trick at the first Chicago jug band battle not long ago: Beveling/filing the edge of your saw can make playing much easier. By this I mean, making the playing edge round, as opposed to square. This can be done if you have a metal file and take a little time rounding it. This tip also inspired my own practice of sanding the playing edge occasionally with a fine grit sandpaper. This seems to remove excess rosin, round the edge a tiny bit and clean away any tarnishing. Since I've been rounding and sanding, I have found playing to be much easier and smoother than before.

When attempting to perform saw live, there are a few variables worth considering: The acoustics of the room, size of the crowd, the available microphones and if there is a place/chance to sit down. If it is a smallish room with a smallish audience, I don't even attempt to mic the saw. Besides the "baritone" saw, it'll usually cut through without any sort of amplification. If you are in a large place, with a large crowd, do you best to point a mic at the saw, but I wouldn't expect great results. I have played saw a few times without a chair standing, but it can be rough and even a little dangerous. Plan on having a seat to perform. 

A friend of mine made a simple contact microphone for his saw. This does seem to work, but will pick up the slightest scratches and can sound pretty harsh through a PA. I can only recommend it for a confident player. A contact microphone is a simple and cheap device made using a small computer speaker. You can make a complete pickup for under $5 and the parts are all available at a place like Radio Shack. This could be a useful/cheap device to amplify a guitar, banjo or uke. 

Other musical saw ideas:

-Add more rosin than you'd think. 

-Use a thicker bow if you can (cello bow). 

-Don't overdo the vibrato.

-Bow the saw to create a sound and THEN alter the pitch.

-Don't ruin your pants with the sharp edge... or cut yourself. Duh.

-Don't be so drunk that you play it backwards and shred your bowstrings.

I am always excited to hear new ideas about playing the saw. Feel free to contribute other tips and tricks.

My Jug Band Arsenal

One of the best/worst things about being in a jug band is all the wacky instruments you will acquire (often cheaply). This post is about my own collection of instruments I use (many more often than others) in a jug band setting. 

My only main requirement for an instrument's inclusion in a jug band is that it is fully acoustic. It really bugs me when people use electric guitars in jug bands. The original jug bands played in the streets, as well as clubs. A modern jug band should be able to play sans electricity if needed.

Jug band instruments are often cheap and/or homemade. This is a great part of the DIY ethic that really draws me to jug band music. It also allows people who are new to music to participate cheaply and easily. 

That being said, some people think a jug band instrument can ONLY be cheap and/or easy to play, but I don't prescribe to such notions. I do however tend to only spend significant amounts of money on jug band stuff with money I obtain gambling or making the purchase while I am drunk (vices are VERY jug band). Also, being "easy" to play often equates to "lazy" and that can be good, but should not be rewarded or required. 

I grew up believing in the punk rock spirit of anti-consumerism and that fancy equipment doesn't matter. I played $10 guitars and used amps that sounded like they were underwater and made of cardboard, but eventually my ears grew up and tone mattered. I felt the same sense of evolution in my jug band career. If you play enough and long enough, tone and playability become something you cannot ignore. Thus, that is how I justify a $350 ukulele for a genre that prides itself on being economically non-demanding. 

Still, I my most played jug band instrument live is a $30 baritone uke. It's case cost twice as much as it did, but I was sick of my ukes getting smashed on the road.

Above is my personal jug band equipment. I will give a short description on the above (from left to right) but it should NOT serve as a full review of the instrument.

1. Horn - A bulb horn, minus the bulb. It gives a good HONK! if you blow on it.

2. Goldtone BC-350 - See previous post for full review. (I'm more into tenor/plectrum banjos in jug bands)

3. Kazoo-horn - It sounds way more old-timey than the plastic type. But, it's less articulate and loud.

4. Acme Slide Whistle - Got this for X-mas. It's a more full tone than the cheap plastic ones, but I still prefer the plastic ones live. 

5. Goldtone Banjolele Deluxe - This thing is beautiful. It's almost TOO resonant, British and beautiful to use in a jug band.

6. Guitar - I don't know who made this or when. It looks very jug bandy with the f-holes, but the action isn't great since it's so old and I assume cheap/never setup. 

7. Jug - The heart of the jug band. I like this classic size and look, but frankly a slightly larger one would be more usefully bassy. 

8. Kay Banjo/Uke - The head got broke during a show. I added Grover tuners and made a new nut. It sounds more "chunky" and coppery than the expensive Goldtone. It was like $20, and cost less than $20 to upgrade. That's jug band.

9. Baritone Ukulele - I use this more than anything else in my jug band. But, I shouldn't because it's super mellow and doesn't cut through very well. 

10. Washboard - This is a smaller washboard that I added a bunch of stuff to.

11. Washboard - This is the larger washboard for some serious soloing. 

12. Russian Phonofiddle AKA Strohviol - These were invented to record on wax by directing the sound. It sounds pretty great, very tinny. It really sounds like you are hearing a violin on a Victrola. But, it is poorly made and I am often worried about it falling apart. Plus, there is no logical case or way to transport it. It would die on tour.

13. C. Blackrock Baritone Saw - I was going to use this all the time, but it doesn't cut through much live. It's beautiful on recordings. I can "abbreviate" it to make it "soprano" and easier to use.

14. Grandpa's Saw - I prefer this size of saw. I use this one just because grandpa gave it to me and it's old and has a fancy handle. 

15. Saw - This is just a common hardware store saw. It was like five bucks and I use it more than my expensive "musical" saw.

(not pictured)

16. Washtub - I leave this out-of-doored, even in the winter. It's too cold/frozen to bring inside currently. In our band, our washtub player uses the tension, rather than "fretting" mainly. We also have a carefully guarded secret material for the string.

17. Cheap Kazoos - We use cheap (-$1) kazoos that are plastic. I hate to admit it, but they are louder and more clear than any old one I have found.

18. Cheap Slide Whistle - I use some cheap slide whistles. I wish slide whistles didn't have anything to do with jug bands, but it works. I blame Hoosier Hot Shots... I blame them for alot of things...

19. Cheap Mouth Harp AKA Jew's Harp AKA Ozarka Mountain Harp - I wish I could use these more, as I am good with one, but they do NOT work live in my experience. They are super quiet and even a good soundman can't get them to be heard. I have seen large ones available but I'm not sure how this effects volume.

20. Harmonicas - We use harmonicas. Having many keys seems more vital than having an expensive one.

Gear Review: Goldtone BC-350

I have owned the Bob Carlin signature banjo for a little more than a year now. I was very impressed with this instrument. It's above average pot-size (12") and classic looks are what sold me on it, but it proved to be a great sounding five-string. 

Playability: A

It has a scooped neck, allowing frailers/clawhammerers to happily thumb away. It also has a slightly wider-than-average neck, allowing for easy fretting. 

Appearance: A-

While the Bob Carlin won't win any originality contests, it is an impressive looking instrument. It has the classic Vegaish star inlay and is otherwise simply and carefully designed. I personally love how classic, but high-quality it appears. It also is difficult to date, with the frosted head and faux-dowel inside, adding to it's allure. I've had many people comment on it's aesthetics. 

Tone: A

The tone of this banjo is unmatched for an openback under $1000. It simply can out-thump and out-shine any new banjo I have heard or played in this price range. It stands out in jams with it's deep bass, but it can also be very very bright. That being said, when I play with finger picks and try bluegrass style, it is obviously not a bluegrass banjo. 

Price: A

It costs around $700 new. I debated over this banjo and the Goodtime banjos. I have had experience with Goodtimes, and while they are absolutely great for their price, the extra $200ish was well worth it. The Goldtone sounds like a 1000 - 1500 dollar banjo. $700 includes a very nice hardshell case.

There is a newer model that has some upgrades, and is fancier looking. I have never played this upgraded version.

 The 350 also has a back/resonator available for $200ish. I have never heard the 350 with it's "back" on, but Goldtone is adamant that it isn't created to transform this openback/clawhammer banjo into a bluegrass/resonator banjo. Apparently it just adds a little more "hollowness". I am still considering purchasing it, but mainly just so I can have it in the even after they stop production of it. 

Set-up: C-

Okay, Goldtone claims they do setup in factory, and the online store I got it from says the same. So, considering it was "set-up" twice, I still had to adjust it alot. Shipping can foul up a banjo pretty quick though...

Overall: A

I generally would NEVER buy a "signature" instrument. And while I like Bob Carlin somewhat, his name in the banjo's title didn't make me more interested. That being said, after much searching, I am super happy with my purchase and doubt I will get another openback or replace this anytime soon. If you want to spend under $1000 and get a new banjo, I'd look into this banjo. 

Manufacture's Website: Goldtone.com

Seller's Website: AngiesBanjo.com

SRP: $1,079

What I paid: $750

 

Welcome!

This blog was created in effort to increase the amount of useful information and ideas about jug bands on the internet. I have been in an Iowan jug band, Escape the Floodwater, for several years now and have played shows with and seen a great deal of modern jug bands. I hope the information provided is useful to enthusiasts and musicians alike. I also believe the internet is a natural part of the original DIY spirit of jug banding.

I hope to transfer this information into a zine/periodical eventually, once there is enough content to do so. If anyone would like to contribute, I would be happy to hear from you. I will also be back-editing posts, adding information and videos, so feel free to check out older posts. 

Disclaimer: Jug band music is wonderful because it is fun and accessible. BUT! I am jaded and overly critical of things I do and love. So, this blog may get "ranty" or even hypocritical. Even making a jug band blog is inherently not jug bandy. But, here we go!