Jens Kruger and Greg Deering have developed the new patent pending Deering Smile™ banjo bridge.
For years, banjo players have noticed that the top of their banjo bridges would “bow” in the middle over time. Jens Kruger and Greg Deering have developed the new patent pending Deering Smile™ banjo bridge that is designed to overcome this phenomenon and improve the overall tone of the banjo as well. Retailing for $45, the bridge is available as a flat, 5⁄8” style at this time and can be ordered factory direct or through authorized Deering dealers.
On a traditional banjo bridge, string pressure on the bridge creates a naturally curved indentation in the head which in turn compresses the bridge into a curve, creating a stress within the feet and subsequently inhibiting the tone. Additionally, the center foot of the bridge over time is not able to make a solid connection to the head and essentially creates an air gap between the bottom of the foot and the head.
Deering’s new patented Smile™ Bridge is formed with a smile on the bottom of the bridge that fits into the naturally curved indentation created on the banjo head under string tension. This relieves the stress found in a traditional bridge, allowing the Smile™ Bridge to vibrate freely and set the natural banjo tone free. The result is instantly fuller and more expressive midrange, less constricted low end frequencies, a nd a wonderful balance across all strings.
The bridge will be initially launched as the flat 5⁄8” style. Other heights and styles will follow close behind. This exciting advancement in banjo development is also the easiest change you can make to your banjo to instantly enhance the tone.
Deering Banjo Company was founded in 1975 as the world’s specialist in banjos and has grown to become the largest manufacturer of American made banjos in the world. Located in Spring Valley, CA, Deering produces all of its quality 4 string, 5 string, and 6 string banjos. Always on the cutting edge of banjo innovation, Deering is proud to have artists such as Mumford and Sons, Steve Martin, Taylor Swift, Bela Fleck, The Lumineers, Keith Urban, the Avett Brothers, Jens Kruger, Dropkick Murphys, and many more play their banjos.
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