If your truss rod is adjusted properly and you would still like to change the banjo's action, the next option is installing a different sized bridge. In general bridges can make the biggest difference in both the sound and playability of a banjo for the least amount of money. Let's take a look at bridges!

Bridges come in different sizes ranging from 5/8 to 3/4 inches. This gives us 1/8 inch to play with. In the past most bridges came in just two sizes, 1/2 and 5/8 inch. Most bluegrass players used the 5/8. If your banjo action is too high and you are using a 5/8 bridge, you should try to find a 1/2 inch one. You will not have many choices, but getting your banjo to play easily, especially if you are beginner, is the most important point. On the other hand, if the action is too low with a 5/8 bridge (you'll know this if it's buzzing on the frets), you have plenty of options for bridges higher than 5/8. Sizes tend to run between 5/8" and 3/4".

Some people just pick harder than others so they prefer to have higher action to prevent buzzing not caused by neck problems. A higher bridge will also tend to be make the banjo louder. These are both reasons why you might want to use a higher bridge. Another common variation is in string spacing. There are 2 options: the standard spacing and “Crowe” spacing which is a very small bit wider. It works for JD so it's worth a try especially if you have big fingers and have trouble getting your picks on the strings.

You may also want to change bridges even if you don't need change the bridge height. There are many different bridges on the market today using different woods and designs. Each bridge has its own properties, even compared to others from the same maker. They will vary in tone, volume, and responsiveness. The only way to find out what it best for you and your banjo is to try different ones and see what you like. Even the most expensive bridges are very cheap compared to the cost of the rest of your banjo and the changes a new one makes can be enormous.

Most banjo bridges currently on the market fit into a few basic categories in terms of design, materials, and the type of tone they produce. None is really better than another, just different. It's a good idea to think about what characteristics of your particular banjo you would like to improve. Here are a few examples:

1. The banjo is too loud or not loud enough.
2. The tone is too thin (bright) or too muddy (tubby sounding).
3. You have to pick really hard to get any sound or the strings seem really loose not matter how soft you pick.
4. Tone, volume, etc., aren't even from string to string.
5. The banjo can't be heard over other instruments (it doesn't cut).

There are probably some other problems I haven't included in this list, but these are the major areas that can often be improved by a new bridge. I'll try to explain the major types of bridges and how they relate to the list above. First let's look at traditional style bridges.

For many years (at least the years since I started playing in the early 60's) most bridges were made by Grover and used a small number of basic designs. The ones usually used for bluegrass were the basic 3 footed model still in use today. These were made using maple for the bottom and ebony along the top where the strings sit. They sat straight up perpendicular to the head of the banjo. Individual bridges might vary in thickness but most were pretty much the same.

Besides the standard model Grover there were bridges that were entirely made of maple or a few other woods and were narrower than the standard models. You can still find these on very cheap banjos with narrow necks. Another variation that can still be found uses individual pieces of bone or other similar material set in the top of the bridge under each string. Some people think these gave you a louder, crisper sound. In my experience they usually muffled the sound since the bone pieces were often badly fit into the ebony top of the bridge with visible gaps between the 2 materials. Some people still have good results with the standard Grover style bridge, especially is they want to reshape it by thinning the top or cutting away wood from legs and feet of the bridges. These bridges are cheap so they're great for experimenting.