BRuce Hornsby and the Noise Makers & Flecktones

Bela's Banjos

Bela Fleck Bela's Banjos

Béla's main instrument is his pre-war Gibson Banjo. It has the original metal ring and wood back. The neck is a custom arched neck made by John Monteleone. The banjo is amplified with a combination of a Jones Pick-up and a Shure SM-98 microphone. He uses a custom internal pre-amp to boost the low level from the Jones pick-up. This takes place before connecting with the SM-98, cutting down on the crosstalk created by combining the mic and pick-up in the same cable.

Béla's electric banjo is a Deering Crossfire. He has modified it by changing toEMG pick-ups and pre-amp. It is currently outfitted with a Yamaha midi pick-up. This pick-up is connected to a Roland XV-2020. Béla uses a variety of units for the electric sounds.

He uses a Shure U4D wireless unit. From the wireless the signal goes to a t c electronics G-System. There is a Hafler tube preamp inserted in line to give the electric some 'breath' and 'dirt.'

Béla also uses a Nechville banjo for special tunings, a fretless banjo, and a 1960's Rickenbaker electric banjo.