For at least several years, I have kept hitting the head with my thumb pick when I play the fifth string. I think I have finally found a couple things that really help.
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Playing closer to the bridge. The strings are further from the head here so you have more clearance here.
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Raising the armrest higher off the banjo head. This was a super simple adjustment on my Deering Sierra, but it seems to have made a huge difference. It forces me to flex my wrist just a little bit more, and this changes the angle of my hand, keeping my thumb a little further from the head.
I’ve gotten a lot of great tips from this forum, so I thought I would share this in case someone is in the same boat.