Really naive banjo question

Subject: Realy naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:23 PM

Just back from the pub and noticed in the local aution rooms that they have a banjo - Long(ish) neck, 4 strings and that odd 5th string half way down that I don't understand. Now, the auction tend to sell things quite cheap. Question is...

Should I put a bid in? I don't play but I could be convinced. Someone else may want it? Main thing is, due to other commitments, I would not be at the auction and would have to put a maximum bid in, in advance. Knowing nowt about said frying pan should I bid £30? £50? Nothing at all?

Any input greatly appreciated as I would have to make my bin either tomorrow or Thursday.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:25 PM

PS - If it is realy crap I would probably be happy to pay £30 just to have one hanging on the wall! £50 would be pushing it. If anyone says that any banjo is worth more than that I would take it under advisement!

Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question
From: greg stephens
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:30 PM

When is the auction?

Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:33 PM

Thursday

Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question
From: peregrina
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:34 PM

A long time ago when I knew much less about bicycles than you probably do about banjos, I tried to get one as a bargain at a police auction...I got it. I wondered why I couldn't ride it home... The repairs meant it wasn't a bargain, but I enjoyed that bike for a good few years. Does this banjo look special enough so you'll want it on the wall for character? You can probably get one without character cheaper on e-bay?

Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:34 PM

How are you. btw, Greg? Long time no see!

D.

Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:36 PM

Dunno peregrina I don't know what a banjo should look like unless someone is sitting out on a porch pickin' and a grinnin'...

:D

Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:45 PM

Dave - How long is a piece of string ?
IF the neck is straight , NO curve up or down , it can be rendered playable fairly easily ! Especially if ALL the Head adjusters are there ! I would imagine that you are not the only person to see it , and IF its any good it will go for a decent price . If you have a few quid , and it looks OK , try a bid ! And Good Luck .

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 09:15 PM

Dave,
That string sticking out half way up the neck is the 5th string -- and that is a five string banjo. It pretty much goes back to the times in the early 1800s when banjos were generally home made and were strung with possum guts. One possum was good for about four and a half strings, so that fifth one only went half way up (or down) the neck!!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Amos
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 10:09 PM

Dang, Art!! I shoulda asked you that question twenty years ago. It's one of those things you never realize you wondered about until someone comes up with the answer to the question you never knew you had!! :D Thanks!


A

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 02:53 AM

If I can get an hour or two off today I may get chance to take a proper look. The auction is open for viewings on Weds. I'll keep you posted:-)

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 03:29 AM

Buy it Dave, it's a bet bet than the lottery.

I am surprised that this thread has provoked no real banjo jokes.

Stands back ...................

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Banjiman
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 04:12 AM

Dave,

Any name on it? Does it have a resonator or is it open back? How many brackets around the rim? ....lots of other questions I could give you if you're interested


....and Les, we've all heard the jokes before, thank you.

Paul

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Dreadnought
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 05:45 AM

What would worry me would be that if its a lemon you won't be able to tell and the experience of playing such an instrument could put you off learning it.

If you want to learn the banjo you'd do better to save up for an entry level model (they aren't that expensive) or hold on until you find a cheap one you know is in decent nick.

Having said that if the one you've spotted has "White Laydie" written anywhere on it you might want to punt thirty quid at it..!

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 05:55 AM

Have you had a chance to play it - if it sounds OK it probably is - check the height of the strings above the fretboard - mostcheap banjos have the action set so high that there is no chance of any buzzing but can often be reset to make a platyable instrument.
I think you should probably steer clear of this one & look for a banjo you can try for its tone and playability. If you play guitar or any other string instrument you should be able to judge the feel of a banjo.
Good luck & if all else fails, why not have a go at building one - I did many years ago and now make them to order for friends etc

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Andrez
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 06:02 AM

Forty quid if the name is Vega :-)

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: theleveller
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 06:42 AM

"I am surprised that this thread has provoked no real banjo jokes."

Ralph McTell made a few at his concert in Pocklington last night. Most I've heard before but here's a couple of new ones:

Q. How do you make a banjo player's eyes sparkle?

A. Shine a torch in his ear.


Banjo players spend half their time trying to tune the instrument and the other half playing out of tune.

Q, What's the definition of perfect pitch?

A. Throwing a banjo in a skip without touching the sides.

(I'll get me coat!)

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: BanjoRay
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 07:29 AM

Your coat's already been picked up by the 240 mudcatters who've already made the same joke about the skip.
Ray

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Arnie
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 09:59 AM

Dave,

Have a look along the banjo's neck and make sure there is no warp. I sold a 5-string Wilson banjo recently for £100 but it was in good condition - I realised that I was never going to sound like Earl Scruggs! £30 would seem reasonable if it looks in good nick.

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Peace
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 10:03 AM

"I am surprised that this thread has provoked no real banjo jokes."

There's nothing funny about banjos . . . .

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Newport Boy
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 10:21 AM

I'll bet the old guy who dreamed up Art's possum story is still laughing (up there) at the gullibility of folks.

I bought a 'no-name' banjo in similar circumstances a few years ago from an antique market stall. I'd often fancied trying a 5-string, and this looked OK. It was obviously not an antique, looking fairly unused. It had a decent Remo head and there was nothing wrong with the rest of what I could see. I spent some time setting the bridge and tuning it (strings were fairly OK as well) and it sounded perfectly good to me.

After I got it home, my banjo-playing friends said it was perfectly good. The only fault, when I removed the soundboard, was that the inside of the head had a lot of 'holidays' in the casting, so presumably it was a factory reject. Sounds OK though.

I paid £50 (asking price £65) and I'm still well pleased with it. Still can't play it though, but I'm happy to amuse myself with it.

Phil

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: GUEST,Zeke
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 11:37 AM

Q-What do you say to a banjo player with a fine lookin' woman on his arm?

A-Nice Tattoo!

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 02:38 PM

Didn't manage to get off work so still not had chance to see it. Not much chance of getting in at the bidding but if I get chance I may ring. Seeing as I can happily spend more on a night out £30 would be well spent even if it only I used it to fry chips...

:D

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 02:26 PM

Leveller, Zeke.....Yawn!

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 02:46 PM

Ah well. Oracle RAC got the better of me in the end and I was to busy to even ring the auction:-( I suppose Orable does have it's uses - at least the Mrs will be saved from countless hours of inept plinking!

Thanks for all the advice anyway.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 03:20 PM

...and you missed the chance to join this exclusive club!

Ask my Mrs...she's loves it!!