trading in my banjo-suggestions

Subject: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: RangerSteve
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 08:57 PM

I'm unhappy with the Deering that I bought last year. The frets extend over the fingerboard, someone told me that the wood is probably shrinking, since I didn't have this problem when I bought it. It's also my first open back banjo, and the brackets bother me when I hold it in my lap. Finally, there's no tone ring, and although it sounds great, the neck is heavier than the body, making it hard to keep level when I play standing up.
   Anyway, the folks who sold it to me are willing to take is as a trade-in, but I can only afford something in the 700 to 800 dollar range.
   Does anyone have any opinions about GoldTone banjos? How about Baldwin - Ome? They've got a used one in the store. Thanks, Steve

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 09:28 PM

I have heard a lot of good things about Gold Tone. If you are playing Bluegrass you might want to consider the OB250+. It has a JLS #12 Tone Ring and a three ply Maple Rim.

Having said that, the Baldwin Ode is supposed to be a tremendous banjo. If I'm not mistaken Bobby Thompson played one up until he retired.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: TIA
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 10:56 PM

I've got a Goldtone that I'm extremely happy with (an IT-250 short scale - Irish - tenor), but my very favorite instrument is a five string, long neck, open back Wildwood Minstrel. Not much higher than your price range if you get some trade-in? Neck is a bit heavier than the pot, but a cleverly-placed strap helps.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 08:43 AM

What kind of music do you want to do with the banjo? A good arm rest and strap could help with minimizing pressure from the edge of rim, above and below.

It is arkward if the neck is heavier than the rim.

Charley Noble, who likes antique S.S. Stewart open back banjos.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 08:53 AM

First of all Deering has a lifetime guarantee on their banjos, so if you have frets sticking out, you would think that this would be able to be solved under warranty.
I have seen this on The Elderly site:
GOLD TONE WL250 (recent)
    EC+, dark-sstained maple neck and white-bound 9/16" rim, Whyte Laydie tone ring, white-bound 22-fret rosewood ..more...
    60U-1772 .. $550.00 buy

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: RangerSteve
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 09:04 AM

I play clawhammer banjo. My first banjo, that I had for 30 years was a resonator style, but it suffers from extreme old age and needs as much work as a new banjo would cost, so I went with the Deering (open back). I'm going back to a resonator. Another problem with open back banjos is that the sound changes depending on what it's bouncing off of; if I'm wearing a sweater, the sound is more muffled than if I'm wearing a t-shirt. I know that Deering will repair it for free, but that would leave me banjoless for a while, and I have a regular Saturday night gig. THanks for all your help. Steve

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GLoux
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 09:14 AM

I think the brackets bothering you is probably going to be a problem with any open back banjo while sitting. I have a Wildwood Troubador that I put a piece of 1/2 inch surgical tubing over the brackets that touch my legs when I play sitting down. I cut holes in the tubing with a razor knife spaced so the holes basically pop onto the brackets and stay there...much more comfortable.

-Greg

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 09:43 AM

Why not trade it in for a musical instrument.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: BanjoRay
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 10:40 AM

GUEST Hootenanny - why not trade yourself in for someone with a new funny joke about banjos.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 12:11 PM

You asked about Gold Tone Banjos. Well I've been playing an open back one that was made up from a kit for many years now & it still sounds pretty good. I use this when playing in the band using a Shadow Bridge/Pick up.
I recently bought a Gold Tone White Lady style banjo with a long neck for using in a singing duo. This also has a pick up built in. What an instrument - once I got used to the long neck.
Gold Tone make pretty good Banjos and I have no reservations in recomending them to anyone.
Good luck and keep on picking
PS I think Guest Hootenany must be a Melodeon Player

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,BIG ANDY
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 02:36 PM

i bought a good time banjo late last year and is,s spot on

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 02:39 PM

GLoux
...and to think I've been making red dimples in my thigh all these years when such a simple solution exists....

Thanks,

Tim

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,Chip A.
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 04:24 PM

Most clawhammerers prefer lighter, plunkier banjos but go with the sound you like. If you like the sound of the Baldwin and can get it in that price range, buy it! They're wonderful instruments and are steadily going up in value.

Chip

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: RangerSteve
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 08:19 PM

OK, the Baldwin was more than I wanted to spend, and it weighed a ton. I ended up with a Bart Reider. It's still an open back, but I don't care, it's a Bart Reider. After over 30 years of banjo playing, I finally own a real professional instrument (a Bart Reider). It's a really great banjo. Thanks, GL for the tip on surgical tubing. The new banjo (A Bart Reider) is kind of heavy, so I can see that the brackets may become a problem. Thanks, everyone for your help.


Oh, by the way, I bought a BART REIDER banjo.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 08:23 PM

That's Bart Reiter, not Reider, and he makes a fine instrument. Steve, if you want to try a Reiter, that's yhe one I carry around to hoots. Mine is a copy of a Bacon FF.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: RangerSteve
Date: 04 Mar 04 - 09:12 PM

OK, it's Reiter. I'm embarassed.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,Hootenany
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 04:47 AM

To Banjo Ray

Sorry, I didn't know there were any new funny banjo jokes. Thinking about it there aren't many old funny banjo jokes either.


Lighten up.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: kendall
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 06:27 AM

I've never met a Gold Tone that I didn't like, and, I've never met a Deering that I did like.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: RangerSteve
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 09:58 AM

The Deering was nice when I bought it, but it didn't hold up well. I took it back looking for a possible trade-in, and got credit for 425.00 compared with the 750.00 that I paid for it. He told me that he'd become disenchanted with Deering, and won't sell them anymore, claiming that they cost more than they're worth. My gripe with Gold Tone is that they aren't all that attractive. But they play really well. ANyway, I bought the Reiter, so I'm more than satisfied.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,Chip A
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 12:51 PM

I've had a Bart Reiter Internal resonator Bacon style for several years and it's a fine banjo. (Currently for sale in banjo-l classifieds) You can hear Laura Boosinger play hers at her website. You made a good choice.
Chip

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,Guy Wolff at the airport
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 01:20 PM

I never met a ramsey I didnt Love .With the neck being at an odd angle for you, have you tryed putting the shoulder strap to the tyteners passed the neck heel and attach the other end passed the tyteners at 5oclock.. THis makes for a way to hol;d the nesk up at any angle you like!. All the best , Guy Wolff ( In Singapor at 2 in the morning )Yay Free internet

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: ced2
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 03:06 PM

Are they worth something..? I've got one, never really got the hang of it so I thought I might sell it but was told that I would probably have to pay to have it taken away.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 05 Mar 04 - 05:42 PM

I have had a top of the line IIda for I believe 26-27 years.

Very crisp. A true Japenese Masterclone.

You see them on ebay periodically.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,USGuitarFixer
Date: 06 Mar 04 - 02:26 AM

Ocassionally there is a problem with the Gold Tones in the fit of the neck to the pot. We sometimes (not often) have to disassemble them and recut that joint for a tighter fit. That neck joint has a lot to do with producing tone and volume. If you get one that's okay, then you have no problem. If you get one from a dealer that works over the stuff they sell, no problem. If you get one out of the box and it isn't right, a good repair shop can fix it and set it up at the same time.
A Deering may not be for everyone, but it's hard to argue with the quality and workmanship. Somebody seems to be buying about 5,000 banjos a year from them. We've worked with them for over 20 years and have yet to see a problem. My banjo player has two different Goodtime models that he prefers to his older ('60s) Mastertone.

Fingerboard shrinkage is an indication of dangerously low humidity. The fret ends are easily doctored, but don't ignore your environmental issue. Other problems are likely. Spring is coming.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 06 Mar 04 - 09:53 PM

If you are serious about trading your banjo, I will trade my wife for it.
eric

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,wanting a long neck
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 06:14 PM

I have been playing an Arthur E. Smith for about 30 years now, but am interested in getting a long neck for purposes of singing with my guitar-playing wife. I like the idea of singing in the key of E and the other options that a long neck presents. I play a pretty simple 3-stroke frailing style, with little drop-thumbing and mostly to sing songs with my wife. I'd like some ideas on what to purchase for under $2000.00. I've mostly seen 1960's era Vega models running for around $3500.00 and up depending how close to Seeger's or Dave Guard's style---and I'm always looking in estate sales, etc. I'm not sure if Vega is more hype---kind of like CF Martin although I've played some nice Martins. I guess what I want is a good durable long-neck, with full tone that sounds well with my baritone voice along with my wife's low soprano and a 12-string. Am I barking up a wrong tree at $1700.00?






Dave Guard

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: GUEST,wanting a long neck
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 06:15 PM

by the way---I am not Dave Guard---the name at the bottom is a typo.

Subject: RE: trading in my banjo-suggestions
From: Escapee
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 12:41 AM

Allow me to mention my banjo one more time, then I'll give it a rest. It's a Vega Little Wonder pot with a Gold Tone neck, installed by Gold Tone. The banjo was a garage sale tenor and it might be worth it to find one and have it converted. I love mine and it cost about half what a similar new banjo would have. Good luck.
SKP