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13 Nov 07 - 06:23 PM (#2193074) Subject: Realy naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome 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 |
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13 Nov 07 - 06:25 PM (#2193078) Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome 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! |
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13 Nov 07 - 06:30 PM (#2193083) Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question From: greg stephens When is the auction? |
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13 Nov 07 - 06:33 PM (#2193086) Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome Thursday |
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13 Nov 07 - 06:34 PM (#2193087) Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question From: peregrina 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? |
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13 Nov 07 - 06:34 PM (#2193088) Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome How are you. btw, Greg? Long time no see! D. |
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13 Nov 07 - 06:36 PM (#2193090) Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome 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 |
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13 Nov 07 - 06:45 PM (#2193105) Subject: RE: Realy naive banjo question From: Leadfingers 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 . |
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13 Nov 07 - 09:15 PM (#2193176) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Art Thieme 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 |
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13 Nov 07 - 10:09 PM (#2193198) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Amos 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 |
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14 Nov 07 - 02:53 AM (#2193268) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome 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:-) |
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14 Nov 07 - 03:29 AM (#2193280) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Les in Chorlton 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 ................... |
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14 Nov 07 - 04:12 AM (#2193295) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Banjiman 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 |
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14 Nov 07 - 05:45 AM (#2193345) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Dreadnought 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..! |
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14 Nov 07 - 05:55 AM (#2193349) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: GUEST,banjoman 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 |
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14 Nov 07 - 06:02 AM (#2193355) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Andrez Forty quid if the name is Vega :-) |
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14 Nov 07 - 06:42 AM (#2193378) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: theleveller "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!) |
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14 Nov 07 - 07:29 AM (#2193405) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: BanjoRay Your coat's already been picked up by the 240 mudcatters who've already made the same joke about the skip. Ray |
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14 Nov 07 - 09:59 AM (#2193495) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Arnie 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. |
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14 Nov 07 - 10:03 AM (#2193504) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Peace "I am surprised that this thread has provoked no real banjo jokes." There's nothing funny about banjos . . . . |
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14 Nov 07 - 10:21 AM (#2193520) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Newport Boy 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 |
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14 Nov 07 - 11:37 AM (#2193573) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: GUEST,Zeke Q-What do you say to a banjo player with a fine lookin' woman on his arm? A-Nice Tattoo! |
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14 Nov 07 - 02:38 PM (#2193733) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome 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 |
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15 Nov 07 - 02:26 PM (#2194611) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Banjiman Leveller, Zeke.....Yawn! |
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15 Nov 07 - 02:46 PM (#2194629) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Dave the Gnome 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 |
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15 Nov 07 - 03:20 PM (#2194658) Subject: RE: Really naive banjo question From: Banjiman ...and you missed the chance to join this exclusive club! Ask my Mrs...she's loves it!! |