banjo buyers beware

Subject: banjo buyers beware
From: Chet W.
Date: 15 Aug 99 - 03:50 PM

This is probably something that everybody already knew except me, but I noticed it among the instrument vendors, one in particular, at a recent festival. I saw numerous banjos for sale which, by their necks would seem to be one thing, but when you looked in the back at their tone rings they were something else again. For example, there might be a Vega Whyte Laydie neck, with the name stamped on the dowel, but on a body without the desirable Whyte Laydie tone ring, which is what makes it valuable enough to merit the price tag. There are a lot of nice tenor necks around because so many have been removed to be replaced by 5-string necks. So be especially careful when buying a banjo unseen, as in through a net auction. Unfortunately, the sellers often seem not to know what you mean if you ask a question like this.

In all seriousness, Chet

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Aug 99 - 04:21 PM

Chet, my experience has been that the sellers know EXACTLY what you mean. They're the ones who put the high prices on. Sadly, I used to think that "folk folk" would never cheat you. T'aint true. Caveat emptor.
Rick

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: Chet W.
Date: 16 Aug 99 - 07:26 AM

I guess the bigger lesson is, Don't spend a lot of money on an instrument, period, unless you really know what you're getting. That may require hunting down a knowledgeable friend to go with you, but there's a lot of even small details that make some very similar-looking instruments more valuable than others. On instruments with any removable parts (on banjos you can remove everything), the original bridge, tuners, tailpiece, and pickguard on a late teens Gibson mandolin may not seem like such a big deal, but they add considerably to what you should be expected to pay for it. I've seen those pickguards offered for sale for nearly $200, so I'd add or subtract that from the value. Learn how to judge the finish (a lot of dealers think everything is in mint condition). Look at the listings online from places like gruhn.com, elderly.com, mandoweb.com, and see what instruments similar to what you seek are going for. Like Rick says, it's a shame when "folk folk" are willing to cheat you, but a lot of them do it all the time.

Chet

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 16 Aug 99 - 09:04 AM

On the other hand, there are some heartwarmingly honest folk about. I heard the other day of a bargain of a violin which had a beautiful sound but was at a low price because it had been repaired with the wrong glue and hence would be less valuable should the buyer wish to sell it on to a dealer! So this guy was pointing out and compensating for a fault which he could well have kept quiet about.

Kris

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Aug 99 - 09:42 AM

My caveat's been emptied quite a few times.

Spaw

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 16 Aug 99 - 12:12 PM

Empty Caveats in the old corral.
I went to a dealer a few weeks ago and a beautiful old RB 250 was for sale at a pretty astonishing price. I'm fairly good at detecting forgeries, and figured out what parts were not original (and hence the low price). The owner of the store walked by and said "we're STAMPING "this is not an original Gibson" on the inside of the resonator". That's an ethical store! It's the "12th Fret" in Toronto.

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: Chet W.
Date: 16 Aug 99 - 12:13 PM

Of course I should have said that most dealers I've run across at festivals have been fine folks that were very honest and open about repairs, non-original parts, etc. It's just that this one guy at Clifftop last week kind of got to me. Other than trying to shoo people away from his booth, what could I have done? So I'm just trying to warn my Mudcat friends about this practice, which, as old instrument prices continue to rise, seems to be increasing. There are other things to know about buying and selling instruments that I might divulge if anyone's interested. But generally, if you're going to spend large money (which to me is anything over a couple of hundred dollars), educate yourself first.

Chet

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Aug 99 - 07:29 PM

Well the banjer I bought some time ago is a Top-of-the-Line model. Name on the head sez, 'KINGSTON' and I know it's top line cause the feller done tol' me so! He give me the three strings what come with it free o' charge! I think he was a little overpriced but I kinda liked the banjer and the feller let me talk him down in price. I play it about every day and it was worth every bit of the $60 I give 'im!

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: j0_77
Date: 16 Aug 99 - 10:46 PM

I have a Vega Tubaphone matching neck and ring numbers - 1900 - it plays and sounds great - but lost interest in playing clawhammer etc., any one needs just email me - will ship etc - Would swap for Jeffries Concertina (Anglo German) or a Galagher or Martin Guitar. email
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: O'Boyle
Date: 17 Aug 99 - 12:56 AM

Any good sources for tenor necks, I got a good deal on a 5 string that i rarely play, but I would much more apt to play a tenor....I think.

Rick

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: bill\sables
Date: 17 Aug 99 - 05:36 PM

O'Boyle I suggest you try Stan Gee for tenor banjo necks email him at [e-mail] He is a very genuine bloke and I have always found him honest in his dealings Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: Chet W.
Date: 17 Aug 99 - 05:40 PM

Check out E-bay for tenor necks. Just put "tenor banjo" in the search filter, and usually you will find several necks to bid on. Some go for a song.

Chet

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 17 Aug 99 - 07:47 PM

Another possibility for tenor necks: Wyatt Fawley makes five string necks and replaces tenor necks with them: he might be a good source (of course, he'd make you a tenor neck for a very reasonable price). I don't remember his URL but it's available from Michael Holmes at www.mugwumps.com--from whom I bought a banjo with a neck by Fawley).

And jO, I have a Martin guitar I'd be glad to trade for your Vega, but you'd probably want another thousand bucks or so on top of that (mine is a 2 year old D-1). But my Wildwood Minstrel TuBaPhone is sulking in the livingroom, so I'd better stop thinking about it (she hates my drool falling on her face). --seed

Subject: RE: banjo buyers beware
From: Rex
Date: 19 Aug 99 - 08:23 AM

A note for Rick. I have a tenor neck off a Vega banjo. It is one of their mid range banjos. It has Vega inlaid across the peghead and a bit of inlay around it.

Rex