Lookin' fer a banjo

Subject: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: tarponman
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 01:56 PM

I'm looking to buy a new/used banjo. I've been playing an old Alvarez (chrome sound ring) for years. I want to buy nice one. So far I've looked at the Deering Maple Blossom. I'm looking in the $1000-$2500 range. I'm looking primarily at Gibson, Stelling, and Deering. I've been playing off and on for thiry years and consider myself an intermediate level player. Any feedback is appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: j0_77
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 02:07 PM

Probably not what you are looking for, I've a 192something Vega Tu Ba Phone all original. I would let it go as I am hoping to get a better Guitar. I play mostly clawhammer but can also make a serious melodic sound uppicking too. email is [e-mail]. BTW The original Scruggs sound was on a Gibson with hide top! I notice mine can sound very nice uppicked with that deliberate Scruggs bluegrass back roll. It grabs the ear.

Subject: RE: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: Mudjack
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:10 PM

tarponman,
Do yourself a favor and go out to music stores and find what feels good and sounds good before making your final decission. It is very tempting to jump on bargains in ads or sale items in music catalogs. Are you a Bluegrass picker? Do you need to have the resonator for expanded sounds?
I think it is a good move to reward yourself with a better banjo, thats incentive to go forward and advance yourself both playing and feeling better about playng. Keep up the good hunt.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: Paul S
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:46 PM

My first thought upon seeing the title of this thread was, "Why?"

Subject: RE: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:55 PM

tarponman, just to echo what Mudjack said, try a few and find something that your really like.

The sound, feel etc. of any instrument is a very personal matter (and I am a tenor player rather than a 5 string player) and you need to find something that YOU really like. All I can say is that you are considering purchasing from makers who have excellent reputations... Providing it sounds and feels right to you, I can't imagine you going wrong with any of those.

Jon

Subject: RE: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 04:07 PM

I work with a Deering, and I find it most satisfactory. I own a Gibson RB250 and a Vega open-back--all fine banjos, but I believe that the Deering has the edge. More importantly, Greg and Janet Deering are good folks to work with when you have questions or need repairs. I think that the Maple Blossom is a top-notch banjo.

Subject: RE: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 07:46 AM

Instuments are so much a matter of personal taste that it's hard to give specific advice. I hope you will go to a music shop (are you somewhere in FL as one might infer from your nick?) and play all the old banjos and a few new ones until you find the one that won't let go. Match the instrument and the way it sounds to YOU. If you play mianly clawhammer, jo77's offer sounds very good to me! if you are a Scruggs'style then that Deering. . . that was a wonderful recommendation I read there! At that level of investment it might even be worth it to go to the factory shop! Good Luck PETE

Subject: RE: Lookin' fer a banjo
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 03:56 PM

Just leave your existing one on the back seat of your car and go away for a few hours. Can guarantee there'll be two there when you get back....

Just joking...as a former banjo player (now reformed) myself I echo the good advice given above.

mcmoo