Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out

Subject: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: JedMarum
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 08:59 PM

I am dying to know what this thing sounds like??

Anyone near by? And can stop in some day and let us all know??

What an odd idea - but it miught be cool; a banjo on a bouzouki body!!

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Sleepless Dad
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 10:27 PM

A banzouki ? Or a bouzjo ?

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Dave Swan
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 10:41 PM

Jed, you've done a baaaad thing. You've given Mick an excuse to head over to Elderly. The last time I asked him to check out an instrument for me, he returned home with three CD's and a fist full of sheet music. When Mrs. Lane laid him upside the head with a frying pan for spending the rent money on music, he whimpered that I'm the one who made him do it! I'm still afraid to get too near Wayland. Now, as close as you guys are, I'd think that you would be aware of the dangers involved, to both you and Mickus Maximus. Keep yer head down pal.

D

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Big Mick
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 12:15 AM

Someone asked about this before. I went and gave it a spin. It is OK, nothing more. Doesn't have the punch of a banjo or the bite of a bouzouki. It is interesting to look at and sounds OK.

Marum.....Swanno.....two of my best buddies.....how could you do this shit to me.......Captain MaryLou was trying to start the chainsaw the other day and muttering something about "makin' firewood outta this shit". I grabbed the my beloved Guild, the 'zouk, and the Larrivee and headed for the hill. All this because she read that Marum wanted me to go to Elderly and Swanno was encouraging it. Shit.

Mick

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: GUEST,John Hardly
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 02:40 AM

wonderful sounding instrument. Seriously.

A friend of mine -- banjo player I regularly play with -- bought one and we sat in his quiet home and played it for quite a while. I see it as a wonderful vocal accompaniment. My friends all play clawhammer style and it was a wonderful sound.

It is quiet. If you play with a well controlled group, solo, or mic-ed you'd be just fine, but it isn't a loud instrument -- by contrast, another friend recently acquired a Buchanan short scale octave mandolin. The octave mandolin doesn't have that biting high register of its smaller cousin, but is still loud enough for me to play in our large group -- and still be heard. I'm not sure this banjo-based thing would do as well.

In short (yeah, when have I ever been?) it's a GREAT instrument -- a unique voice, and my guess is that anyone who is musical would have trouble putting it down.

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 04:23 AM

I have a cheaper version without all the pretty and the Gold Plate that I got at Sidmouth last year fot three hundred pounds with hard case.The Martin is sulking,so is the five string banjo 'cos its the only instrument I take out now.I have mine tuned to open G and play it 'English 'style and just love it.

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: clansfolk
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 05:46 AM

This instrument is actually badged for Goldtone (or at least the basic Model is) and also for Ozark (which was chesaper at the time I bought mine)

I also have a hand built "Banjola" from the 60's which is somewhat larger (the Goldone/ozark's are very shallow) and projects a lot better. A great instrument to play and come across as a more refined brother of the banjo, with a touch of dulcimer - an instrument in its own right.

In the UK Andy Perkins sells the Ozark version.

Anyone at Fylde FF - I will most likely have mine along with me - so contact me if you want to have a look - TIGB - Back to Roots

Pete

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 12:43 PM

I was away from home and suffering brain death and could NOT remember the name.Mime is alos Ozark badged and available from Music Room.

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Big Mick
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 02:20 PM

I guess I am outnumbered here, but I just didn't find it all that great, just OK. Nothing unique about it other than its looks. Interesting? Sure. Enough to make me shell out the bucks? Nope. And I am known for buying things.....just ask the formidable MaryLou.

Glad you liked it, John. It just didn't do anything for me, visually or soundwise.

Mick

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: clansfolk
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 02:57 PM

Well hello Mary Lou!

Mick - hey we're all different - I just like the change from the banjo sound I normally have on stage etc... (But using an electric banjo though multi-effects is a little "Off Course" anyhow!)

I think it has its place all the same - but my usual remark - "try it before you buy it"

cu - Pete

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Art Thieme
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 06:58 PM

In the 1980s banjo player Alan Shelton (With Jim & Jesse) played a Dobro version of this. A resophonic pot bith a 5-string banjo neck.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 07:17 PM

Back in the 50's we used to call these "citterns"

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: DonMeixner
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 12:22 AM

Hey,

What constitutes English Style on the banjo?

Don

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 03:13 AM

Don,I dreaded someone asking me this! I as at a festival and some guy said'Is that a Banjos? and asked me what style I played.I said I was self taught and didnt know,so he said 'show' nd then told me I was   playing English Style.Its a sort of melodic pic round the melodu line of the tune.

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 11:25 AM

I made a PANJO out of a bedpan----with a fretless 5-string banjo neck. Around here, in Central Illinois--USA, nobody ever appreciated it ---but that's their problem, and generally, a reflection of their I.Q. and sophistication level. I gave it to Cathy Fink a few years ago and it was finally with an owner whose friends and fans could accept, understand and fully comprhend the fascinating possibilities encased therein. When Cathy had some surgery she took it to the hospital with her where, of course, it was even more fully appreciated. And, will wonders never cease, it was a quiet banjo !!! Perfect for hospitals where it's lower acoustic component is a much used and valuable item of everyday operations. (No pun intended, of course.)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: nickp
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 11:44 AM

In the UK are also available from Hobgoblin for about £350. They sound rather dulcimer-ish so if you can play 5string banjo and fancy something different...

Hobgoblin

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: GUEST,John Hardly
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 01:43 PM

Art,
that's VERY funny. Somewhere in the archives Rick Fielding asked about instruments that any of us might have invented -- that'n should be mentioned there.

Did it have a sorta tinkling tone?
Lousy for "da blues", but it'd save you from the "yellows"?
Kinda pisses me off that I didn't think of it first.

Mick,
I think it may have helped that I first heard the thing in a house -- not a crowded guitar store. Next time I'm up there I'll give you a call. I've been jonesin' for a new mando and you could be an extra set of discrimitatin' ears when I finally got the do-re-mi to pay for one!

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 05:48 PM

There is a TACKY TREASURES site somewhere on the web where you can see a picture of my panjo. I was honored at that site as having constructed the TACKIEST trasure of 'em all.

Yes, I am proud !

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 12:06 PM

Actually I have one, ordered several months ago. (I run a home for unwed instruments, and this one fit right in). It has a "sweet" tone and sounds somewhat like a cross between a lap dulcimer, and an autoharp. It would have to be miked to compete with a banjo, but does real well against a hammered dulcimer or another mandolin. I use it primarily in reels, and it usually sets the rythmn. I use heavier strings than those that came with it, (wrapped tenor banjo banjo strings for the bass D and G, and banjo mediums for the others, since the neck is fairly short. If you are going to the Getaway, let me know and I will bring it.

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 06:54 AM

I need a tuner for a 1980 gold ode 6500 pleas post any info. you may have Thanks Deano

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Midchuck
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:10 AM

If I lived within a couple hours' drive of Elderly Instruments, I would be a hopeless bankrupt with a house so full of instruments that I'd have to sleep - and pee - outdoors.

And Michigan has enough hopeless bankrupts already.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:43 AM

GUEST Deano - You might get a better response if you started a new thread ! With a bit more Information !

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: deadfrett
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 09:02 PM

The great "Buck" Trent plays a banjo with a wood head on it. It is rigged with electronics and he gets great sustain and other effects with it. He has used this rig for quite a number of years now since playing with the Porter Wagoner Show. He's been here in Branson for several years with his own breakfast and variety show. Dave

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 10:36 PM

Jed-

There's no substitute for parachuting into Lansing, Michigan, and trying out the instrument in question yourself.

However, I would second Big Mick's assessment, pretty to look at but not much to play with.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 06:58 AM

I waved mine at Pete Coe , who as some of you may know is NOT the worlds worst Banjoist - His response was "No use to me as they dont work for Frailing"
Thjey work fine for MY pickng though and are NOT as abrasive as a straight banjo for a gentle song !

Subject: RE: Near to Elderly Music ? Try This One Out
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 07:09 AM

You waved your WHAT, at Pete Coe?