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22 Aug 09 - 08:00 AM (#2706063) Subject: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Gurrier I know it was a 5 string tenor hollowback and it was perhaps made by a company by the name of Merlin (maybe). Could anybody shine a little bit of a guiding light on this as I'm in the market to get myself a good banjo to learn on and spend some decent money on it straight out the gates. I was thinking maybe even getting one of those heavier 'jos that resonate and make the sound louder. Might even get a pick-up put in the hollowback. I guess it just depends on what's around? Any good Irish banjo makers worth taking a look at? I was told hollowbacks were better for rhythm stuff but I guess it just comes down to personal preference |
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22 Aug 09 - 08:15 AM (#2706071) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Dave Hanson 5 string and tenor are two different banjos, Luke Kelly played a 5 string OPEN BACK Merlin. Good Irish makers are Tommy Cussens [ Clareen Banjos ] and Davy Boyle. Dave H |
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22 Aug 09 - 08:36 AM (#2706075) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: The Sandman Somebody told me that itwas abanjo with alonger neck and that it was tuned to an open e chord,of course this could be myth ,if Iwere you I would get a gold tone from Stephen Chambers. |
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22 Aug 09 - 08:36 AM (#2706076) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Gurrier Hence, wanting to learn. Are Merlin Banjos still made? |
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22 Aug 09 - 08:41 AM (#2706077) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Gurrier Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Good Soldier Schweik - PM Date: 22 Aug 09 - 08:36 AM Somebody told me that itwas abanjo with alonger neck and that it was tuned to an open e chord,of course this could be myth ,if Iwere you I would get a gold tone from Stephen Chambers. -------------------------------------------------------------------- That's funny. A concertina, I see what you did there. That was very clever |
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22 Aug 09 - 08:43 AM (#2706078) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Gurrier They're banjos too? I'm lost here |
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22 Aug 09 - 08:55 AM (#2706088) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: skarpi I wander , what happen to Lukes Banjo ? where is it now . kv Skarpi |
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22 Aug 09 - 09:00 AM (#2706090) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Gurrier Exactly what I was thinking...there's no information on the net I could find |
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22 Aug 09 - 09:13 AM (#2706096) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Gurrier Haha...oh dear Not so sure about this now... "In the mid-'60's there was a bit of a scandal with Luke Kelly, and Tommy Makem and a Merlin banjo. The company had given one to Tommy, then at the height of the Clancy Bros. mania in the US. He sort of mucked about on it, but didn't really like it, and so he gave it to Luke Kelley. A sort time later, Kelly was playing it on stage when the whole thing just exploded and went all to pieces with parts flying out into the audience." |
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22 Aug 09 - 02:01 PM (#2706241) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST,morrisbrendon Elderly had a Merlin Banjo, here; Merlin ...if you Google Merlin banjo you'll get lots of links. |
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22 Aug 09 - 02:09 PM (#2706252) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST,morrisbrendon ...here's another good link showing the insides...looks like it would be hard to turn those tuners if you had sweat (or beer) on your hands... inside a Merlin banjo |
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22 Aug 09 - 02:14 PM (#2706258) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: The Sandman I understand that Stephen Chambers has the franchise to sell GoldTone banjos in Ireland,what country are you in? Gold Tone banjos are [imo]good value. |
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23 Jun 10 - 07:03 PM (#2933593) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST,Mickbanjomac Luke Kellys' Merlin banjo is with one of his brothers. Paddy or Jimmy, I'm not sure and it's not for sale. Yes, it is a long neck banjo. The tuning is C tuning, on the third fert which is, D B G C G. I was taught to play the banjo on that very instument by the man himself. I'm wanting to get a Merlin for at least thirty years now, I think they have a great sound. Luke played both classical (for the slower stuff ) and clawhammer (for the lively ones) styles. He was great at playing tunes on the banjo, but he never played them on stage. He was good. |
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23 Jun 10 - 07:30 PM (#2933610) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: Leadfingers Put Merlin Banjo in the search box ! There is a wealth of info |
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02 Aug 12 - 01:59 PM (#3385183) Subject: RE: Folklore: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST, rugbyref My pal recently bought TWO Merlins at auction here in Scotland: a 22 fret and a 17 fret. Fantastic sound from them and both in really good condition! They apparently came to Scotland via Germany when the previous owner moved here in the 1970s. |
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03 Sep 20 - 07:49 PM (#4070670) Subject: RE: Instruments: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST Mickbanjomac that’s amazing re: Luke Kelly. That’s a strange tuning. Are you sure? Steve |
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03 Sep 20 - 08:25 PM (#4070674) Subject: RE: Instruments: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST Hello! Luke played a Vega at the end...tuning is at 3rd fret capoed--G-5th--C-G-B-D...Pete Seeger..Tommy Makem and Fergus O' Byrne all use this...sometimes bringing the C up to D...Tommy Makem did...so did Pete...seems Fergus stays in the same tuning..but don't quote me..all great players! |
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04 Sep 20 - 04:39 AM (#4070702) Subject: RE: Instruments: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST,Jerry Surely, you are all talking about the standard five string banjo tuning, but dropped down a bit to allow for the longer neck. The only confusion was listing them above in reverse order. The reason for the longer necks is because we can’t all comfortably sing songs in G major, which the five string is otherwise is great for. |
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13 Jan 21 - 11:44 AM (#4087766) Subject: RE: Instruments: Luke Kelly's Banjo? From: GUEST,Beachcomber Sounds, or READS, as though Mickbanjomac has the Tuning written upside down ?? |