Banjo Anyone????????????????

richardp69 · Jan 5, 2021

I'm thinking of picking up a Banjo to try to learn a little bit. I want something decent but that won't break the bank. Also something that's thought of well enough that if I decide it's not for me will be something I can sell and that there may be a buyer for.

I'm thinking with pup but that wouldn't be a show stopper.

Any recommendations out there?????

walrus · Jan 5, 2021

Can I just answer your post with a "No"?

walrus

richardp69 · Jan 5, 2021

walrus said:
Can I just answer your post with a "No"?

walrus

Well, you just did so I guess the answer is yes.

FNG · Jan 5, 2021

I don't know anything about banjos, but if I was shopping for a solid entry level one, I would look at Goldtone.

Westerly Wood · Jan 5, 2021

the Folk Shop in tucson specializes in banjos. i would give them a call. https://www.thefolkshop.com/

Banjos For Sale

Banjos for Sale

www.thefolkshop.com

the guy who used to own it has quite the nest egg of super rare and expensive banjos, but the shop itself does still have its own banjo room.

cupric · Jan 5, 2021

I found a 1921 Gibson banjo in a antiques store years ago. Had it a few years, but never went anywhere with it. Another thing I should have kept!

fronobulax · Jan 5, 2021

None of the banjo players I know has an instrument with a pickup. If they need to be louder they use a microphone. Indeed, playing softly is a skill they worked to acquire.

The Guilds of Grot · Jan 5, 2021

I have one of these:

Kept it in the "Guild" family!

Really considered taking lessons this Winter before Covid hit.

richardp69 · Jan 5, 2021

The Guilds of Grot said:
I have one of these:

Kept it in the "Guild" family!

Really considered taking lessons this Winter before Covid hit.

What is that?? I can't make out the headstock.

The Guilds of Grot · Jan 5, 2021

richardp69 said:
What is that?? I can't make out the headstock.

Madeira

gjmalcyon · Jan 5, 2021

The Guilds of Grot said:
I have one of these:

Kept it in the "Guild" family!

Really considered taking lessons this Winter before Covid hit.

Here's one on the 'Verb that sold for $179.95:

Madeira B-10 5-String Banjo | Reverb

Madeira B-10 5-String Banjo. In good condition. Minor wear and corrosion (please see photos). Neck is straight, truss rod works, and it is set up excellently with low action. 5/8 size bridge. Perfect beginner to intermediate banjo. Plays and sounds great. Comes with soft shell case. If you have a...

reverb.com

Budha · Jan 5, 2021

richardp69 said:
I'm thinking of picking up a Banjo to try to learn a little bit. I want something decent but that won't break the bank. Also something that's thought of well enough that if I decide it's not for me will be something I can sell and that there may be a buyer for.

I'm thinking with pup but that wouldn't be a show stopper.

Any recommendations out there?????

Richard, I have been playing bluegrass banjo for about 15 years and have owned about ten of them. I would happy to offer suggestions based on my experience playing and buying/selling banjos. Do you want a resonator banjo or an open back?

Recommendations depend on what type of banjo you want and how much you are thinking of spending. Below $1K, I would recommend an old Gold Star or a used Deering Goodtime. The older Gold Stars were copies of Gibson Mastertones and are much better banjos than Gibson built in the 70's. I would not recommend a 70's Gibson. They lost their way in the 70's.

Above $1K there are many great banjo builders. I have owned Stellings, Gibsons, a Deering, and a Hopkins. I have sold two higher end banjos during the pandemic. The banjo market seems to be healthy.

Brad Little · Jan 5, 2021

FNG said:
I don't know anything about banjos, but if I was shopping for a solid entry level one, I would look at Goldtone.

Can't speak for their banjos, but I just got a Gold Tone squareneck resonator, and it is well made, sounds good, as far as I can tell, not having played a reso since my Supro was stolen around 1970, and that was not a lap style instrument.

spoox · Jan 5, 2021

About 6 years ago I got a used Deering Boston 6 string banjo for about what one of the Goodtime 6 strings go for now. Banjo sound without having to learn yet another stringed instrument--Guitar, Hawaiian Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele, Tamburitza, Balalaika, etc.--enough already!
Although I have to admit those 12 string banjos...sigh.

walrus · Jan 5, 2021

Isn't there a photo of a Guild banjo somewhere? Ralf?

walrus

Nuuska · Jan 5, 2021

I used to have a 5-string banjo - and since they are tuned in open chords I soon started to play my 12-string with those tunings - and sold the banjo.

SFIV1967 · Jan 5, 2021

walrus said:
Isn't there a photo of a Guild banjo somewhere? Ralf?

See Hans' book page 166! Can't paste it here, it's Hans' copyright.

One of the Guild made Banjos lived in Dallas, TX back in 2017, but it had a dot neck, not the fancy neck as shown in Hans book. See 5th article here, the owner was even willing to sell it:

Banjo Hangout - Collector's Corner Forum Feed

tol-lol-de-rol.rssing.com

I don't think this one below would fly however:

There were even Banjo stings offered in 2013 and 2014!

And as already shown, the Madeira by Guild Banjo:

Since Deering was mentioned:

There was a banjo manufacturer Vega in the past. The Vega company was founded in Boston back in 1881. Arguable the most popular Vega product at the time would be the 5-string banjo that was designed and also used by the noted folk singer Pete Seeger.

C.F.Martin acquired the Vega rights from the Bostonian Nelson Family in May of 1970. In March of 1979 C.F.Martin sold the Vega name to the Galaxy Trading Company of South Korea.
And in 1989, Vega (at least the Banjo rights) was bought by the Deering Banjo company which continued the storied history of Vega musical instruments.

Ralf

Tom O · Jan 6, 2021

I built a banjo from a kit. Traded it for a 33 National Duolian. Buy a Republic metal resonator instead of the banjo. They sound a little like a banjo but you can play slide as well.

dreadnut · Jan 6, 2021

I built one from a kit as well. Saga musical instruments. I still play it. After I learned to fingerpick it I transferred the technique to my guitar.

Saga Musical Instruments: Manufacturer | Wholesale Distributor - United States

www.sagamusic.com

beecee · Jan 6, 2021

The Guilds of Grot said:
I have one of these:

Kept it in the "Guild" family!

Really considered taking lessons this Winter before Covid hit.

HA!!!!

Finally a little respect for us Madeira fans!

Actually Richard, had it not been for the banjo the dred may have never been invented

Banjo Anyone????????????????

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