#16
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You choice is going to depend on what style your mother wants to play. Clawhammer? Three finger bluegrass? Two finger old time style?
Find out what she’s interested in learning and then go from there. |
#17
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Another correction, Bart Reiter has retired from making banjos, although there are currently some stores that have existing inventory.
If mom is set on getting a resonator banjo then then consider The Deering models with wood tone rings such as the John Hartford with grenadilla tone ring. These banjos are considerably lighter than resonator banjos with cast tone rings. The entry price is still 5 bills, but resale would be good if she decides to go the open back route. |
#18
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The White Lotus by Deering is a cheaper and lighter alternative to the Hartford model if you are looking at resonators.
Resale on a Hartford is not as good as you’d think. Bart has his business up for sale. No takers yet though. |
#19
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There is a Morgan Monroe resonator banjo in the AGF Classifieds for sale that might make a nice starter banjo...
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#20
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I'd consider the Deering good time if she is leaning toward a resonator banjo, I started on one and was very happy for a long time. It is not too heavy as well. I have a Gibson RB that is quite heavy (I'd guess nearly twice the weight, makes my Les Paul feel light). I passed mine along to a friend who wanted to learn, or I'd still have it.
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scoTt Various stringed instruments |
#21
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Resonator weight depends on the tone ring. Most of the Deering Goodtime resonator banjos don’t have a tone ring.
You can also play 3 finger Scruggs style on an open back banjo. Bill Evans demonstrates quite clearly this on Peghead Nation’s website. https://www.pegheadnation.com/instru...ericana-banjo/ |
#22
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Quote:
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#23
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Consider Gold Tone too. I had a banjola for several ears, intended to help me learn five string banjo while not scaring the wife or the cats. I did not pursue it like I had planned, and sold my banjola about four years ago. It was a decent quality instrument, but not nearly as loud as a resonator banjo (not necessarily a bad thing). I would also support choosing an the open back version, at least as a starter instrument. https://goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldt...banjos?sort=az
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#24
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I have a RK 80 banjo that's so very heavy I don't even play it!
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#25
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Funny I did the same thing for my mom for retirement. I highly recommend an open back model . The resonator is very heavy and loud which will probably be an issue for her. Deering is the best bang for the buck for starter
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#26
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Eastman makes a crackerjack little banjo in your price range.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czWbkNlhlY
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a Vet! 1936 Martin R18 Bourgeois Vintage D Gibson F5 Goldrush Mandolin Wildwood Balladeer Custom 5 string Banjo |
#27
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Today, I purchased an Eastman EBJ-WL1 Whyte Laydie No. 2 from Bernunzio Uptown Music, here in Rochester, New York. I left the banjo at the shop for installation of railroad spikes at the 7th fret and the 9th fret, and will pick it up next week. The store had three of these Eastman-Bernunzio collaborative recreations of a 1903 A.C. Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2 available, and I chose the nicest sounding and constructed one. The three banjos I got to choose from are listed as B-stock with cosmetic flaws, and although I could see where the varnish had run on the peghead Mythical Beast of the other two, the one I chose looked mint. These are new banjos and carry the Eastman warranty. The list-price is $1700, and the usual selling price is $1359, but because of the "cosmetic" issues, I got mine dealt for $950 just for asking about pricing ($1075 is their web-posted price), and with railroad-spike installation included. The banjo comes with a nice old-fashioned style "bump" hardshell case. It'll be interesting to compare the tone of this Eastman Whyte Laydie to my Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie. My banjo at Bernunzio's. From the Eastman Music Company Website - EBJ-WL1: Neck Material: 3 Piece Maple w/ Ebony Strip Fingerboard: Ebony Fingerboard Radius: Flat Nut: 1 11/32 Fretwire: Jescar FW37053 Scale Length: 26" Rim Material: Maple Rim Demensions: 3/8" thick x 10 3/4" width Rim 3/8" Body Top: Coated Remo Head Body Back/Sides: Open Back Maple Rim Binding: Fingerboard Binding Material: Ivoroid Inlay: Pearl Diamond, Star, Diamond Hardware Color: Chrome Head Skin (Top): Remo BJ-1012-H6 Bridge: Maple/ Ebony Top String Spacing:10mm Nut Height: .022" Tuners: Pingwell RM-1310C Strings: D'adarrio EJ61NY Action Height: Strings 1-4 (0.09"), String 5 (0.06") Case: Hardshell Case Eastman EBJ-WL1 Whyte Laydie and Emerald X20 Carbon Guitar Transparent Green Finish: Current Banjos: Vega No. 2 Tubaphone OME North Star Walnut Eastman EBJ-WL1 Whyte Laydie Vega 12" Old Tyme Wonder Rickard 12" Maple Ridge Dobson Pisgah 12" Walnut Tubaphone Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie Deering Sierra Flathead Resonator
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 Last edited by SpruceTop; 03-20-2021 at 04:06 AM. |
#28
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Stone Banjo
Steve Gerritson at Stone Banjo makes some beautiful banjos - don’t know what music she likes, but an open back for old time etc. might be a way to go, I would imagine finger picks might frustrate her. His 19th century tribute fretless is my favorite, strung up with red nylgut. The fret less can be a challenge, but he makes traditional open backs too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything of his over $1000, but I haven’t looked in awhile. He’s really good to deal with as well.
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#29
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Stone banjo update
Just checked Steve’s website and he has two for sale, a 12” and an 11” inch for $1100 and $950 respectively. I’d go with the 11 inch. I have one of those 60s Vegas that Aristophan is fond of with an 11’’ head and it’s definitely easier to hold. I love the Pisgah 12” and have a half fretless, but it’s a little more challenging to play even though it has a beautiful sound. If you go for the 12” definitely get a strap as the long neck and big head can be hard to hold (longer than a guitar neck)
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