Banjo Suggestions?

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by H165

... Like it or not, Reverb and Guitar Center are probably your main sources...

I don't, and they're not; fretted instrument specialty shops like Elderly, Gryphon, McCabe's, Fuller's, Music Emporium, Bernunzio, et al. carry an excellent selection of instruments in a variety of price ranges, and you stand a far better chance of connecting with someone who knows what they're talking about when it comes to banjos. All jokes aside, they're very complex and idiosyncratic instruments highly sensitive to player tweaks/mods, as a whole requiring more maintenance than a guitar if you expect to get the best out of them, and exhibiting seemingly infinite variety in their iterations (5-string, pony, long-neck, plectrum, tenor, bass, banjeaurine, guitjo, fretless, etc.), construction (open-back, resonator, minstrel, top-tension, archtop, flathead, dowel, single-/dual-coordinator rod - not to mention the pantheon of tone ring varieties) and potential combinations of features; I've been dabbling in banjos for nearly 30 years and I'm just beginning to wrap my head around all this stuff (haven't even mentioned heads, tuners, tailpieces, mutes, or bridges yet, nor the different types of picks in common use) - very different from guitar in nearly all respects, and as a total newbie you'll want someone who can guide you through the process of finding an instrument best suited to your style(s) of music, tonal/technical requirements, and budget with a minimum of hassle...

[H165]

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[masmith]

Thanks everyone for your help- I got this last night. Now I have to keep it a surprise until Christmas for my wife!!!!

https://reverb.com/item/16630269-dee...2018-w-new-hsc

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by masmith

Thanks everyone for your help- I got this last night. Now I have to keep it a surprise until Christmas for my wife!!!!

https://reverb.com/item/16630269-dee...2018-w-new-hsc

Good choice. Hard to go wrong with a Deering. Just go ahead and give it to her now. You'll get the joy of watching her enjoy it for an extra 6 weeks.

[masmith]

Originally Posted by roylor4

Good choice. Hard to go wrong with a Deering. Just go ahead and give it to her now. You'll get the joy of watching her enjoy it for an extra 6 weeks.

Yeah seems like a killer deal for basically a new one with a Hardshell case strap and a couple extra sets of string. Gunna be real hard not to give it to her before Christmas you may be onto something ...

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by masmith

Thanks everyone for your help- I got this last night. Now I have to keep it a surprise until Christmas for my wife!!!!

https://reverb.com/item/16630269-dee...2018-w-new-hsc

Your wife will be so glad you got an Artisan model Goodtime, they just look so much nicer!