Starter Banjo

[libratune]

I've been thinking about picking up a banjo, but have no idea what's good and what's not in terms of brands and features. I'm looking for something fairly inexpensive (in case this doesn't go anywhere) but good enough to last and sound decent.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[teb]

These guys have pretty good info and sound clips for many of the banjos they sell.
http://www.banjohut.com

[libratune]

Thanks, Todd. I appreciate your help.

I checked it out. That's a great site with a lot of good information.

[peewee]

Do you want an open back or a resonator model? Each produces a specific tone. The open back is mostly associated with Old Time music and has a "softer" tone where as the resonator is what is most associated with Bluegrass and projects more.

The Deering Goodtime banjo is an excellent beginner's instrument. Its an open back model that is light weight, American made and at a price point that won't break the bank. You can find these right around $375. My old housemate has one of these it got a ton of playing time. The Goodtime 2 is a resonator version of the Goodtime and can be found for @ $525.

http://www.deeringbanjos.com/goodtime

[cjj]

I'd say what you pick depends a lot on what sort of music you intend to play. For Bluegrass, 5 string resonator is the ticket.

In any case, I'd suggest actually playing a number of different brands/models, even if you don't know how yet. Just get the feel of it and the tone. Way back when, when I decided to take up banjo, I bought a cheap beginners model. No idea what it was, just what they had in the store. I took lessons and everything, and almost gave up just because it wasn't fun to play.

Then I came across this little gem...

[sloop_john_b]

Ron, I've been using an Epiphone banjo for a couple of years now, which is nice and has a resonator, but I've been thinking about selling it and getting a Deering Goodtime open back. I like the lighter weight of the open back, and it's generally just more comfortable to play then my heavy Epiphone. I understand the Epi might be more of a "real" banjo, but I'm not a very serious player and I'll probably be more inclined to pick up the Deering and play it then I do with the Epi.

[rickboy88]

I've had the "Rogue" banjo from Musicians Friend for 2-3 years now. I think that is a great value and currently runs $180. Mine may have been $150 on sale when I got it. It was made in Korea (Remo head made in Taiwan), but now production may be in China.
It doesn't look like they still sell the hard case, but they have a "Durafoam" case now, which looks to be close.

[peewee]

I'd say what you pick depends a lot on what sort of music you intend to play. For Bluegrass, 5 string resonator is the ticket.

In any case, I'd suggest actually playing a number of different brands/models, even if you don't know how yet. Just get the feel of it and the tone. Way back when, when I decided to take up banjo, I bought a cheap beginners model. No idea what it was, just what they had in the store. I took lessons and everything, and almost gave up just because it wasn't fun to play.

Then I came across this little gem...

DSCN0413.JPG

Is this an old RB-75? Nice in any case!

[cjj]

I'd say what you pick depends a lot on what sort of music you intend to play. For Bluegrass, 5 string resonator is the ticket.

In any case, I'd suggest actually playing a number of different brands/models, even if you don't know how yet. Just get the feel of it and the tone. Way back when, when I decided to take up banjo, I bought a cheap beginners model. No idea what it was, just what they had in the store. I took lessons and everything, and almost gave up just because it wasn't fun to play.

Then I came across this little gem...

DSCN0413.JPG

Is this an old RB-75? Nice in any case!

I think so, but I'm not really sure. Inside, it has a label that says it's a Gibson Mastertone, made in Kalamazoo, MI. but the fretboard doesn't have the typical "MASTERTONE" inlay. The guy I bought it from, back in 1978, said it used to belong to J.D. Crowe (yeah, right, no proof of that). I think I paid something like $500 or so for it. But whatever, it plays like a dream and sounds absolutely fantastic (OK, yeah, it's a banjo, so it's fantastic for a banjo ). The neck is so thin you'd think you could snap it in your fingers...

[libratune]

Thanks for all the good info. I have a better understanding of the resonator v. open-backed models.

I've got several possibilities I'm looking at now.

CJJ's Gibson is not one of them!

[cjj]

I've had several people offer me stupid amounts of money for it over the years. Honestly, I have no idea if it's worth anything other than being a great playing instrument. And, no, it's not for sale...

Anyway, glad to hear you've got some prospects. As I said, play a few of them and get something you like. It's just like guitars or anything else, really. If you like it and it speaks to you, get it. If you try it and it just doesn't cut it, keep looking...

[peewee]

My friend the banjo player (who also happens to be a great Travis picker on guitar, too) has a number of banjos including a few Vegas. The necks on those are some of the narrowest I've ever seen. In addition to those, he also has an RB-75 and what we call The Fibson, which is a pre-war Mastertone clone fitted with an authentic Gibson pre-war tone ring and a couple of Deerings. Huge sounding skinbox! He keeps the Fibson set up as an archtop for getting that old Ralph Stanley tone from back in the Stanley Brothers days. I like the open backs, myself, especially when he gets into to frailing and playing old Uncle Dave Macon stuff!