Banjo75 - Posted - 11/01/2008:  17:45:16

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Before my wife shelled out the money to Banjo.com for the Epiphone MB-100 banjo, she wanted me to play it. As fate would have it Guitar Center had one in Nashua, NH. We waded through hords of heavy metal thunder ripping guitarists (which set off my anxiety something fierce) into the safety and cramped quarters of the almost quiet "acoustic room".

There was the Epi hanging from the wall (oooh!). Man, it's sweet looking. But is it better than my ol' Sears and Roebuck?

I take it down and the wood has a nice feeling. Not too heavy, but heavy enough that you know it will last. The bridge is also a nice solid piece. Tuners are a little easy to turn but they stay in tune fine and the geared 5th string is a nice addition. The frosted head is also a nice touch.

I start playing.... (oooh, ahhh)... this thing makes me sound good. Some others in the acoustic room actual watch... shocked that someone is playing that weird tamborine thing with a guitar neck attached to it (remember, I live in New England) and some because my playing is fairly smooth.

The strings are the perfect distance apart. My finger easy plucks through them. Wow, this is a nice playing instrument and it is set-up wrong. Even with the bridge sinking into the head it is still playing well. Fretting is a breeze! I can only imagine what a Vega feels like! ... but hey, I am getting spoiled as it is.

I daydream the whole ride home back to my now resonator-less Sears and Roebuck. The S&R gives me a look and well what can I say? We are breaking up soon....


Walking down the path that was cleared by Pete Seeger.
Playing folk music on my banjo since September 2008.

riverwindflutes - Posted - 11/01/2008:  18:27:03

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Very cool, I also have an Epiphone MB-100 that I have modified and I really like the sound, not bad for a cheap asian banjo, Huh!




"It is best to be honest and truthfull, to make the most of what you have, to be happy with simple pleasures, to be cheerfull, and have courage when things go wrong".
Laura Ingalls WIlder
Author of:
"Little House on the Prairie"

Studebaker Hawk - Posted - 11/01/2008:  20:07:54

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I played one recently at the Guitar Center in Las Vegas, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well made it was and the tone I was getting out of it. And for an entry-level banjo, it's a heckava lot more affordable than the Goodtime when you factor in the anticipated price increase that Deering says is soon to come. Yeah, I'd say you'd be getting a good 'un if you chose the MB-100.

Your Pal,
Stu D. Baker-Hawk

"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati"

tinkersdam - Posted - 11/01/2008:  23:37:43

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Instead of alienating the family by having them listen to hours of my often 'less than stellar' picking on my Gibson RB250, I also have an Epiphone MB100 that I picked up for use as my 'quiet' practice banjo. I've also used it in a jam group too....nice to have when I don't have a clue as to how the song goes and need to noodle quietly to find the chords.....but, pick the strings with more confidence and it can be heard across the room. Not a bad little open-back for the price.... The tuners hold the strings in tune quite well over the long term and the string height was already set perfect...no buzzes anywhere...but it does need a little set-up if you get it 'right out of the box' but nothing big time....

Hope you enjoy it.



Dee


I can get ''er up to 120.... but any more than that and I''m gonna be roadkill on the bluegrass highway.

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 11/02/2008:  13:53:35

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quote:

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Originally posted by Banjo75
[snip
I start playing.... (oooh, ahhh)... this thing makes me sound good. Some others in the acoustic room actual watch... shocked that someone is playing that weird tamborine thing with a guitar neck attached to it (remember, I live in New England) and some because my playing is fairly smooth.

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1. check out how many BHO members live in New England and how many festivals, bluegrass and otherwise we banjo pickers go to, how many concerts, coffeehouse gigs and jams ( Bluegrass, Oldtime, Celtic and other) are happening here in New England. It's not nearly as lonely as you make it out to be.

2. (especially because) You live in Lowell, home of the Lowell Folk Festival and the Lowell Fiddle and Banjo Contests. You REALLY need to get out and look around some.
3. Welcome to the New England banjo scene. There's a lot going on around you- some monthly jams within 20 miles of Lowell- please check out the listings on the Boston Bluegrass Union web pages www,bbu.org and get into the swing of it.

deligo ergo renideo,
Bob Cameron

mvancamp - Posted - 11/02/2008:  21:10:20

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I bought a used Epiphone MB-100 this summer via the classifieds here at BHO. I have played it at least an hour every day since I got it and can say that I am very happy with it. It has been a fantastic instrument for me to learn on. I figured I would save for a more expensive banjo down the road. But while I am saving, I will continue playing my Epi and getting better all the time. I think you will really enjoy it and get a lot of mileage out of it.

Have fun!

Banjo75 - Posted - 11/03/2008:  03:02:05

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That's my exact plan. Save my penny's for the banjo of my dreams and play the Epi in the meantime. It will be a nice step up that I can comfortably learn on!


Walking down the path that was cleared by Pete Seeger.
Playing folk music on my banjo since September 2008.