cosmicbanjo - Posted - 07/06/2009:  13:31:58

I am looking to get an electric banjo--- hey im 24 and love getting a little bit away from the 'traditional view' of banjos.

So....

I like the way the Meteor looks---- but want a good banjo too (I play a calico and a deering longneck) so wanted input on both of these banjos!

Thanks guys!

f#dead - Posted - 07/06/2009:  13:49:20

approx 500 hits each for search "meteor" or "crossfire". that's a lot of info and maybe a good place to start. good luck.

"We''re lost. But we''re makin good time".

cosmicbanjo - Posted - 07/06/2009:  13:58:53

I have... I was more looking for someone who has played both who could give an evaluation...

meatmissle - Posted - 07/06/2009:  14:40:24

not to many electric banjo players around here. Much more traditional. I really want one or the other myself. I've seen that question asked many times (asked similar questions myself) and I've only seen a few answers which haven't really been of much help. Mostly stuff like, "I played one once and liked it, but never owned one" for both the meteor and the crossfire. I've seen some good responses, but not enough to base a decision on. I'd like to give you some good advice, but the need to save for a down payment on a house keeps getting in the way of buying one.

The only reason I would suggest a crossfire is that it seems to be the one that Bela plays more often. Of course he also has quite the custom neck and pick-up set-up on his, so whatever he has, you will not get from the factory.

As far as the Meteor goes, I have never heard anything bad about it.

I'm thinking that they are pretty comparable.

If I had it to do over again with limited funds, I think I would buy a Nechville Nextar and then buy the Turbo Module to convert back and forth from acoustic to electric. I haven't heard how the turbo module sounds (it's supposed to be exactly like the Meteor), but the switch appears pretty easy, and it would be a hell of a lot cheaper than buying a nice acoustic and a nice electric. Maybe after I get the house, I'll sell my Deluxe and do that.

Hope you can get some advice.

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Banjo Stan - Posted - 07/06/2009:  15:10:48

I bought a Nechville Phantom and got a turbo module to go electric in my band.
I'm very happy with the Phantom acoustically and with the turbo.
Dave at Turtle Hill can fix you up.



Stan Robins

budbennett - Posted - 07/06/2009:  15:11:24

i'm selling a goldtone ebm if you want to try one for a lot less money to see if you like it.

scribefit - Posted - 07/06/2009:  15:42:10

Ive had a custom Meteor for five years now, the neck is fantastic,as is the banjo its self.

Mike

cmp2727 - Posted - 07/06/2009:  17:32:06

From what I understand.. from asking the very same question from an accomplished player ,one whos played both, stated the Meteor has much more feedback then the Crossfire..He said that you can take the crossfire and hook it up to some 200.oo amp and its great

Bryan - Posted - 07/06/2009:  18:30:48

Have a look at the Meteor review on this site which I put there some time ago. I have subsequently played both the Deering Crossfire and the Goldtone EBT since writing the review so I think i,m as qualified as anyone to answer your query. Im a lurker rather than a regular contributor to BH but since this topic is interesting, here goes:

The Meteor is great to play, with the radiused fingerboard and (with mine) the tunnelled 5th string. The balance of the instrument whilst playing is perfect, sitting or standing, and is quite light.No sore backs standing up all night with this baby!
The Deering like all Deerings also has a great neck, but despite also being fine to play is quite bulky and noticeably heavier than the Meteor (though probably lighter than a Masterclone)

The Meteor can sound very slightly more banjo like than the crossfire though depending on settings and amps this could be arguable. The Crossfire can sound more electric guitarish than the Meteor, again depending on effects and amps.

As regards feedback etc, the Crossfire has magnetic pickups and therefore theoretically zero feedback. The Meteor has one magnetic pickup in the neck position (a EMG FT or EMG 81, depending what option you take) and an under head stick on piezzo pickup. The piezzo pickup can cause feedback, and for this reason a circular foam insert is supplied with the banjo which can be
fitted against the underside of the head. Personally the piezzo pickup sounds -I can only say: not great at higher volumes and for this reason I have it backed off to about 30% of my total volume. I never get feedback now. I have been researching something better to replace the piezzo for some time. I must say, though: no complaints about Nechville ,this is a fabulous instrument and I feel priviledged to own it. It's good to have something to get wild on from time to time, with a few effects etc.
As meatmissile says re the Crossfire, Bela Fleck's Crossfire is heavily modified in the pickup department. IT obviously has some sort of Synthesiser bridge pickup, plus a surface mounted additional magnetic pickup near the neck. His website doesnt reveal much detail on this.

What would I buy if I was repeating the exercise? I honestly dont know, since I got the Meteor from Janet Davis on her reccomendation, and if she had just sent me a Crossfire I know I would have loved that too. Probably if I had unlimited funds I would get Tom Nechville to build me a wild custom Meteor.

As regards the Goldtone electrics, they are ok but they reflect their price range a bit. They are fine to play but they have got a longer scale length and take a bit of getting used to.

Finally, none of the above make a very acceptable substitute for use in a traditional bluegrass band,--you would get kicked out of the band and probably off the stage

hope this helps
Bryan

glsmi - Posted - 07/07/2009:  04:20:36

Alison Brown just ordered a Meteor.
Barry

meatmissle - Posted - 07/07/2009:  05:38:40

I stand corrected : )



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35tb3 - Posted - 07/08/2009:  07:45:25

If you REALLY want to get "a little bit away from the traditional view of banjos" you might think about Tom Nechville's electric Aurora Borealis. As you might know this is a version of the Meteor developed with Alison Brown that has nylon strings. It can be heard on several of her recordings, particularly on Out of the Blue. To my ear, it has a fantastic, warm tone more reminiscent of an electric guitar - okay, it could be the player. Anyway, I ordered one a month ago and can't wait to get it in my hands.

If that's a bit of a stretch for you, you might also think about Scott Vestal's Stealth. Definately not your grandpa's banjo - very cool looking (especially with the black head). I have one that I got from Scott that he had recorded and toured with that has a Fishman system that works quite well amped up.

In the interest of full disclosure, I rearely 'plug in' and almost always pick one of my more traditional banjos.

Regards,
Bill