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dlew - Posted - 07/16/2009: 08:56:48
Hello everyone here on BHO! I can gladly say I'm proud to be a new member of this online community and I'm posting here for the first time in the hopes of getting some advice on purchasing a new/used banjo. I've read numerous posts from other users about beginner banjos and I have a decent idea of what I'm looking for. At the same time I want to post on here and get some personal advice on which direction I should take in my path to learning how to play this awesome instrument.
For starters I'll go ahead and say I'm interested in learning to play the clawhammer style at least to begin with. I have no experience in playing the banjo whatsoever so I feel like this may be the easiest for me to pick up. Plus I really enjoy the old timey music of the Appalachians which is the area I am originally from. I do enjoy bluegrass music as well so I'm curious if the transition would be easier one way or another. Mostly I will be playing alone or with a friend so from what I've read this style is most applicable to this as well.
Basically what I'm looking for is a 5 string open back banjo or one with a resonator that can be removed easily. I would like one of at least decent quality within a reasonable price range so that its not too much for me to handle but also is enough of an intrusment to keep me interested and allow me to grow into over the next few years. The quality of the instrument is definitely more imortant to me than the flare some companies offer at an extended price. I have no real preference on where the banjo is made I just want the most banjo for my investment. Used may be the best way to go but I'm a little hesitant about buying a banjo I have never touched and since I'm totally new to this I'm not very good at picking up on a good deal. Plus like I said I don't want to jump into something that is over my head.
If anyone on here has any advice at all for me I'm completely open to suggestions and they would be much appreciated. I'm really interested in learning how to play and play well so I want to get off on the right foot. Thanks for reading!!
Viper - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:09:09
Welcome. I hope you find what you're looking for. if you're worried about buying used, check the classifieds here. You can search by your price range and then survey the members here to find out if it's a good deal. You'll get the same handful of suggested beginner banjos. If you can locate a nearby store, you can at least hold a few of them and see what feels good in your hands. Good luck.
Cheers!
__________________________________________________________
Right way or wrong way, I just want to play the banjo SOME way.
chip arnold - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:17:17
Hi and welcome to Banjo Hangout :-)
Buy at the top of your budget. But you can't get any good advice if folks don't know your budget. The first suggestion was for a Goodtime from Deering. But what if you're willing to spend $1,500.00?
**********************
Take what is given
Give what is taken
Chip Arnold
benbonewilly - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:17:36
quote:
Originally posted by tombriarhopper
Welcome to the group! My choice would be a Deering Goodtime banjo.
Tom Briarhopper
http://www.wbtbriarhoppers.blogspot.com
I am new to banjo too. I just got a Deering Gootime about a month ago and I LOVE it! ............................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................. Truth is not relative. It is absolute.
dewbanjo - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:24:07
Welcome, I'd suggest a Deering Goodtime. "if" you can aford a bit more, then look at Enoch Tradesman.
Keep on the "sunny side"!
Don
RJFreeman - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:36:25
quote:
Originally posted by dlew
For starters I'll go ahead and say I'm interested in learning to play the clawhammer style at least to begin with. I have no experience in playing the banjo whatsoever so I feel like this may be the easiest for me to pick up. Plus I really enjoy the old timey music of the Appalachians which is the area I am originally from. I do enjoy bluegrass music as well so I'm curious if the transition would be easier one way or another. Mostly I will be playing alone or with a friend so from what I've read this style is most applicable to this as well.
Clawhammer and bluegrass do a lot of the same things with the left hand, but the right is completely different. You might want to consider old time 2 finger or 3finger picking which would make it easier to transition to bluegrass picking later if you wanted. Much of the music of that area was played 2 and 3 finger as well as clawhammer. Listen to some of Chip Arnold's music files on his homepage for some great 2 finger picking. I would suggest you listen to a lot of different styles to see what you really like. Besides these styles there are others. Up picking is nice to accompany singing and can be combined with 2 finger for a good sound.
Edited by - RJFreeman on 07/16/2009 09:42:35
andrewsan - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:38:20
Let me add my "Welcome!" to those you have already received. This site and its supporters are an outstanding source of information, advice, instruments, music, and on and on....
If clawhammer is your initial choice, several people offer package deals for the beginner. I'd recommend Dan Levenson's CDs and DVDs, or those of Patrick Costello. I'm biased to Patrick's materials myself, since I met him and his dad at their May 2009 banjo retreat in Crisfield, Maryland. Very good people, very generous with their knowledge, and very enthusiastic about spreading the love of clawhammer and "old-time" music. Check their two starter packages at www.pik-ware.com.
Oh yes...the used open backs that are advertised in the Hangout's Classified section are usally fairly priced and accurately described.
Good luck on your journey into the world of Banjo!
Andrew Stevenson
MandolZinn - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:41:33
I'll second the Tradesman suggestion. It's my first banjo, and will likely be the banjo I use for the next 5 or so years... Mine is loud, with clear but mellow tone, and you can go many different routes (fretless, half-fret, false fret, a scoop is a (highly recommended) option etc.) Plus, they have a shorter neck, which I prefer for clawhammer playing.
A friend has a (I think) Gold Tone bought from someone who was able to set it up very nicely, and (in my opinion) sounds a LOT better than most Goodtimes I've played. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a bit less, as well...
[ª]
OOOPS... my bad... I said "Morgan Monroe" when I'd meant to say Gold Tone... The friend of mine's cousin is the one with the Morgan Monroe... and it stinks.
Edited by - MandolZinn on 07/16/2009 10:38:17
EggerRidgeBoy - Posted - 07/16/2009: 09:51:57
If you decide to go with a new banjo, I would highly recommend the Gold Tone CC-OT. It can be bought for a beginner banjo price (I got mine last fall for $249 at Elderly - they have now raised the price to $349) but it is not a beginner instrument. It would last you well into the intermediate stage. At Elderly it comes with a gig bag, strap, and introductory clawhammer DVD by Bob Carlin:
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/...s/GTCCOT.htm
dlew - Posted - 07/16/2009: 10:10:17
quote:
Originally posted by chip arnold
Hi and welcome to Banjo Hangout :-)
Buy at the top of your budget. But you can't get any good advice if folks don't know your budget. The first suggestion was for a Goodtime from Deering. But what if you're willing to spend $1,500.00?
**********************
Take what is given
Give what is taken
Chip Arnold
Hello and thank you all for your kind welcomes to this site! Your advice is very much appreciated. I'd have to say my price range is somewhere around $500 give or take a little. I don't know how much difference there is from tier to tier but I feel like this would get me a good beginner/intermediate banjo with good quality components. I've definitely considered the gold tone cc and of course the deering goodtimes both of which I've heard wonderful things about. I'll be sure to look into the tradesman as well bacause that is one I'm not as familiar with.
Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/16/2009: 10:31:38
EggerRidgeBoy has it right. I just played the CC-OT for the first time Monday. In my opinion, it blows every banjo in its price range out of the water. You'd have to pay more than two times as much to get a banjo that was clearly better. If you're in the $500 or less range, this one, to me, is a no-brainer. This banjo has replaced the new Goodtime as my recommended starting banjo. I like it so well I'm thinking about getting one for a "go-anywhere" instrument.
Bill
FretlessFury - Posted - 07/16/2009: 11:27:11
The CC-OT is a wonderful first instrument. I've played lots of Goodtimes, and while I think they're reasonable starter instruments I prefer the Gold Tones by a wide margin. It's nice to have that rolled brass tone ring. It really is an improvement to the wooden rim of the Goodtime.
The Enoch Tradesmans are superb as well. It's all the banjo you'll really ever need.
Tom Collins
---------------
www.newhottimes.com
Elements of Round Peak Banjo videos: http://youtube.com/profile?user=FretlessFury
Big Doug Nez - Posted - 07/16/2009: 13:05:15
I listened to songs on the BHO and sound bytes on various web pages looking for the banjo that had the sound I liked. I narrowed It to a Chuck Lee and a Gold tone WL-250. I bought the WL-250 with the scooped neck and I love it. Someday I might spend the extra for a Chuck Lee. I realize that both of my suggestions are openbacks, I'm just trying to say there are a lot of great choices out there I picked mine considering quality, sound, and price, as the three determining factors.
Good luck and Welcome to the hangout.
banjo-boy - Posted - 07/16/2009: 15:14:46
Like Doug, I really liked the Gold Tone WL-250, but ended up finding a used Recording King California Deluxe on the Hang out. I bought it and love it (much better than my GoodTime)!. I see on Recording King's sight they have a new one called the Madison with a removable resonator if your not sure which way you want to go.
"You ain''t no ''Good Old Boys''"
--The Blues Brothers
Alpha Omicron - Posted - 07/16/2009: 17:34:27
There's also the Somerset S-5, if you're looking to buy hand-made, rather than factory.
chip arnold - Posted - 07/16/2009: 17:40:58
Chris Via and Neil Turner, both members of the Hangout make the Somerset banjo in their shops for the Costellos. I've never seen one but I have seen Chris's personal banjo and he did an excellent job on it.
**********************
Take what is given
Give what is taken
Chip Arnold
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 07/16/2009: 20:02:17
Under 500 - go for the Good Time
Under 1000 - get a New Enoch Tradesman or a used Ramsey Student. These are both truly hand made high quality instruments.
However - If you are near a shop that specializes in banjos the thing to do is find teh one that speaks to you.
You don't say what experience you have but if you have just about any book on clawhammer I suggest you download Rocket Science Banjo to supplement it. RSB is free to all and you can download it from my website.
If you can, find yourself a teacher - it can be difficult in many parts of the country. If you can't find a teacher - look at the Rocket Science Banjo Videos on my website. I wish I had more done and hope to do some in the fall, but for now that is all there are. Lessons 1 and 2 explain the basic strokes.
If you are interested in what I say on the hangout you should download a free copy of Rocket Science Banjo - the Advanced Method For Beginning to Intermediate Clawhammer Players. Along with the full text in PDF you will also find the four current RSB videos and the "25 EZ Clawhammer tunes at:
http://www.rocketsciencebanjo.com
Looking for a tab? Ask The Woodchuck - If I''ve got it or will do it - you can get it for a buck.
Banjo Brad is still hosting "How To Mold A Mighty Pinky" and some other material at:
http://www.pricklypearmusic.net
A site chock full of interesting banjo material
dewbanjo - Posted - 07/17/2009: 03:49:41
dlew, not to sure how far away you are from Zepp's Music Store in Wendell, NC If you can swing the trip it would be worth it to see, hear, play, feel the banjos he has in stock... recommend checking out his web site!! You'll find one that just feels, sounds right for you.
On my visit I "thought" I wanted a Gold Tone.... but decided on a Enoch Tradesman. My biggest mistake was not purchasing it at that time... by the time I decided a week later it sold. But, long story short I found one and love it.
Keep on the "sunny side"!
Don
Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/17/2009: 21:01:34
Many of us forget that for some players price is a very important factor. How many would recommend to an intermediate player looking to upgrade that that player purchase a pre-fire Whyte Laydie? Great banjos to be sure, but out of most folks' price range. For a beginner, I think an 11" banjo is the choice. It's the standard, and those who later decide to try a 12" instrument have several to choose from. I recommended the CC-OT because I think it's a very decent banjo and a very reasonable price.
Bill
Voyageur - Posted - 07/17/2009: 23:39:09
Welcome, Daniel! Here is a somewhat different suggestion. If you decide to buy in the $500 - $1000 range, then check out Dan Pennington's banjo for sale here in the BHO classifieds: http://www.banjohangout.org/classif...asp?cid=8366]
My first clawhammer banjo has a block rim made by Dan, and I love the sound. The one for sale here is much nicer than the one I bought. Dan is a great guy, too.
Whatever you choose, you are going to enjoy the banjo so much!
Mary
"Do not pray for an easy life. Pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks."
- Fr. Solanus Casey
Tamarack - Posted - 07/18/2009: 04:55:43
Welcome Daniel!
Beware -- you are dealing with something highly addictive!
I personally prefer Gold Tone banjos to Goodtimes, but any $500 banjo recommended by BHO people will be a fine starter instrument. As you learn to play and listen to more old time music, you will soon start hearing the sound in your head that is perfect for you, and the quest for the banjo with that sound will begin.
mandolin123 - Posted - 07/20/2009: 05:22:09
I've got the cc-ot and am quite pleased.
blah blah blah
pernicketylad - Posted - 07/20/2009: 05:47:19
I love my Tradesman but you won't get one for $500 and it is quite specific to OT styles in my opinion.
There are three types of people in the world.....those who can count and those who can''t!
Earthstrider - Posted - 07/20/2009: 06:08:37
I can't add anything to the advice already given other than backing up what Oldwoodchuck (and others) have said: i.e. "Find one that speaks to you". In any price range you'll find a whole range of different sounds. Find the one that 'rings your bell' and you're more than half way to finding the banjo that suits you. Yeah OK, playability, quality of build etc count as well but these won't appear very important if you think the thing sounds like a cat being sat on.
Got Blisters on me Fingers!
dlew - Posted - 07/20/2009: 08:23:17
Thanks to everyone for the sound advice!! I have really enjoyed reading your opinions on which direction is the best for me to take. Obviously I realize that it is different for each and every person and I know my best bet will be to get my hands on some banjos and try them for myself. As of right now I've located 2 stores in the area that distribute entry level and above banjos and I am planning on taking a visit to both this week. I'm most interested in trying out the gold tone cc-ot and the deering goodtime and seeing which one gives the best sound and feedback for me. Until then I'm still keeping my options open in case anyone still wants to comment and I'll be sure to let you all know what my final decision is. Thanks again!!
un5trung - Posted - 07/21/2009: 05:46:23
I'll admit right off that I've not played the Gold Tone, and it may well be a wonderful banjo. Before you buy, however, please note that it is not American-made. The parts come from Asia -- Korea I believe -- though it may be assembled in Florida. The origin of the banjo may not mean something to various people, and I'm not saying it should. I'd never criticize anyone for owning a Gold Tone.* But my preference is for American-made banjos, preferably those made my craftsmen. I am a Goodtime owner and I like the instrument, but if I had it to do over again I'd save up and buy the student models made by either Kevin Dobson, Mike Ramsey (Chanterelle) or Bart Reiter.
Robert
*For one thing many very good players, some of whom have posted in this thread, play Gold Tones. For another, I'm likely to buy a GT Cello myself (but only because I can't find another affordable cello model ;-).
freddfish - Posted - 07/21/2009: 09:09:27
No disrespect to the Deering Goodtime advocates here, but I have never played one of them that I liked (and I have played a lot of them). It could be chronically bad setup, or personal preference, but I don't like the sound of them, how they handle, or even how they look. (One of my mentors remarked that showing up at a jam with one is like having a NEWBIE sign around your neck...don't know if I would go THAT far though....) I have a Goldtone openback, and have been in love with the feel, tone and even look of it from day one.
350.00-450.00? Gold Tone (mine is a CB-100, came with a hardcase, paid 500.00, but you can get them cheaper, and there are other models) is a real good choice. a banjo that will be a great starter AND intermediate level banjo
550.00 and up? Try one of the Somersets, S-5 for starters, handmade by Neil Turner and Chris Via. These are a good choice for intermediate to advanced...try the S-2 and S-1 line for their top-end. I have toured Chris's shop, and played his instruments, and I was impressed. EXTREMELY impressed. Great handmade banjos...Chris is a top notch craftsman with a real committment to quality, and also to preserving the old styles. Neil's banjo necks are also well-crafted to exacting standards...he is a fine woodworker that I would trust to craft a neck for me. Both of these guys come from epicenters of old-time Appalachian music, and it is something that they grew up with. I personally see that as a factor. I have both an S-5 and an S-2 on loan at the moment, and they are great instruments, and very reasonably priced. (I have retired my GoldTone until I have to give them back, and it is going to be hard to give them up when the time comes.)
Anyhoo, good luck! There is no substitute for playing a good instrument. Let us all know how you make out when you pull the trigger on your purchase.
Fred from Baltimore
"You''re a hell of a good banjo player, Scruggs.....but you ain''t a BIT funny..."
-attributed to Uncle Dave Macon, in conversation with Earl Scruggs during their Grand Ole Opry days. I honestly don''t know if it is true or not.
But I hope it is...
dlew - Posted - 08/03/2009: 10:09:42
To all of you who replied to my thread with your advice on beginner banjos I want to again extend my sincere thanks. I really feel like it helped me make the correct decision on which direction to take. I now have an update for all of you. I am now the proud owner of a Gold Tone CC-OT and I couldn't be more thrilled with my purchase. I took the time to see and feel some of the other instruments around here before I made up my mind but really I just fell in love with this banjo as soon as I saw it. For the cost it really is an amazing investment and I feel like it will last me for many years to come. I look forward to practicing it regularly and I can already tell its just so much fun to play. I've already got a good feel for the bum-diddy too so my next question is...what are some good beginner tunes to start working on? I'm planning on taking some lessons definitely but to keep me interested I'd really like to start working on an actual song or two. Any advice? Thanks!!!
Gary Blanchard - Posted - 08/03/2009: 10:18:40
Congratulations, dlew. Sounds like you made a good choice. I am a firm advocate for letting your eye and ear make the choice for you rather than other people's opinions.
When I was looking years ago I was lucky enough to try banjos ranging from $99 to about $1999. My ear and eye settled on the Goodtime, but as Fred from Baltimore (my old hometown) points out, his choice was different. The right sound/look varies and the best opinion is your own.
Enjoy the new banjo. 
Gary Blanchard
"an outlier among outliers"
http://www.gbandf.com
KE - Posted - 08/03/2009: 10:22:24
Congrats! there have been some good reports coming in on those Gold Tone CC-OT.
You ask about some good tunes to start with. i might suggest a look at Mike Iverson's website. He has a large number of tunes graded by difficulty, with both tabs and mp3's. http://www.bluesageband.com/Tabs.html
Booger McGee - Posted - 08/03/2009: 11:44:07
Congratulations! I bought a CC-OT back in May and have really enjoyed learning on it. It's got a wonderful tone!
Right now, I'm working on a set of beginner tunes from Wayne Erbsen's book Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus. It's very beginner friendly.
Booger
Clawdan - Posted - 08/04/2009: 05:23:13
Great choice. I have a beginning book of 12 tunes you might enjoy "Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch". Now, about the bum diddy...
Play nice  ,
Dan "Ain''t no bum-ditty" Levenson
www.Clawdan.com
Clawcamp East is coming right up! Sign up at www.Clawcamp.com
Get started with Dan''s Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch - Book and DVD (Mel Bay Publications)
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