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Richard Dress - Posted - 09/21/2009: 12:37:36
Wouldn't it be interesting to have a banjo contest just for banjos? Like a horse show or a beauty contest? A panel of experts trying out each banjo and voting.
Many brag on their banjos, but the banjo contest we are used to seeing is a contest of pickers, not banjos. The banjos are neglected and ignored. Winning banjos would increase in value accordingly--an incentive for entering them into competition.
An event like IBMA would be a great opportunity for a banjo beauty contest . The pickers, the judges, and the award stage are already in place. The sponsor would have to be Banjo Newsletter, wouldn't it?
Of course, to be credible the choice of judges and judging criteria must be well thought out.
Something to think about, anyway.
Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/21/2009: 12:47:59
Would "Good Taste" be a criterion? Or maybe you could have two categories: "Tastefully Elegant" and "Over-the-Top Gaudy."
Bill
mrphysics55 - Posted - 09/21/2009: 12:56:30
quote:
Or maybe you could have two categories: "Tastefully Elegant" and "Over-the-Top Gaudy."
Yes Two!  and  MrP You NEED a new Banjer! Go To http://www.burnsrepair.com/Home.html quote:
Or maybe you could have two categories: "Tastefully Elegant" and "Over-the-Top Gaudy."
Edited by - mrphysics55 on 09/21/2009 12:57:46
Richard Dress - Posted - 09/21/2009: 15:03:43
Say what you like, but my banjo can beat the crap out of all your banjos put together and missing one string. Except for the square banjo category.
Edited by - Richard Dress on 09/21/2009 15:04:35
banjonz - Posted - 09/21/2009: 18:21:37
It might be a bit difficult to judge 50 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard banjos as they are ummmm! all exactly the same. I guess this contest would be down to the 'non standard' instruments.
Wayne
New Zealand
My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
fitch5string - Posted - 09/21/2009: 19:58:14
I think Stelling and Prucha make the most beautiful banjos today. I also think the Staghorn has stood the test of time as being the most striking design even after 30 plus years. Of course, nothing made today can compare to some of the high end banjos of the 20's and 30's. Take a look at the National 4-string Banjo Museum website and try to pick out the prettiest banjo. It would be very difficult.
FITCH BANJOS
www.FitchBanjos.com
Hand-Crafted Professional Banjos
Burlile Tone Rings
mike gregory - Posted - 09/22/2009: 09:47:02
quote:
Originally posted by banjonz
It might be a bit difficult to judge 50 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard banjos as they are ummmm! all exactly the same. I guess this contest would be down to the 'non standard' instruments.
Wayne
New Zealand
My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Then I win, since I have the least standards of anybody making and selling banjos. Stack the trophy over in the corner with all the other stuff I'll have to leave behind when I die, and let's all sing a few good old songs which well deserve to outlive us all.
Richard Dress - Posted - 09/22/2009: 10:10:29
I don't agree. If you examine 50 identical banjos, maybe ten will sound really good and another ten would sound really bad. Maybe one stands out as a winner. Every banjo is different. A banjo would have to compete on looks as well as sound and playability.
mike gregory - Posted - 09/22/2009: 13:04:38
"And that's when the fight started!!!"
Check your Greek mythology, friend Richard.
Somebody rolled a golden apple into the cluster of goddesses, and it was inscribed "To The Most Beautiful".
Of course, a Hellenic of a fight broke put over who was the eligible receiver.
Now, if we are going to say that a banjo beauty contest must, shall, and will include a beautiful SOUND, that's going to complicate matters enormously.
Let's just pretend we're a shallow bunch of mere mortal immature menfolk, and pass judgement based on our hormonal reaction to external appearance, like we used to when we were younger and/or drunker.
Please note that I said "pretend".
I am well aware that those of you whose wives are still alive, love them not only for how they look, (like a slightly older and more loveable version of the girl you married) but also love them for who they are, and would never consider trading them in on somebody who might look good on the cover of a magazine, but might not be bright enough to READ the entire thing.
....................................
And now that I've gone back and read your ORIGINAL post, I see that you DID suggest that the banjos be judged by sound, with the same picker playing several.
So, I withdraw the entire Greek Mythology comparison.
I would be delighted to hear the Squared Eel being picked by several top-notch players.
Edited by - mike gregory on 09/22/2009 13:08:01
Richard Dress - Posted - 09/22/2009: 14:45:27
All your points are well presented, Mike. I think your Greek analogy is still apt. My golden apple, so to speak, was meant to cause contention among self-deluded banjo owners. That's what would make the race interesting. In fact I would see it more as a horse show, where beauty can be eclipsed by superior performance and self-appraisals are dashed by an impartial panel of judges.
For example, I am sure my banjo would win under any reasonable criteria, but it does have an asymmetrical speed neck and that is a very unique and valuable characteristic. I would like to see such non-standard upgrades and improvements be included in the judging. In that way any square banjo, if it sounds really vile, can make it up in the beauty category. If our culture arrives soon at its destination, we will see horses and humans together in our beauty contests as well as our romantic movies--diversity achieved. At that time we will have to re-evaluate our banjo judging standards and perhaps allow instruments with hair and orifices (I saw one in the dumpster where a State Department couple had moved out)
Ray Soulard - Posted - 09/22/2009: 17:34:50
Well, first: I want to sincerely apologize to Mike Gregory for not including his banjos in my ranking of the most beautiful. Nevertheless, I will say that, if we ever have a contest to determine who is the wittiest/funniest person on the Hangout, Mike will win by a landslide; he has caused me to laugh out loud so many times.
Bill's point about differentiating between ornate, or even gaudy, Vs elegant beauty is very valid.
My opinion isn't really qualified because I'm not very familiar with the early banjos (the Paramounts, Weymans, Orpheums, Farlands, B&Ds, Vegas, etc...), so I'm sure I'm doing an injustice by leaving some magnificent instruments off my list. Still, with reckless abandon, and setting tone aside for another day, I'll say that, for currently produced instruments, I find Bob Flesher's banjos to be exceptionally magnificent - ornate - but still magnificent. I'll then submit that I personally think Ome probably most often strikes the balance Bill was speaking of; not too ornate or over the top gaudy, just elegantly, tastefully, beautiful.
mike gregory - Posted - 09/22/2009: 20:27:10
I spend considerable time and effort being silly.
Thank you for noticing.
goldtopia - Posted - 09/22/2009: 23:57:43
What appeals to some people will not appeal to others. If a banjo looks too ornate it could look ugly but for some it is beautiful. You could have different categories SILLY BANJOS We then could see a few versions of the square eel banjo, which for some would have an eccentric attraction of its own. with a demonstration and talk from their creative masters.
Bill.O
www.bluegrassminstrels.co.uk
Mainechowder - Posted - 09/23/2009: 03:00:32
quote:
Originally posted by mike gregory
quote:
Originally posted by banjonz
It might be a bit difficult to judge 50 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard banjos as they are ummmm! all exactly the same. I guess this contest would be down to the 'non standard' instruments.
Wayne
New Zealand
My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Then I win, since I have the least standards of anybody making and selling banjos.
Stack the trophy over in the corner with all the other stuff I'll have to leave behind when I die, and let's all sing a few good old songs which well deserve to outlive us all.
Mike, You would probably just figure out a way to string up that trophy and make it playable  Don
mybote - Posted - 09/23/2009: 06:14:34
I am afraid the banjo contest winner would just fall into the familiar pageant downward spiral.
One year of fame, glory and adoration. Next.....the rumers start that some of the parts are not original.
Then pictures surface from a risque photo shoot in an old Janet Davis catalogue.
The banjo is seen at a festival lying next to a Squared Eel. Out of it's case....without a strap.
It gets caught up in the night life and is spotted in smoke filled bar playing "dixieland"
Next thing you know, it's being interviewed by Opra. Trying to justify its addiction to Bridge Swapping!
No , No.... no contest. Let's not corrupt the simple beauty and soul that is a part of all of us..........the humble delicate banjo.
{Cue up music from "Gone With The Wind"}
{Pan Camera 3}
(Fade to black)
The Old Timer - Posted - 09/23/2009: 06:53:48
Well, I think it would be GREAT to have 10 Earl Scruggs Standards lined up to pick the prettiest one. That would be mostly influenced by the resonator wood I'm guessing, and why shouldn't that be a criterion? As we all comment on 'specially beautiful wood when we see it!
Would it be like a dog show, where dogs only compete against their own breed until the very end?
The prettiest Earl Scruggs Standard might have a heck of a time competing with an original 1920s Granada with that drop-dead curly maple and soft gold. Some of those old things will knock your eyes out.
I would have to recuse myself from judging the original TB 5 DeLuxes, my personal vote for most beautifully designed and executed. Probably the 1925 variant with the Christmas bindings.
Maye we could do the contest based on just catalog photos, no points deducted for wear, none added for "character" or "patina".
So may ways to do this... all bound to start a fight.
The Old Timer.
"Mommy, does Jesus play the banjo?" Huck Paisley (Brad Paisley's little boy) quoted in PEOPLE, Sept. 21, 2009
mike gregory - Posted - 09/23/2009: 07:18:28
"Mommy, does Jesus play the banjo?"
"He does, my dear, quite often, over at the Photoshop."
Mike Greylak - Posted - 09/23/2009: 10:55:17
Mike's spongebob square banjo?
RB5 - Posted - 09/26/2009: 22:03:59
Oh guy's! we need to get a life!
That's my story and I'm sticking with it!
Robert.
Voyageur - Posted - 09/27/2009: 06:57:50
quote:
Originally posted by mybote
I am afraid the banjo contest winner would just fall into the familiar pageant downward spiral.
One year of fame, glory and adoration. Next.....the rumers start that some of the parts are not original.
Then pictures surface from a risque photo shoot in an old Janet Davis catalogue.
The banjo is seen at a festival lying next to a Squared Eel. Out of it's case....without a strap.
It gets caught up in the night life and is spotted in smoke filled bar playing "dixieland"
Next thing you know, it's being interviewed by Opra. Trying to justify its addiction to Bridge Swapping!
No , No.... no contest. Let's not corrupt the simple beauty and soul that is a part of all of us..........the humble delicate banjo.
{Cue up music from "Gone With The Wind"}
{Pan Camera 3}
(Fade to black)
Absolutely hilarious and brilliant! "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
wrangler - Posted - 09/27/2009: 07:23:13
If we cannot agree on how to run a contest of beauty, how in the world can we agree on the most beautiful?
Mike
To peace, happiness, banjos that stay in tune and people likewise
Max Banjer - Posted - 09/27/2009: 09:17:08
mybote, you took the prize on this one!
RB5 - Posted - 09/27/2009: 09:26:43
I noticed in one of GRich's post where he shows all the different intricate inlay work that had been done on the old Gibson's and in one picture frame was this beautiful half dressed brunette holding a guitar and I could not believe it but all the next post were about the guitar and the banjo's. No mention or comments about this drop dead girl displaying the guitar. Is there something wrong with this picture guy's. And now a beauty contest for BANJO"S!!!!!!!!!
That's my story and I'm sticking with it!
Robert.
Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/27/2009: 15:44:42
Beautiful banjos: Kevin Enoch's; Glenn Carson's; for more a more modern approach, Jason Romero; for sheer gaudiness and technical virtuosity: Doug Unger and Renee Karnes.
Bill
mybote - Posted - 09/27/2009: 16:06:11
Max and Voyageur.
Thanks.
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