Inca73 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  13:37:31

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I'm new. I have always want to try and play the Banjo. Two Banjo's are for sale and in my price range and in driving range to pick them up. I was wondering what one if any should I buy? One is a 5 string Austin Banjo with case. The other is a Global Banjo 5 string with case. I'm leaning towards the Global but, want to hear from people who know more about Banjo's then I.

Thanks,
Spencer

Surveyor - Posted - 11/14/2009:  13:45:40

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Play them both and let your fingers do the talking. I am not familiar with either. Just see how they feel and sound and go from there. Good luck.

Mr. B

Wind me up and watch me go!

BC Bill - Posted - 11/14/2009:  13:58:52

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If possible, find an experienced, knowledgeable player and take them with you to evaluate the banjos. Let them play both and help you make your decision. I know when I bought my first banjo, I was not qualified to make an intelligent, informed choice. I got help from a player that I knew.

Bill

email me at lakesidestudio@shaw.ca

dmiller - Posted - 11/14/2009:  14:15:04

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quote:

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Originally posted by Surveyor

Play them both and let your fingers do the talking. I am not familiar with either. Just see how they feel and sound and go from there. Good luck.

Mr. B

Wind me up and watch me go!

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quote:

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Originally posted by BC Bill

If possible, find an experienced, knowledgeable player and take them with you to evaluate the banjos. Let them play both and help you make your decision. I know when I bought my first banjo, I was not qualified to make an intelligent, informed choice. I got help from a player that I knew.

Bill

email me at lakesidestudio@shaw.ca

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Both are excellent suggestions!! Besides that, you are in the "enviable" position of being able to hear both banjos side by side which (for many of us) doesn't happen as often as we would like for it to when choosing between two banjos. If you're "really" new to banjo picking, Bill's suggestion makes a lot of sense. Get someone who can tell you the pros and cons of each/ listen to the sound as they pick them/ and go from there.

By the way - - - I see you're in MN. Anywhere near Duluth?? If you are, perhaps I could help, eh?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jim D - Posted - 11/14/2009:  14:32:47

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You know, I fully understand your wanting some assurance before you buy one or the other, but there's some decisions to be made on your part (and then communicated) before you get an answer of the accuracy you want:

- what type of banjo music do you want to play?
-- bluegrass
-- old time
-- celtic
-- jazz
-- minstrel
-- classical
-- other

Each choice will indicate a type of banjo you should look at. There is a bit of a "one size fits all" characteristic, you can use one banjo for everything, but it's more of "it'll do for all" than a best fit. Tell us what you want to do!

I suspect that both the banjos you mention are Asian made entry level... there's nothing inherently wrong with that... but that often means that the manufactureres were trying to get to a low price target and cut corners. For instance, such banjos often have low quality "guitar tuners" that will make keeping your banjo in tune a constant task. As you can't be expected to know all this when you're just starting out, taking someone along with you is the smart thing to do.

I hope that makes sense.. and, welcome to the banjo world!







Jim
Linwood, N.C.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/14/2009:  14:33:16

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Both are inexpensive Asian banjos that should serve for learning. Neither will sound great. You should choose on the basis of playing ease, how the tuners work and your impression of sturdiness. If one has an aluminum rim, I'd go for the wood one. You may find the banjos are identical with different names.

Bill

Inca73 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  14:41:08

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Thank you for all the info.
Sorry, I live near Minneapolis. Otherwise having you come along would have been GREAT!
Thanks,
Spencer

BenE - Posted - 11/14/2009:  16:11:34

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Here in the Hangout, there is a member's review of the Austin (model AU 977). He gave it a 9 out of 10 and suggested it was a good beginners instrument. The review is here:

http://www.banjohangout.org/reviews...5&redir=true

There are no Globals among the reviews. That really doesn't mean much. There are a lot of Asian-made banjos that are indenticle except for the name.




Ben E.
Québec QC
Canada

Inca73 - Posted - 11/15/2009:  06:18:00

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Ok,
Thanks again for all the info. and the link.

Spencer

Helix - Posted - 11/15/2009:  15:18:24

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I am an assertive custom builder, just to keep the context. You want to play.

I will gladly do a short and painless layaway for you so you can get a playable banjo, it's not much more money, but the difference in quality is severe.

I build the banjos I play myself.

Welcome to the hangout, I work with a lot of young musicians, please look at my new website and I hope you'll contact me. I can really help.


Dude, people made those other 'banjos' with their hands, and I respect that, but the manufacturers constrict any SOUL or CARE.

Bill Rogers up above, always is a straight arrow, he answered your questions.

Welcome to the hangout, hope you succeed.

http://www.helixbanjos.com
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