Cstar - Posted - 11/16/2009:  12:48:23

My wife bought her first banjo (Goodtime) from the Deering display at the Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield KS last summer. She practices about ten hours a week and is taking lessons (bluegrass). I have every reason to think she will keep with it. She is an accomplished hammer dulcimer player and plays at mandolin and piano.

I would like to get her a better banjo. I play guitar and have Martin, Taylor, Fender and Rickenbacker's and feel she would benefit from an upgrade.

We have been checking out Deering, Stelling and Huber banjos but I am overwhelmed by the large number of models, levels of ornamentation and claims of tonal superiority by all the manufactures.

What would be a top three makers you would suggest we consider and what models should we look at? Her musical taste varies from fiddle tunes to more modern country and now bluegrass.

I know this is very subjective but we are new enough at this to benefit from the variety of answers I expect.

Corky

Edited by - Cstar on 11/16/2009 20:40:37

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/16/2009:  12:59:56

The three you've listed are all great choices if your pocketbook agrees. Others can comment (and will) on tonal differences. Generally, the Hubers are considered the most representative of traditional fine bluegrass banjos of the three makers you mention. The differences in the pro-level banjos are mainly in decoration. Different woods have some effect too. If you handed me a blank check to spend on one of those brands, I'd choose a Huber, though I can't say offhand which model. That's a matter of taste though--your wife's likely differs from mine. Patience and analysis of the answers you'll get here will serve you well. You'll also hear from folks who'll tell you to buy this or that banjo from one of the smaller individual makers. Those will be fine banjos too, but most, if not all, replicate the old Gibsons. I think Huber does best at that, though others won't. Good luck!



Bill

Bradskey - Posted - 11/16/2009:  13:24:21

When I think of picking fiddle tunes I tend to think of Stelling, probably because I like Alan Munde. Stellings have created an excellent sound all their own, with variations. Huber is like the refined pinnacle of recreating pre-war Gibsons and that old flathead sound. Or you could stick with all the fine offerings from Deering. And there are so many others, but you've got enough options right there to please almost anybody already. Gosh, what a dilemma to have!

Helix - Posted - 11/17/2009:  06:51:41

I suggest a Cherry or Black Walnut rim, they give the highs, but reside more in mid-range and bass which usually gets lost with a 4 pound tone ring looking for sustain.

For way less money and way more value, I suggest other custom builders such as myself. Why?

Because many of the big makers and factory people have forgotten where they started. Just an observation, I smell ozone.

So it's easy to compete with that. Just make better music a different way, and listen to the difference. It ain't just your ears, it's your heart asking you to grow.

Play on.
Enjoy your tour of our website. Thanks


http://www.helixbanjos.com
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Janet Deering - Posted - 11/17/2009:  07:08:26

Corky,

You are a wonderful husband to want to get your wife a new banjo. She made a great choice starting on a Goodtime banjo and to expand on that you would be wise to stick with a Deering. Not only because I'm Janet Deering, but because she has become familiar with the comfort and ease of a Deering neck shape. She is succeeding in part because the Deering neck is completely accurate and professionally made so that a person is inspired to continue to play.

Being a woman myself I am aware that one factor in the choice of a banjo is going to be the weight. A professional grade banjo with a metal tonering is going to weigh 11 lbs or more.

You would be wise to buy her a Hartford pop on model because she is playing both bluegrass and fiddle tunes. This banjo is not only light weight being 8 lbs with the resonator, but she can remove the resonator and also play it openback.

You can actually custom order any model in this configuration - so choose your price range from the Sierra up the line and you can order that model built with a Hartford Tonering and Pop-On Resonator to get the same benefits.

You can call Carolina Bridges at the factory for advice 800-845-7791 or visit our website at www.deeringbanjos.com

We will be happy to answer all your questions and let you know the nearest dealer.

Janet

Edited by - Janet Deering on 11/17/2009 07:11:03

Cstar - Posted - 11/19/2009:  21:09:58

After much discussion and searching we purchased a new Deering Calico. Advice from Janet and Carolina was a valued resource and added to the comfort of our decision.

Janet we did get to play a Calico and Hartford side by side and my wife chose the Calico, even with the extra weight. She did not feel that would be an issue.

I certainly hope she made a good choice. After all you showed your remakable grasp of reality when you opined that I must be "a wonderful husband " so I wonder why she would ever question your judgement about anything!

Corky

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/20/2009:  18:25:17

Deering makes great banjos, proving that a company (though one with small-shop roots) can indeed make finely crafted instruments. I've admired the work on every Deering I've tried.