jeremy blankenship - Posted - 11/16/2009:  13:56:23

Ok heres something to get hijacked ...... I got a new old banjo a couple weeks ago. Ive been playing it non stop. Well the new factor has started to wear off. The night before last I pulled out my main banjo. After I started playing it I kinda felt like I was being reunited with an old friend. I know thats weird but its true. I spent hours playing it and kept thinking that its funny how even though i love all my instruments that one just feels right and sounds right. So heres my question. If you have more than one banjo or have had more than one banjo, have you had one that just seemed like THE ONE? If you do lets here about it. My favorites are listed below in order.

#1 hatfield special #26
#2 papaws 68 gibson bowtie
#3 1954 rb100 conversion bowtie



banjos from the past honorable mention would have to be my huber lancaster!


Jeremy

Hatfield Special #26
shut up and pick!!!

SoggyBottom - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:04:32

1) Vega #2 (Deering)
2) Vega senator (1927 Lil’ Wonder pot with new neck)
3) Walnut Special (home made)

Honorable Mention-Gold Tone WL 250


SoggyBottom

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:10:51

The Essex Concert Grand at left. By a tad over the virtually identical Essex Special XX.

Bill

steve davis - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:16:56

I've upgraded about once every ten years and each time the new one
was my favorite.I got a 2 converted in '99 and that one is "the one"
that needs no upgrading.It's really the only banjo I need,but then a buddy of mine asked me if I had any use for an old 5/4 walnut board and I
took that board to Jimmy Cox and had him build me a walnut rim/neck/res
flathead that also don't need any upgrading.
I'm set for life,now.

Catching Second - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:25:35

I ain't got but 2 banjos, but I'll list another in there that I enjoy to play every chance I can get.


#1 Gibson TB00 conversion
#2 Jeremy's Hatfield Special
#3 1970's Harmony - actually have it sounding and playing decent

Ricky
Gibson TB-00 conversion

Ronnie - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:30:50

My 1965 Scruggs Vega. I think we know what to expect from each other. We have been together a long time.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

jason holgate - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:36:02

1928 gibson granada-1

1979 goldstar gf 100-2

1964 vega earl scruggs-3

now i had a 1925 tb 3 ball bearing that if i had it would rank 2nd but i do love the goldstar

1four5 - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:48:38

My Helix open back took over the day I put it together. Behind that are my Goodtime next and then Calico

Dean

Edited by - 1four5 on 11/16/2009 15:09:15

Harry - Posted - 11/16/2009:  14:52:46

No. 1 The Liberty Quadrille I had, fitted like a glove.
No. 2 A Wildwood I sold for whatever reason.
No. 3 A Prucha I played some 20+years ago when the name Prucha didn't mean a thing.

I don't really like the question, it makes me feel like a stupid old fool

jeremy blankenship - Posted - 11/16/2009:  15:04:22

harry im sure theres gonna be several regret banjos listed. I know how it is when you sell and instrument that ya wish you hadnt. Hope you get another one that fits right.

Hatfield Special #26
shut up and pick!!!

jeremy blankenship - Posted - 11/16/2009:  15:05:20

harry im sure theres gonna be several regret banjos listed. I know how it is when you sell and instrument that ya wish you hadnt. Hope you get another one that fits right.

Hatfield Special #26
shut up and pick!!!

Studebaker Hawk - Posted - 11/16/2009:  15:11:22

That '33 original RB-3 flathead that resides in my study seems to agree with me more than any other banjo I've owned or played (okay, OKAY, IT'S ONLY WISHFULL THINKING!).

At any rate, my old '82 Stelling Whitestar seems to suit me best. And I even like the way it looks, too!

Too many others have slipped in and out of my hands in the past 35 years to really rate here, but I did own an old Fender Artist that really had 'it' in the sound department... and others seemed to think so also. It was one of the dumbest things I did when I sold that banjo... that thing was da bomb.

--Dean

Tim-mater - Posted - 11/16/2009:  17:22:25

On any given day my Sullivan Greenbrier, my Nechville Meteor,and the banjo my dad made for me swap places for #1... Just depends on the mood.

Ronnie: I have played a few Scruggs model Vega banjos. I have really enjoyed playing them. They have sharp crack like a Vega Whyte Laydie, and a deep pleasant tone like an old RB250. I think they are just a great Blue Grass instrument.

mrbook - Posted - 11/16/2009:  19:40:57

My second banjo doesn't get as much play, but whenever I pull it out I regret not giving it more attention.

Bill

edweber - Posted - 11/16/2009:  20:54:34

My Granada FE is my number one banjo. I set it up to produce a mellower jazz sound for my jazz band, W.J.A.Z. My RB 5 archtop converted to a flathead is my number two banjo. I set it up strictly for bluegrass and it barks like a big dog. I feel most comfortable with the Granada, though, I guess because I'm so used to it. Kinda like an old pair of favorite jeans that are finally broken in. I can actually pull more tone out of it, cleaner notes, and faster licks than my Style 5 or, for that matter any other banjo I've played.

Ed

Regular Guy says, "Nuffs enuff"
www.customscrimshaw.com
Email: edweber@customscrimshaw.com

blugrssmom - Posted - 11/16/2009:  21:46:43

1. My Williams Kenny Ingram
2. My Williams Gold Maple

I almost always play my Ingram but when I get out my Gold Maple banjo I say the same thing, I should get it out and play it more because it's an awesome banjo too.

Raynae Redman.

A banjo can get you through times with no money, but money can't get you through times with no banjo. John Hartford

MYLO - Posted - 11/16/2009:  22:37:01

my Hatfield Buckcreek thats somewhere in Canada now was my special banjer.

" I want it to sound,,,, like a DANG BANJER!!"

vfrbart - Posted - 11/16/2009:  23:27:47

I only have 2 so here goes....
1 Deering Sierra
2 Deering Goodtime

mike gregory - Posted - 11/17/2009:  00:19:56

Don't ask,
Don't tell,
Don't practice.

fiddlebuster - Posted - 11/17/2009:  02:56:44

My Ode D to me is THE one.
I also have my latest aquirement a Washburn b19
I also have a Alvarez Bluegrass Special.

After I got the Washburn I set it up and played it a lot. but when I pulled out my Ode
That was it I hardly touch my other banjos anymore.

The way I see it, the Good Lord made us all, and if we're good enough for him, we ought to be good enough for each other. Jed Clampett

John Allison - Posted - 11/17/2009:  05:35:35

1. Sullivan Greenbrier
2. ODE C
3. Kalamazoo

Froggie
"Courage is Fear that has said its prayers.

Voyageur - Posted - 11/17/2009:  07:09:54

I play my Ome the most, but the George Dobson is a close second. It's just a sweet, fun little banjo. I play my Prust tackhead fretless a bit less often - I have it tuned down to low D and have a limited repertoire on it. But it is fun! Alas, I do not play my first banjo, a Dan Pennington, nearly so much since I got the Ome; in fact, I've been thinking of selling it just because it is such a great, inexpensive beginner banjo. Some new player would love it...but it's hard to give it up...

"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

rjanecek - Posted - 11/17/2009:  07:33:37

whoa boy

Ive had quite a few that I have sampled. Quite a few I wish I could have kept while I kept sampling as well..

Im happy as pie with my Hatfield Special

I miss my 1986 Gold Star Gf 100 HF the most I think. I asked the owner to let me know if he ever wanted to sell it. I had a window open a few times to get it back but timing never worked out..

I miss my Huber, but miss the Stelling Red Fox more

For open backs, I have 6. I play each every day. But I reach for my two Brooks mastens and my Cedar Mountain more I think than the others, but the others get played as well..

I plan to sell a few open backs to get another Stelling, I wont make a mistake by selling the Hatfield

God Bless America

Rick

RatLer - Posted - 11/17/2009:  10:16:40

My new Austin Elite Pro (AU977) and I get along just fine.

RatLer

Hedge Hog - Posted - 11/17/2009:  12:52:39

I've only got two, well I've got three but the third is in pieces in the middle of some work. Have you ever had a banjo that you truly want to love the most and one your not so proud of actually loving? Both play similarly, but one just feels right. I've got an OME Juniper Megatone and a Goldstar GF85, guess which one "just feels right". Oh dear lord in these trying echenomic times, please forgive me for my sin......

MJM
___________________________________________________________________________
I love the snap of a finger pick comming off a string.

- open the window and let the angels in ............

- Side burns a little long,
- A Redman hat and a country song on AM radio,
- In a pickup truck behind the cows
- Drivin' them to pasture, how I miss it so
- Seated to the right hand of a hard workin' man
- Our backs against the border everyday.........
Farm of yesterday, the gibson Brothers

Edited by - Hedge Hog on 11/17/2009 12:54:17

Douch - Posted - 11/17/2009:  12:57:55

My Golden Era is a dream but that's followed closely by my Jens Kruger Walnut. Both amazing beyond belief.

jeremy blankenship - Posted - 11/17/2009:  13:16:09

See this is what im talking about!!!!! I find it really interesting that so many folks can chime in and everyone has a different response for the most part. The expected response was---- " I love my gibson" or " I love my whatever" and then it becoming Well your --- is good but my ---- is better kinda thing. Glad this has worked. Keep the replys coming. Ive actually been surprised and had to look into some of the banjos mentioned. Some Ive never even heard of. Thats the awsome part. I think its amazing that a person can get so attached to an instrument. Im guilty for sure.

Jeremy

Hatfield Special #26
shut up and pick!!!

The Old Timer - Posted - 11/17/2009:  15:46:48

Maybe I'm the odd man out, I have 6 banjos now, and I love 'em all. 4 Mastertones old and new, a VEGA Scruggs and an old Vega #3 Tubaphone.

I will say I haven't been able to "master" the Vega #3 yet, because I'm "trying" to play old time music on it, and my old time playing isn't that good. Plus, it feels completely different from all the others, so there's an awkward factor. But because it's lighter in weight, it's one I take out of the case fairly often.

They're all different, and that's why I bought 'em! I value the diversity I guess, although having just two brands, I guess I'm not THAT much into diversity. I don't play any of them enough any more. The oldest one is the 26 Granada I got back in 1978, and it's an old friend and a THUNDERINGLY great banjo with the Cox flat head ring in it. I should play it more, it served me well as my only banjo for about 15 years. I can say without reservation it's the best all-around value (purchase price) of all my bluegrass banjos! When I take it out of the case to play it I'm not overwhelmed with nostalgia, I know exactly what this banjo will do and what it's good for, and I guess I'm just reassured it's still got it.

I tend to play the latest purchase the most, I guess.

The Old Timer

"Ah, my native village ... soft music ...the happy peoples sitting on their balalaikas, playing their samovars..." Daffy Duck in "Book Review"

Edited by - The Old Timer on 11/17/2009 15:48:47

Ks_5-picker - Posted - 11/17/2009:  15:52:44

I've got a Kel Kroydon with a walnut Leo Posch neck and a AMB Nasa ring that is my "go to" banjo now.
Next is a '26 ball bearing pot with Posch mahogany neck and cox resonator.
Third is a Helix rimmed parts banjo that I keep tuned to E,it's so much fun.
I've sold a few over the years,but none that I am pining to have back.

Rod

Here's some music you might enjoy.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/roddurst

http://tinychat.com/banjolounge Come on in an enjoy!

O.D. - Posted - 11/17/2009:  16:11:10

Number 1 is my parts conglomoration Gibson imposter.( with Tpass #1 rim)
number 2 is my Mitch Tone Ring Mate banjo ( previously owned and operated by Joey Cox).
Some days they are in different order, both are outstanding banjo's.
Easily the best Ive owned so far.
Regards, O.D.

www.oxforddepot.net
www.cdbaby.com/cd/edackerly

bnjojo62 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  08:07:53

I just kinda let my feelings at the moment tell me which one to play. I've built five and bought five and reworked some of the ones I bought. I really like 'em all.

ll chronicles, 7-14

Catman - Posted - 11/18/2009:  12:29:34

My Stelling Red Fox is my favorite by far but I will have to say that the Fender Artist I purchased less than a year ago is a great sounding banjo with plenty of punch that's alot of fun to play.

banjokid1 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  17:53:18

I like my "throw together" that I bought off a long time friend:

'30s Epiphone rim, Ryan tone ring, Gibson factory 2nd RB-18 neck, Kulesh top tension kit, Kenny Sherrod style 7 resonator, and left over tuning machines from a '30s archtop.
It just has "That sound".

banjokid1 - Posted - 11/19/2009:  17:54:24

I like my "throw together" that I bought off a long time friend:

'30s Epiphone rim, Ryan tone ring, Gibson factory 2nd RB-18 neck, Kulesh top tension kit, Kenny Sherrod style 7 resonator, and left over tuning machines from a '30s archtop.
It just has "That sound".

5steve - Posted - 11/20/2009:  03:56:03

When I pick I play my only resonator banjo , an old Stewart Macdonald with all of its battle scars. For Frailing in spite of having some botter instruments I usually end up playing this old mutt of a banjo that by all conventional banjo wisdom should sound terrible ( maybe it does) It has what looks to be an old Buckbee neck coupled to a steel or iron hoop homemade by someone a long long time ago, no co rods or dowel stick just a bolt. I paid $ 10.00 for it and it gets played more than anything else go figure. Steve

mybote - Posted - 11/20/2009:  06:51:00

1st.....Crafters of Tennessee Maple Classic
2nd....Gibson rb250
3rd......Goldtone OB250 Archtop

I owned the Goldtone first and was supposed to sell it to help finance the Gibson, but didn't.......Then again to finance to Crafters, but didn't. It would be like getting rid of your favorite pair of Levi Jeans.

banjoplyr. - Posted - 11/20/2009:  12:48:07

1st 1936 Gibson conversion
2nd 1968 Fender artist
3rd 1900's lyon and Healy open back5 string...I gave to my Grandsons to play