grantus - Posted - 11/20/2009:  06:22:27

I can get one of these for £129 or around $200 in your funny money

Is it worthwhile for a total beginner?

Thanks

scruggsfan - Posted - 11/20/2009:  06:39:34

Just my opinion, but I would definitely stick with a full size banjo (I think from your other posts you were looking for a 5 string). It would be the "real" instrument rather than a compressed version, at least while you are learning. Also, travel banjos are also often tuned higher, to C I believe. Is there a reason you're looking at travel banjos?

Ilana

August - Posted - 11/20/2009:  09:51:54

I would get a full size for the first banjo. I bought a Savannah Travel as a second banjo, replaced the bridge, tuners and put on nylgut strings. It tunes to G and sounds ok, particularly with a pair of rolled up socks under the head. The intonation was all over the place tuned to G with steel strings but was ok tuned to A. Once again not something to learn on but fun to fool with. It also fits nicely in the luggage rack of most planes.
-August

banjonz - Posted - 11/20/2009:  12:36:30

I have played a new one here in NZ. You could definitely do better.

grantus - Posted - 11/20/2009:  12:56:22

No real reason - just browsing the music shop during my lunch break today and saw it.

I went to another local store later on and they stock Westfield banjos (Could this be the same firm that make Boston drum kits?) If it is i might be inclined to steer clear as their drum kits weren't too hot.

The logic of the guy in the shop was that Westfield don't make expensive instruments but what they do do is make cheap ones but make them quite well, hence his reason for stocking them. He said he is wary of brands that make high end instruments that also do cheap stuff as he reckons all it is is just the name badge you are paying for. However I learnt with my drums that buying cheap means buying twice and don't want to make the same mistake again. I suppose cheap instruments can be a bit hit and miss. Being a drummer I know that Stagg make some of the best cymbals for the money yet some of their other stuff gets a bit slated by other people.

He also recommended I try a right handed banjo instead of left handed seeing as I was starting from scratch. I do remember reading that Mark Knopfler did this so that his stronger left hand was playing the fretboard but I do have a left handed guitar although I've never learned toplay it. Thing is, holding it left handed feels most natural and right handed just feels alien. It would be interesting to know if anyone else has done this i.e. left handed but learned on a right handed instrument?

I guess i'm a mixed up individual! - I write left handed, I play golf right handed and if I tried left handed I wouldn't even manage a backswing, yet I can only swing a racquet with my left hand or hold a pool cue in the left, and throw a ball with my right.

So, what was the question!?!

Oh yes! You've talked me out of the travel banjo.

I have decided a 5-string is what i'm going to get.

I've decided upon two books - fretboard roadmaps for banjo by Hal leonard and You Can Teach Yourself Banjo by Mel Bay.

Now all I need is a banjo and my gut instinct is telling me to stick to left handed but could there be some sense behind what the guy told me about using a right handed instrument??

Phew, sorry for the ramble.

Cheers!

banjonz - Posted - 11/20/2009:  16:29:50

We have a superb picker here in NZ that is left handed. Back in the 60's when he started to play there were just NO lefty banjos available in NZ...so he learned to play right handed. He has a unique style all his own and is very accomplished.
Do what is comfortable for you to do!