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leedav2002kr - Posted - 09/08/2010: 00:10:46
I want to buy my first banjo, living in Napier NZ is limited; Cort , fender starter pack, Epiphone MB 100, SX . Can anyone advise my best option?
BobbyE - Posted - 09/08/2010: 04:39:12
Not sure of your budget constraints but if you can stomach the customs there should be something available in Australia somewhere. There are several members of the Hangout from Australia and you can do a members serach and then send them a private email to see if they know of any store and what they might have. If you have to go local the Fender or Epiphone is probably better than the Cort but that statement is made on a sight-unseen basis.
Bobby
brunomathilda - Posted - 09/08/2010: 05:34:12
You can all ways try Gold tone banjos,I think they'r everywhere in the world,that would be my first choice of banjo.
There's few members in New Zealand who might be able to help You on the local level.
rob and jenny is one kool guy that I talked with in the recent pass,I'm sure there's something better than the Fender line.
Good luck
brunomathilda - Posted - 09/08/2010: 05:38:35
It's " rob jenny",also "amaslider" is in Australia is also a very fine man.
rob_jenny - Posted - 09/08/2010: 06:34:25
Actually its rob_jenny haha but currently I am out of the country, decent banjos are hard to find, you could also shoot an email to Wayne (banjonz), he has more of a finger on the pulse than me and may know of something going.
Incidently I have a Gold Tone Whyte Laydie for sale, if your interested shoot me an email although I wont be back in unzed till22 October
rob
f#dead - Posted - 09/08/2010: 07:24:33
You'd have to have the patience but that Gold Tone Whyte Laydie that rob_jenny has would be a superior alternative to the Cort, Fender or Epiphone you mentioned.
goldtopia - Posted - 09/08/2010: 09:18:29
Yes, I had a Gold Tone a couple of years ago and wished I had kept it. Although I now have a Fitch banjo I feel that I would like a spare one and am considering the new Gold Tone OB175 made in Korea. What I would really like is a Titan, they are superb banjos but I can't afford it. Value for money - the OB175 is worth taking a look at. You should be able to buy one in New Zealand or Australia.
Bill.O
bluegrassminstrels.co.uk
Edited by - goldtopia on 09/08/2010 09:20:19
jamieholmes - Posted - 09/08/2010: 09:18:55
Hiya and welcome!.
Ditch the Fender and a get yourself a Deering Goodtime instead. That is where you get the most banjo for the smallset dollar (imo). I got a Bart Reiter banjo now and I still miss the lightness and fun of my first Goodtime. Plus you can get the Goodtime in several diffrent versions now depending on what you like.
Hope to see you here when you get you new banjo. :)
Cheers
Jamie.
Edited by - jamieholmes on 09/08/2010 09:20:10
brunomathilda - Posted - 09/08/2010: 11:37:38
I can't stand the look of the good time,yuckkk,might sound good but that peg head makes me dizzy.
banjonz - Posted - 09/08/2010: 12:03:32
Hi David, welcome aboard! The brands you mentioned are all OK for starter banjos, provided they are setup correctly. I think from memory you have maybe one of two music stores in Napier but it has been a while. Goldtone banjos are not available here. No one is bringing them in and if they do, would be very pricey as are Deering. There is a music shop here in Wellington called 'Alistair's Music' and he has a reasonably good selection of entry level and intermediate banjos, most of which I have played and setup. If you want more info on them, drop me line through the forum. Only happy to help.
Wayne
dixie kiwi - Posted - 09/08/2010: 12:48:24
Wayne is the Kiwi expert on this subject, so his advice is gold.
You won't find anything up in Auckland either. I've been contacted by a Hangout member up near Leigh/Pakari Beach who has a Nechville he might be willing to sell- at least you can try that one before purchasing blind. I'm planning to cruise up to check that out soon. Contact me vis mssg if you want his contact details.
Also, keep an eye on TradeMe- I got my Goodtime off that, although I have only seen 1 or 2 in the past three years posted there.
If you know what you want, I'd look for a good deal thru a member here and get it shipped as kiwi dollar is not too bad at the moment against greenback. I've gotten a Gibson and a Ramsey over here that way w/out problem but not all sellers will take the risk/trouble to ship abroad.
Alan Hill - Posted - 09/08/2010: 12:52:40
Australia is thin on the ground for decent banjos ime sure its even harder in New Zealand its worth looking at ebay or second hand music shops, that goldtone white lady would be well worth a look if you can wait till october
leedav2002kr - Posted - 09/08/2010: 15:08:33
Thanks everyone for your time and advice, I will keep you updated on developments.
hexx - Posted - 09/09/2010: 03:05:41
As already said, so very many to choose from, a 'Goodtime' could be a fair choice, many start with one of these ...Here is a link to the 'Acoustic centre' in Australia - Victotria 206 Park St Sth Melbourne
they sometimes sell used Banjos at a fair price, if you haven't already checked it out, here is a direct link to their page: acousticcentre.com.au/index.ph...9531-4434
..maybe good idea to email them they could do a deal for a first time buyer who is interested in playing Banjo - Good Luck.
goldtopia - Posted - 09/09/2010: 03:43:37
I think I read somewhere of banjos made in Brisbain, Australia made of Eucalyptus. They have quite a good reputation. Why not try them ? (Koala bears are not included with the banjo) I think they have a website. You can even buy pick pouches made from cane toads which the Australian government want like to eradicate.
Bill.O
bluegrassminstrels.co.uk
Edited by - goldtopia on 09/09/2010 03:44:09
Alan Hill - Posted - 09/09/2010: 13:09:42
Are you thinking og eucalypt banjos of Queensland
then look up banjoz.com
banjonz - Posted - 09/09/2010: 18:25:04
quote:
Originally posted by leedav2002kr
Check this on ebay from Taiwan
cgi.ebay.com/5-String-banjo-in...889b1d84d
Dave, those banjos look nice but you need to be careful. Some of the necks that have been made have not been seasoned and have warped within a short space of time. Some folks here have posted about this. I have played a banjo with a neck made in the Vietnamese factory and was really nice. If you are wanting a banjo that you can keep for quite a while my advice would be to try some locally. Contact me through here and let me know your phone number so I can call you. Also, you may not like the sound of it once you get it. I have played some of these imported banjos and to be honest, I have not been impressed. Wayne
Edited by - banjonz on 09/09/2010 18:26:46
jamieholmes - Posted - 09/12/2010: 12:21:03
Please have a look at the Deerings. I don't think you can find a cheeper banjo with more bang in.
deeringbanjos.com/goodtime
Edited by - jamieholmes on 09/12/2010 12:26:10
banjonz - Posted - 09/12/2010: 13:21:57
All the American made banjos mentioned and those others available in the USA are good instruments, but you have forgotten to factor in cost of freight to NZ PLUS soon to be 15% tax (GST). That would put even a entry level instrument beyond the affordability band if one was to import just one banjo.
leedav2002kr - Posted - 09/12/2010: 18:12:49
They have an Epiphone MB200 599NZD in the local shop.
Looks nice;read some good reviews about it and a few negative ones.
It has the bottle top tone ring, the overall look and finish is very nice.
I will have a try on it this week.
Tomward - Posted - 09/12/2010: 18:49:25
If your interest is in bluegrass and you would prefer an instrument above entry level, I have a George Washburn B18, which is a very good Mastertone copy, made in Japan in 1989, for sale. It was my learner banjo and served me very well. My only reason for selling is that I now have a new Deering Eagle II bought on a recent trip to Canada. Email me on rtwsmith@xtra.co.nz if you are interested in the Washburn.
banjonz - Posted - 09/12/2010: 19:49:04
Hi Roger, welcome aboard. The B18 are good banjos provided they are setup correctly (like all banjos).
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