hayesdt - Posted - 10/28/2011:  19:48:03

I don't live in an area where I can readily play and try out Mike Ramsey Chanterelle banjos.   I've only seen and played one at a nearby dealer in the past year or so.   I'm just wondering if anyone can offer any insight or observations about tone / volume / other comparisons between his 12" Student, Standard, and Special models.  Obviously, there are some cosmetic and visible differences.  But they would seem to share the following features:  5/16" rolled brass tone ring; planetary tuners; scoop; Renaissance head; no-knot tailpiece; 25.75" scale length; bone nut, etc. 

In a 12" head model, would I be able to hear much tone / volume / other differences between these models?

And how would any of the above compare tone- and volume-wise with the 12" Woody model?

josephefortner - Posted - 10/29/2011:  02:37:29

the plain answer is no. (other than the woody). Its basically how much you would rather have inlays than a star and dots. The woody does have a different tone than the other production models. I personally love it. Its not as loud as the rolled brass, but it has a nice earthy, and quite plunky tone. there are others who will add to this I hope.
Best of luck and buy one as soon as you can find it. I dont regret it, one bit .

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 10/29/2011:  02:55:08

It appears you are maybe 30 minutes from Bernunzio in Rochester, NY.

bernunzio.com/

If that is accurate, then you are near the center of the universe for banjos. 

John Bernunzio might have some of Mike Ramsey's work somewhere in his banjo empire.

hayesdt - Posted - 10/29/2011:  04:34:12

The one that I have played was a used Special model, I believe, at Bernunzio's, and I should have bought it three weeks ago when I had the chance.  Could kick myself; it's gone now.  Great store.

f#dead - Posted - 10/29/2011:  07:30:32

I owned a Ramsey Student banjo.  Mine was set up w/ the Renaissance head.   The pot of the student is thin.  It's almost like a grain seive frame.  The 12" Renaissance head and thin wall pot made it sound crisp and tight.  The lows had a deep short growl w/ little sustain and the highs were tight and bellish.  

Elderly has a frettless one w/ fiberskin head.  elderly.com/new_instruments/it...112FL.htm  IMHO the Renaissance is better.  You can see from the pictures that the pot is whisper thin.  Mine was well crafted and was a pleasure to play.

banjered - Posted - 10/29/2011:  07:42:14

Mike Ramsy's banjos are generally known for their solid sound, playability and good mojo. However for some reason that I have never been able to figure out why, he often makes the neck so narrow at the fifth fret that it makes for a reduced space between the fifth and fourth string. That usually doesn't present a problem...until you put a capo on the second fret and play in the keys of A and D. Then the 7th fret becomes the fifth fret and when you try to fret the fourth string your left hand fretting fingers bump up against the fifth string thereby muting it. I've gotten rid of two of his banjos for this reason. I still am looking to get one of his banjos that doesn't have the above feature. Another thing, I wish he's put the fifth tuner closer to the fourth fret wire so that I can put a capo  at the fifth fret which I sometimes do in a jam situation where keys change a lot.  Otherwise, for me, a great banjo. Banjered

The Old Timer - Posted - 10/29/2011:  08:11:25

Ramsey's banjos do come in maple, cherry and mahogany, so there may be a difference in sound depending on which wood is used. I suppose. I think the one at Elderly is an Ohio-period cherry. I bought an Appamatox-period 12" Special in lovely curly maple from a BHO seller and I like it very very much.

I don't know if the Ramsey aficianados consider any significant difference between the Lebanon Ohio, Appamatox VA and Pittsboro NC eras.

You can check The Music Emporium website in Lexington Mass., they try to keep these banjos in stock, but there is often a long wait replacing one when it's sold!

There is an extremely nice new 12" "custom" Special with a thicker rim at Fretted Instrument Workshop in Amherst MA, although last time I looked it wasn't on their website for some reason, but you could certainly call and speak to them about it. I believe it is dark stained maple. Seems to me it has one or two extra inlays perhaps. A fretted model. I passed on it because it had a thicker rim, and a high (to me) price.