Wayfaring Stranger 1980 - Posted - 11/06/2021:  07:35:42

After months of studying the guitar, I got irritated by my lack of progress and finally picked up the Deering Goodtime II I'd purchased on a whim the year before. And the banjer bug bit me hard. I've since purchased a Goodtime Americana openback, and I'm studying both Scruggs style picking and clawhammer (with Wayne Erbsens excellent book!)

I'm already thinking ahead to my next ill-advised buy. When it comes time to upgrade, should I get a resonator banjo or and open back? I find myself liking old time more and more. There is something refreshing, intimate and simple about an instrument I can play anywhere, anytime, without picks.

Anyone else feel an inclination to stick to one style or the other?

chip arnold - Posted - 11/06/2021:  07:48:36

You choose what you like best. Same goes for type of tone ring, no tone ring, scale length, neck and pot wood, etc. Lots and lots of the dead guys played Old Time on resonator banjos as do many OT players today. Some of the Old Time police still think that's illegal, but they don't know history :-)

banjered - Posted - 11/06/2021:  08:43:23

Yep, Chip is right, follow your muse. I am prejudiced to open backs and clawhammer. Lighter banjo and while Bluegrass is primarily BAND music, CH is both band and solo. I find BG too busy for my tastes but some live for no other, viva la variety! For many the Americana is all the banjo you'll ever need. An upgrade from there really depends upon your needs and preferences. More money doesn't necessarily translate into a better playing and sounding banjo. After 30 years of playing, I am still refining my preferences as I suspect many others are, a non-ending quest. Best wishes on your search! banjered

fredwilton - Posted - 11/06/2021:  09:38:26

I love my open back banjo, but do not rule out resonators if you play clawhammer. String Bean and Grandpa Jones were clawhammer players who played nothing but resonator banjos. Uncle Dave Macon would play a resonator from time to time, etc. They are great when you need it LOUD and twangy. The Goodtime Special sounds awesome and you can REMOVE THE RESONATOR if you want to to make it an open back. I darn near bought one on the spot when I played it at Deering's showroom...if I only had the cash.

deeringbanjos.com/collections/...ial-banjo

GrahamHawker - Posted - 11/06/2021:  10:07:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wayfaring Stranger 1980

When it comes time to upgrade, should I get a resonator banjo or and open back?

---

You'll need about 5 open backs and a similar number of resonators.

I play open backs but that hasn't stopped me buying resonator banjos. I don't do styles I just play the banjo. The key factor I've found in banjo buying is the question - is it a bargain? Perhaps unfortunately a few years ago bargains were plentiful.

banjered - Posted - 11/06/2021:  10:52:48

Stay tuned for the economic collapse when you'll probably be able to trade a can of beans and a roll of toilet paper for a banjo. OK, maybe THREE cans of beans.... banjered

Wayfaring Stranger 1980 - Posted - 11/06/2021:  15:39:10

Very true.  I think the hateur is a little silly, the OT police, as you call them.  The same sort of attitudes met Dylan when he decided to go electric.  As for the banjo, I love both styles.  Personally, I don't like CH as much on a resonator banjo.  But I've discovered the hard way that learning both styles at once is cramping my...well...my style.  So I'm putting down the bluegrass banjo for a while and sticking with my open-back.

---

Originally posted by chip arnold

You choose what you like best. Same goes for type of tone ring, no tone ring, scale length, neck and pot wood, etc. Lots and lots of the dead guys played Old Time on resonator banjos as do many OT players today. Some of the Old Time police still think that's illegal, but they don't know history :-)

---

Wayfaring Stranger 1980 - Posted - 11/06/2021:  15:41:26

:

My long game is to save up my bean cans, hammer them out, and build my own banjo.  If it can be done with a shovel, why not a Van Camps Beanjo?

Originally posted by banjered

Stay tuned for the economic collapse when you'll probably be able to trade a can of beans and a roll of toilet paper for a banjo. OK, maybe THREE cans of beans.... banjered

---

Banner Blue - Posted - 11/06/2021:  15:45:07

Banjos with individual flanges (one flange per tension hook) can be converted back and forth from open back to resonator quite easily. Just remove or replace the individual flanges.