bufford - Posted - 09/17/2007:  23:22:39

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HI!

I just got back from Winfield and with it I got a gift of an old (don't know how old - previous owner had for 10 years at least) banjo. Thing is, I don't know anything about this clunker. The brand on the headstock is "Global," but all I can find about this company is that the banjos are manufactured in Korea, which is funny because it has a big gold eagle emblem on the back holding american flags. the finish is a nice cherry color.

Anyone that could provide me any info on this banjo would be a great help. It's really loud with a nice heavy body. I don't think it's necessarily a collector's item or anything, but I'd like to know more about it.

Oh, and don't worry about breaking my spirit's... was last purchased for $8.00 and it was free to me.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/17/2007:  23:28:16

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You've got about all that's available. No one wants to spend research time on clunky Asian banjos. About all you could hope to find is the name of the importer who used the Global name and then perhaps you could find out which facotry made it. Hardly worth the effort.

Bill

bufford - Posted - 09/17/2007:  23:47:29

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Thanks, I know it's not very valuable. I was just curious as to wether or not someone on here may have run across one or even played one at some point and if they had what they knew or thought about it.

Ronnie - Posted - 09/18/2007:  00:24:58

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Certainly wouldn't command much of a premium if you offered it for sale, but Hey, it's a banjo. It has a voice and a soul. enjoy!!

http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/rules.asp

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

bufford - Posted - 09/18/2007:  00:47:11

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I intend to! My wife and I love playing music together and I can't wait to introduce the banjo... We're not interested in sellng it or knowing its value as much as what its positive and negative traits might be. Guess I'm just anxious - it's mine, the pros and cons will come to me through experience soon enough i hope. Still, if anyone has anything on global you could point me to, I'd love it. If not, it'll have to remain a mystery I guess.

savzac - Posted - 09/18/2007:  00:50:49

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And you should have a pretty unique instrument!

RK-80 #27

howbah - Posted - 09/18/2007:  05:26:03

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quote:

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Originally posted by bufford

HI!

I just got back from Winfield and with it I got a gift of an old (don't know how old - previous owner had for 10 years at least) banjo. Thing is, I don't know anything about this clunker. The brand on the headstock is "Global," but all I can find about this company is that the banjos are manufactured in Korea, which is funny because it has a big gold eagle emblem on the back holding american flags. the finish is a nice cherry color.

Anyone that could provide me any info on this banjo would be a great help. It's really loud with a nice heavy body. I don't think it's necessarily a collector's item or anything, but I'd like to know more about it.

Oh, and don't worry about breaking my spirit's... was last purchased for $8.00 and it was free to me.

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if you go to the "links" area & then to the "free online lessons", "Paul Hawthorne's Banjo Conservatory" has what looks to be a pretty in-depth reference section on Asian Banjos. Might be something there.

John Allison - Posted - 09/18/2007:  09:08:41

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Hey Bufford,
I got one of those Banjos. They are in fact a Korean manufacture. They look fairly good, have an aluminum flange, and are quite light weight. Global is kind of a clearing house name or distributor. Thus the name Global applies to the distributor not the manufacturer. They are somewhat tinny sounding and $125 is probably a fair price for one in good/excellent condition. The set up is critical to tonal quality. Like I said, I have one that I keep on my boat. If it gets beat up, I really do not care or if the effects of temperature and humidity tear it up, no big loss.

Froggie