Banjo Hangout - Other Banjo-Related Topics: Clawhammer/Old-Time Forum Feed

Karen Dalton

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:55:09 CST

An album I'll always treasure is In My Own Time, one that I picked up about 35 years ago in a Zeller's bargain bin, with a hole punched through the corner of the cover. I'd never heard of Karen Dalton, but, hey, she played the banjo, so I gave it a shot.

When I took it home and played it, I just loved her voice and would've listened to it constantly, but the woman who was my wife at the time couldn't stand her voice so my listening time was limited to when she wasn't around.

See what you think: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raLXnnlPI_I

VIDEO: Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line - Bike Ride

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:01:51 CST

Here is Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line performing Bike Ride for the WAMU's Bluegrass Country YouTube channel.

That's Joe Overton on the banjo. There are some really cool and bizarre harmonics being played on this performance. In the arrangement it almost sounds like an electronic beat.

Your favorite OT fiddlers @ BHO

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:47:06 CST

There are some really excellent fiddlers among the old time banjo hangout regulars. Here a couple of my favorites, Dan Levenson and Bob Buckingham playing a couple of tunes which my fiddler assigned me to learn. Thanks fellas for these postings! Curious to know who your favorite OT fiddlers are at BHO. Don http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4j3qOKsv_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXuVktDyLSk

Do the majority of you also play guitar?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:55:06 CST

I was just wondering how many of us are JUST banjo players, and how many of us play other instruments. Specifically guitar.

People seemed surprised when they find out I don't play guitar, I mean I know guitar chords, I can strum a few, but I'm no where near proficient enough to even follow along on any basic song.

I find the shapes and switches so difficult on my hands. It may be because I have limited movement in my middle finger due to an injury. But it does not effect me on banjo.

I'd like to learn other instruments in the future, but I dont think i'll ever be a guitar player. I guess its just practice like everything, but I dont feel like I struggled that much with the banjo.

Do any of you feel the same?

Non-Bizarre Behavior at OT Jam

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:38:59 CST

Folks just sit around in a circle. Somebody thinks of a tune and starts playing it. After 2-3 minutes, a foot goes up and everyone stops. A bit of conversation occurs. Then somebody else comes up with a tune, and we do it again.

Has this ever happened to you?

Greenville, SC music scene

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:24:56 CST

I have a trip coming up to Greenville....... are there any music venues/listening rooms/jams up that way.......I'll be there for a mon-thur night.

Lots of banjo here :)

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:29:51 CST

Friday, May 24th, 2013

Stephen Foster State Park

Bob & Mary Z. Cox

White Springs Florida USA

Come join us at the 61st annual Florida Folk Festival on Memorial Day weekend, 2013 !

Here is where we'll be performing :)

Friday, May 25 --Old Marble Stage--4:00 PM

Saturday, May 26--Azalea Stage--11:30 AM

Sunday, May 27--Under the Oaks--4:30 PM

Also will be teaching a mountain dulcimer workshop and leading a jam

Friday, May 25--2:00 PM, workshop I, Stretching with the dulcimer/Mary Z Cox

Saturday May 26--2:00Pm, jam tent, Dulcimer jam with Bob & Mary Z Cox

Hope to see you there--it's great fun :)

This is a huge 3 day festival with about 10 stages, workshops, arts and crafts, cultural exhibits, dancing--

If you love folk music, old time music, delta blues, bluegrass, country music,celtic, Florida cracker music,ethnic music of many varieties--try to come--the food vendors are awesome too :)

Happy BD Taj Mahal!!

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:12:09 CST

I love this guy and all his contributions to the banjo (and for inspiring so many of us to play)!

Many more years to you, Taj!!

Pete Seeger 1947

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:24:52 CST

I came across this on the internet. I can't believe how fast and fluid Seeger was in the day. Good looking guy too.

http://www.folkstreams.net/pub/FilmPage.php?title=257

Galax Virginia Gourd Banjo Making Workshop

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:25:33 CST

Join me in Galax Virginia this July!

Mt. Pleasant, SC players

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:06:48 CST

I hope it is ok to post this in this forum, but are there any players, builders in the Mt. Pleasant, SC area???

Thanks,

Anchorage

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:28:42 CST

So...what's the clawhammer/old time scene like in Anchorage?

New recording from "New Bad Habits"

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:08 CST

"Shades of Death Creek" features Chirps Smith (fiddle) Tim Foss (fiddle) Dave Landreth (banjo) and Andy Gribble (guitar). 18 wonderfully played tunes from what could be considered a Midwestern Old Time super-group. These boys don't mess around - anyone who's had the chance to play with any of them will tell you the same.

I'm not much for new recordings, but this one is tops. Check it out!

-Sean

Tight cluster or wide circle... Your preference for jam sessions?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:13:59 CST

I personally can only play in tight knee to knee clusters, and simply cannot function at all in a big circle jam where there is a large void in the middle of the room of players. But more and more I notice a current trend for regular organized jam sessions to be large wide circles of people. Nobody moves into the middle to fill the void, and if I suggest it, I'm always told "We don't do it that way". So what IS the advantage of the big wide circle with the huge void in the middle?

Old time legendary players you have met?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 12 May 2013 17:53:57 CST

I'm pretty new to old time music. So I'm easily impressed by legends.

But I'm glad to have have met live and in person, and played some tunes:

Big Jim Griffith - He lives in Tucson, and attends some jams and even farmer's market events! Truly a legend.
Curt Bouterse - I was flabbergasted when he contacted me and said he was coming to Tucson. We had a memorable event at my house.
Dan Levenson - He's in Arizona, but not not close to most Arizonans. Best fiddler I've ever met, and I'm always happy to play with him. We get together a few times a year at Arizona fiddler things.
Henry The Fiddler. He's not exactly an old-time guy. But he does it well, and he can play any damn thing your throw at him.

That's it for me. I'm in the West, so all of those east coast festivals are hard to get to.

I'm sure dozens of you can list dozens of big time old time players you've met and played music with.

Anecdotes are welcome!

Clawhammer music similar to Adam Hurt

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:47:54 CST

Not sure if this question is best asked here or not, but. I simply cannot get enough of Adam Hurt's clawhammer music...so much so that I am afraid of burning out his albums. Can anyone recommend other artists with similar style and sound as Adam Hurt's?

Thanks y'all.

Turkey in the Straw . . . Turn it up!

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:44:56 CST

A while back I met a friend for an evening jam. I recorded what we played than made a CD of some of the songs. I've frequently enjoyed listening to that CD in my car since then. Last night I was driving with my three kids, listening to that CD. As Turkey in the Straw began to play the following short exchange took place, between my son Jake, 5, and daughter, Ashley, 10

JAKE: Ooh Dad, that's Turkey in the Straw!

ASHLEY: Turn it up!

I have to admit I was smiling for a while after hearing that. My kids are no stranger to hearing me play, since it is pretty much constantly happening around the house.

Regards,

Scott

Celtic/Irish tunes

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:40:27 CST

What are your favorites to play?

Maid Behind The Bar -- aDADE

Star of The County Down -- gCGCD#

Star of Munster -- aEADE

Saint Patrick's Day -- dGDF#A or eAEG#B minstrel banjo

Bully For You -- dGDF#A or eAEG#B

Irishman's Shanty -- dGDF#A or eAEG#B

................

At this point I've been trying to figure out Morrison's Jig in various tunings.

Old time lyrics

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:50:25 CST

I was hoping to find a fairly comprehensive song book that is printed with "the" lyrics for many old time songs. After listening to many recordings and seeing a few different books, its clear that there is no consistency. I get that over 100+ years of an aural tradition, things will change and actually really enjoy that fact. So, what I'm really asking is for a book that contains the lyrics others would expect to hear at a jam or song circle.

I already own the "Parking Lot Pickers Song Book"

Thanks for your help!

Steve Martin / Edie Brickell full album

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:43:16 CST

Rounder Records posted the entire "Love Has Come For You" album on Youtube.

Red Rocking Chair

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:02:52 CST

I really like this rendition of Red Rocking Chair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rfFGvlGlpk

How about you?

Bizzare Behavior at OT Jam.

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 May 2013 13:22:32 CST

I was at an OT jam last night in Salem MA. I just got back into OT music and my recently acquired open back banjo is home in Tucson. I am traveling with a tenor banjo and guitar so bringing the 5 string was out of the question. A woman showed up with a Bart Reiter and I thought I'd have a chance to play a couple of tunes I have resurrected from the old days.

I chatted with this person a while and asked if I could borrow here banjo for a tune later. She replied that she is very careful with her banjos. I agreed that was good to be careful. She spent the next ten minutes trying to tune it.When my turn came to call the tune, I turned around to ask about borrowing the banjo and she said it had a broken 5th string. Then she asked me if I knew how to change the strings on a banjo. I said sure, and within a couple of minutes, the new 5th was replaced and tuned up. I then tried to play it and she said thank you and grabbed the banjo out of my hands. When my turn came around again I turned and asked if I could borrow here banjo for a tune and she refused much to the surprise of all the other musicians. Let me rephrase that, much to the surprise of the musicians.

Later she mentioned she has owned the banjo and has been taking lessons for 5 years!? WTF? Didn't know how to tune the banjo or change a string?

Strangest encounter at a jam to date! Well there was the crazy woman with the cello and the one stringed Chinese violin, but that's another story.

Cya!

Bob

new mando

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 May 2013 06:06:46 CST

my better half and I have decided to get a new mando for my 60th b-day...any suggestions/advice?

VIDEO: Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line - Barn Dance

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 8 May 2013 12:23:24 CST

We just produced this video of Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line performing Barn Dance for the WAMU's Bluegrass Country YouTube channel.

That's Joe Overton on the banjo.

Pete Seeger up-picking

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 8 May 2013 12:04:50 CST

given Pete's recent b-day...and mention that we here discuss Pete way too little...how's about some thoughts on up-picking

I finger pick...which is, of course, a form of up-picking...but the style I would like to discuss is the one wherein you up-pick with one or more fingers and occasionally strum down...usually on the off-beat..because I started banjo playing as a 3 finger picker, when I do this style I use both the index and the middle to up pick notes...sometimes I think of this style as clawhammer with training wheels:)

I do this style with my picking hand anchored on the head...sim. to how bluegrass pickers do

I'll try to post examples later

Asheville Old Time Jam tonight at Jack of The Wood

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 8 May 2013 08:46:23 CST

Anybody ever been to the Wednesday night old time jam at Jack of the Wood? I'm in Asheville this week, and I'm planning on going up there tonight. Let me know if anyone else from the hangout will be there tonight!

Highland County Old Time Fiddler's Convention

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 6 May 2013 19:25:33 CST

The Highland County Old Time Fiddler's Convention will be June 13 thru 16 2013 at the Highland County Fairgrounds in Monterey, VA. It starts with a free dance on Thursday, competition on Friday and Saturday and a gospel sing on Sunday morning. Camping is available with showers and there will be food and craft vendors. For contact info see the event calendar.

Recording King

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 6 May 2013 15:58:38 CST

Anybody out there play a California? Do you like it? Mark

Bruce Molsky in the UK

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 6 May 2013 15:24:18 CST

Just wanted to post to say me and some friends went to see Bruce Molsky play at the Chapel Arts Center in Bath last night. Couldn't believe our luck that he was in our neck of the woods. He brought himself, a fiddle, banjo and guitar to a venue full of very lucky people. And he was awesome.

Wow what a talent and what a whistle-stop educational journey through regional styles; Kentucky tunes, West Virginia tunes, some Eck Roberts, one borrowed from friends of his in Australia about a nineteenth century shipwreck and an amazing demonstration of Metis square dance tunes from North Dakota and the Canadian prairie.

One of those gigs you just think about for weeks afterwards.

For anyone else who hasn't seen him or wasn't aware he's touring here check out his gig list for May.

Old Time in Oregon

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 5 May 2013 12:30:59 CST

Hey folks!

I'm originally from Boone, North Carolina, but will be working in Klamath Falls, Oregon this summer. I fully plan on taking my banjo with me, but was hoping to find out what kind of old-time community there is in southern Oregon? Anyone know of jams I could track down? I'm aware of the community in/around Portland, but that's about 250 miles away from where I'll be working. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

What kind of banjo is this?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 May 2013 14:48:37 CST

This video is from a Pete Seeger concert some where.

Curious about what kind of banjo it is...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcbqCssiBUc

Prairie Home May 4

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 May 2013 12:49:30 CST

I was honored to be asked back to Prairie Home Companion for the May 4 show. I am here in Norfolk, getting ready to start rehearsals. I am proud to be helping get some clawhammer banjo out over the airwaves, and Linda Williams will be playing her good old 5-string as well. Give a listen if you take the notion. Bluegrass banjo will be expertly represented by Joe Dean, who is playing on the show with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.

NBD!!

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 May 2013 12:15:15 CST

Sadly the B in NBD does stand for Banjo...

It's for book!
I have been waiting for a copy of "Old Time Festival Tunes" by Mr. Levenson to get in so I could pick it up at my local Banjo store.

This morning I got the call!!!

Been playing a few tunes out of it and I am so happy I got this book... not only is it in Tab (yea I know learn the songs by ear from the CD) but it has notation!!!!!!!!

That means it's a 2 for 1 book... I can also learn to flatpick the songs too!!!

VIDEO: Adam Hurt & Beth Williams Hartness - John Henry

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 May 2013 07:57:36 CST

We just produced this video of Adam Hurt & Beth Williams Hartness performing John Henry for the WAMU's Bluegrass Country YouTube channel.

Adam is perhaps best known as a clawhammer banjo player, but he's also a fantastic fiddle player as well.

Pete Seeger

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 May 2013 00:14:19 CST

He is 94 years today. Congratulations!

I'm torn, old-time vs. modern openback

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 2 May 2013 21:17:12 CST

I've been playing clawhammer for just under 3 years. My only banjo, 'till now is my Goldtone CC-OT. I've learned on it and enjoyed it. Really, I have a bit of a sentimental feeling toward it, being the 'first'.

Despite that, recently, I bought another banjo. It's a Ashborn type, old-time banjo. Even though, the CC-OT is light, this is even lighter. Rim is about 1/8 inch thick, no tone ring, skin head with nylon strings. The previous owner
put on some geared tuners, rather than friction tuners, so it's easy to tune. Turns out, I really like to play it and love the sound. The sounds it makes are completely different than my 'other'.

I've noticed that switching from nylon to steel strings somehow seems to help my playing. The nylon seem to require a different touch. Which, when applied to the steel strings works out OK.

So, apart from any BAS stories, I'd like to know if you've experienced anything similar to this. As I type this, both banjos sit next to me. Left and Right.

Regards,

Scott

What model of resonator banjo did Odell Thompson play?

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 2 May 2013 17:07:04 CST

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Wade Ward. Really neat that a lot of the old players played clawhammer and old time music on a resonator banjo. I found a lot of info on Wade Ward's Gibson, but I haven't been able to find anything on Odell's resonator banjo. I've seen clips on YouTube, but I just can't ID it. Anybody have any idea what brand or luthier and what model he played?

Best current Clawhammer players/singers/bands?

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 1 May 2013 21:54:41 CST

My favorite band to listen to right now has to be Carolina Chocolate Drops. Love the frailin' mixed with Rhiannon's beautiful voice.

What bands/singers do you enjoy who use the clawhammer style?

Old Time in Rome?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:25:43 CST

I wonder if there are any Old Time music in Rome, Italy. I will visit there in the beginning of June. I will take a fiddle with me.

Bosco

Guitar for old time

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:42:54 CST

I started out my musical non-career playing guitar. I think I was 12 when I started playing.

I've owned lots of guitars in my life, but once I discovered old time banjo, I pretty much abandoned guitar, and devoted my time to banjo. I sold off most of my guitars, but I kept my Martin DH28. I played it a bit, but it was uncomfortable because I was used to smaller banjos.

A few weeks ago I bought a Taylor GS Mini, mahogany top. It's a 3/4 size guitar that's very comfortable to play. Compared to the cost of good open back banjos, it was dirt cheap: $400. The price for a new one is $500 (mine had a factory repair job, so I got a discount).

This little guitar is amazing. I've been playing it in old time jams, and people can't believe how good it sounds. It's loud when it needs to be, but it's also a great little couch picker for quiet times at home.

So there you go. This guitar was beneath my radar because I wasn't really looking for a new guitar. I did some research, and I've never seen an instrument that has such consistently good reviews.

There are certainly better guitars for old time music, but this is a good cheap choice.

Resonator banjos for clawhammer/frailing/Old Time?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:28:12 CST

This is kind of a continuation from a previous post where I was asking folks about pots and tone rings. Several folks mentioned that they played preferred resonator banjos. I know a lot of the old folks played Old Time/clawhammer on resonator banjos, but I don't know that many that do these days (I know y'all are out there, I'm just saying I don't know you personally. Maybe we can change that.). Also, please forgive my lumping together of terms like clawhammer/frailing/Old Time banjo. I know for some folks those might be 3 different things; for others, they may all 3 be the same thing. I'm just lumping them together for convenience to get my point across.

For those that play clawhammer/frailing/Old Time on a resonator, what about it do you prefer to an open back?

What/who makes a good resonator resonator for Old Time or Clawhammer? (in terms of maker/luthier/brand, type of wood, type of tone ring, bridge, strings, anything else you can think of).

Is there a specific resonator banjo maker that is good? Or do you essentially just use ex-"Bluegrass" banjos?

Ramsey banjo nuts

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:00:18 CST

Just got a Student and I couldn't be happier. Since I'm a beginner, I think it will be a long time before I out-play it, ha probably never. Can someone advise what size nuts he uses for the head tension? Getting an order together(Elderly) for strings and thought I would get a wrench also.

Steve Martin - The Great Remember

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:28:13 CST

Steve Martin shows off shows off his clawhammer chops here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bcO1svqh_Q

I have never heard of this tune, but it is very pretty. Anyone know of any tab for this tune?

I wish I had Steve's sense of humor.

Enjoy!

Bob

Inventory of instruments

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:38:19 CST

Do you ever think you have too much stuff?

Today I took inventory of my musical instruments.

5-string fretted open back banjo: 8
5-string fretless open back banjo: 3
5-string gourd banjo: 2
6-string open back banjo: 1
Acoustic guitar: 2
Acoustic bass guitar: 1
Electric guitar: 2
Electric bass guitar: 1
Mandolin: 1
Ukulele: 2
Banjo uke: 1
Mountain dulcimer: 1

There is no real reason that I should have so many -- especially since I'm just an amateur and can't play any of them really well. Some I never play at all, but I keep them because they look good, or for sentimental reasons. I consider the two electric guitars to be "investments."

The two bass guitars could easily go away. And probably the mandolin. Anyone want a nice Martin bass? Or a Flatiron mando?

But I do have a strict rule: When I buy a new instrument, one of them has to go. So, the size of the herd hasn't grown any in the past few years.

Pots size & Tone Rings: What do you like and why?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:48:02 CST

I'm not really looking to hash out "which is better" or "which is the best"? Everybody has their opinions, and I am just curious to hear about them. I would like to know what people like about particular pot sizes and tone rings. Which one do you like? What about it appeals to you or why do you like it?

I have a Ramsey "Woody" with a 12inch pot and Ramsey with an "Electric" tonering and a 11inch pot. They both sound different, and I like the differences and play both equally depending on what mood I am in.

I am just hoping that hearing other folks describe their preferences might help me pick up on something I might not have noticed before (or maybe the next time I am test driving a potential new banjo, it might give me something to listen for or take into consideration).

Trevor and Travis Stuart - Johnny Court the Widow

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:27:30 CST

Hi All,

Just received Rayna Gellert's email newsletter where she gives a shout out to Trevor and Travis Stuart and includes a link to a YouTube video of them playing Johnny Court the Widow. I really enjoyed it so thought I would pass it along here. I've been a fan of the Stuart Brothers for several years now after encountering them at Pickathon here in Portland. They've been out to Pickathon many times backing up Martha Scanlon (who I also really like). If you can find their self produced CD "Pretty Little Widow" there's a great recording of Trevor's Chicken and Dumplings on it with Rayna adding a second fiddle. That's since become a popular jam tune around here.

All for now, Scott

Interesting Acoustics

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:52:44 CST

This is counter-intuitive, or at least counter-modern-school-of-thought:

In search of tonal depth, it seems that makers/players tend to go in the deep-rim/minimal tone-ring direction these days. Also, placing the bridge close to the center of the head seems to be the norm. After having acquired a number of vintage banjos, I have interestingly found the opposite.

Three of the banjos I own, a 1905-or-so Lyon and Healy, an 1891 S.S. Stewart, and a circa-1886 Geo. C. Dobson all have 11" spun-over rims that are 2-3/8" or less deep. Two of them have the bridge placed comparatively close to the tail-piece, and these banjos, while possessing clarity also have what could only be described as a deep, booming lower register that I haven't heard from of any of my newer, deeper rimmed banjos. Has anyone noticed a similar result?

Open back tone rings

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:20:16 CST

Hi All,

I was trying to read up a bit on tone rings and then I thought that perhaps this would make for an interesting thread. As a way of developing a bit of a fact sheet about tone rings in open backs, would you comment on a favorite (or a few) tone rings you have played. Maybe include some details like what the tone ring is (either type or possibly maker) and what it is about the sound that you appreciate. Are there particular woods that you think the sound matches? Be as descriptive on the sound though as possible.

Cheers!

What is there about certain Banjos? Your experience the same?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:39:15 CST

In the two plus years since I was afflicted with the banjo addiction......I've had way too many banjos (according to my wife).....for my level of skill.....What can I say....I've had some really nice banjos and they were all great, in their own way. The thing is, I didn't have any problem selling them and moving on to something new. That is until I bought a Deering Vega Little Wonder and I refurbished a Geo C Dobson. I put the Dobson up for sale as soon as I finished it but a little voice....(maybe George) kept saying, are you sure about this? And then a good BHO friend of mine said....I think the Dobson has found a good home....you may regret it if you let it go. He was right.....I can't.....For some reason I think I'm supposed to have it and that's why it found me in the first place.....neglected, broken and looking for a home. I bought the Little Wonder just because I saw it on BHO one day and it was a good deal....never had any intention of keeping it and by most people's standards I already had a banjo that was much bettler than the Little Wonder. But I liked it and sold the "better" banjo. Then I thought....well, I like the Little Wonder so well that I'll buy a Vega Senator, which I'm sure I will like better....and I'll sell the Little Wonder. Guess what? The Senator is gone and the Little Wonder is still here........It occurred to me that in spite of advice and research about what is the best banjo....and endless searching to find it.....There are certain banjos that find you, for whatever reason.......and for whatever reason they become the banjo/s that is/are right for you. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience......I'm glad I did. Regards, Rick

Another Nail Thread

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:35:23 CST

Been CHing for a few years now - mostly playing at home. I mostly use my middle nail, sometimes index. (very different sound so changing not preferred)

I've evolved a nail care strategy that seems to work for me:

I use this stuff: http://www.leightondenny.com/product-detail/111/renovate fairly regularly. Forget sometimes.

Often comes with a very fine nail file - Important to file out micro jagged edges.

The trick seems to be to moisturize the nail. While it is supple it has more strength - brittle nails break. So my nails last much longer.

When they get a bit tattered and start to look and feel like they are in trouble I use one of these: http://fredkellypicks.com/delrin-freedom-finger-picks.html

I seem to have settled into this now - just a little extra maintenance and a backup.

Cheers

Paul