Hey!

I just joined this site, and you all seem very nice. I think you know a lot about banjos! Well, me and my dad have decided to buy a banjo. I have been around in a lot of music stores, where I have tried Eastone BJ30, Epiphone MB100, Goodtime banjos, Tanglewood TBDLX, Cort CB-55, Fender FB54, and Fender FB55. I liked the FB55 best, it's a closedback banjo. I've heard though that it's mostly for bluegrass playing, but I'm not really sure of what I'm supposed to play later. I also liked a Goodtime Classic openback banjo, but I'm not really sure that's very good.. The reason I'm buying a banjo, is because I like the sound, and it would be great for recording. I'm mostly interested in 5-stringed banjos! They seem funnier to play with!

I really want your opinions as well, that would've been great! Any other suggestions? Which one should I choose?

Sincerly, Adam

/AA

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  14:11:45        

The Deering Goodtime banjos are regarded by many (professional instructors included) to be among the best starter banjos out there! They stay in tune and are very easy to play. They certainly won't hold you back as far a progressing to a competent player.

I have a Fender Deluxe and it is also a decent instrument given its relatively inexpensive price.

Brian

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  14:17:41  

What type of music do you want to play on the banjo? Is there any particular artist or album or song that led to your interest in the instrument, or do you just like the sound of it in general? Knowing what you sound you want to create will help suggest what type of banjo to buy.

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  14:20:16    

Ok, thanks for replying!

Of the Goodtime banjos I have seen, most of them are openback! I think that means they have no resonator! Will that be an advantage if my reasons are playing banjo in ensemble?

Are closed back banjos generally more expensive than closed back? I'm looking for a banjo costing 400-450$. I found the FB55 for 450$, and I found a Goodtime openback for 350$,
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/...GOODTIME.htm

The only artist who inspired me playing banjo was Sufjan Stevens,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFZ...ture=related

AA

Edited by - Barbapapa on 10/28/2009 14:23:20

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  14:33:44  

quote:

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Originally posted by Barbapapa

Ok, thanks for replying!

Of the Goodtime banjos I have seen, most of them are openback! I think that means they have no resonator! Will that be an advantage if my reasons are playing banjo in ensemble?

Are closed back banjos generally more expensive than closed back? I'm looking for a banjo costing 400-450$. I found the FB55 for 450$, and I found a Goodtime openback for 350$,
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/...GOODTIME.htm

The only artist who inspired me playing banjo was Sufjan Stevens,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFZ...ture=related

AA

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Edited by - EggerRidgeBoy on 10/28/2009 14:48:20

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  14:55:29  

If you're not sure what type of music you want to play, you might think about a resonator model. that way, you can take off the resonator and play it as an openback. Deering makes a great beginner resonator banjo, the Deering Goodtime II Banjo for around $500.

You might want to check around on some of the Internet sites and see if you can negotiate price. many dealers will deal.

Best of luck. As a beginner, you'll probably find that being a member of the BHO was the best move you'll make...I have.

Axeman

If the minimum wasn't good enough...it wouldn't be the minimum.

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  14:58:49        

Hello
I had a Goodtime open back and a Goodtime II with resonator.
If you play in a bluegrass jam the open back is to quiet. For me the best banjo for beginners is the Deering Goodtime II Special ( with tone ring and resonator) is easy with high volume.
Bruno

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  15:29:18      

With that much to spend you could also find a nice Epiphone MB-250, which is a major step up from the 100 you played. Decent quality for a nice price.

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  15:46:32    

I'd be a bit cautious about some of the banjos you mentioned. The Tanglewoods and Epiphones are okay and look good, but you'll find better quality workmanship on the Goodtimes. They'll play better, too. Best thing is to work out what style of banjo you want to play and that'll narrow it down. Good luck!

Flailing since 2008

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  15:55:09    

I would go with the Goodtime and you can allways upgrade in the future.

Poverty Ridge Bluegrass

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  16:09:14        

quote:

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Deering Goodtime II Special ( with tone ring and resonator) is easy with high volume.

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Posted - 10/28/2009 :  16:15:54    

I think you might be right, the Goodtime Special II seems good. Thank god I joined BHO! :)
Goodtime 2 at Musicians Friend:
http://folk-instruments.musiciansfr...WXX&ZYXSEM=0
Fender FB55:
http://folk-instruments.musiciansfr...o?sku=510463
Fender or Goodtime?

AA

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  16:17:14        

Another vote for Goodtime.

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  16:17:47  

Forget about the Goodtime. You can get a very decent sounding used Gold Star banjo for about 600-700 dollars. They are far better quality than the lower priced Deerings.

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  16:27:39    

quote:

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Originally posted by banjobud

Forget about the Goodtime. You can get a very decent sounding used Gold Star banjo for about 600-700 dollars. They are far better quality than the lower priced Deerings.

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quote:

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Originally posted by 1four5

quote:

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Deering Goodtime II Special ( with tone ring and resonator) is easy with high volume.

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Deering makes a Goodtime "II" and a Goodtime "Special", but not a "Goodtime II Special" Just don't want you to get mixed up. The "II" does NOT have a tone ring, and the "Special" does. I've played them both, and the Goodtime Special with a resonator will get you the furthest of all you mentioned. it is very jam and gigworthy. I have one and love it.

Dean

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Edited by - Barbapapa on 10/28/2009 16:32:42

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  17:06:58      

Adam,
I am not sure what your budget is I would look at the resale in saying that I would say look at Guitar Centers used site .

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  17:52:53  

quote:

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Originally posted by Barbapapa

quote:

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Originally posted by banjobud

Forget about the Goodtime. You can get a very decent sounding used Gold Star banjo for about 600-700 dollars. They are far better quality than the lower priced Deerings.

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Where did you find these banjos?

Btw- I've also heard about Gold Tone banjos, which should be good.

quote:

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Originally posted by 1four5

quote:

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Deering Goodtime II Special ( with tone ring and resonator) is easy with high volume.

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Deering makes a Goodtime "II" and a Goodtime "Special", but not a "Goodtime II Special" Just don't want you to get mixed up. The "II" does NOT have a tone ring, and the "Special" does. I've played them both, and the Goodtime Special with a resonator will get you the furthest of all you mentioned. it is very jam and gigworthy. I have one and love it.

Dean

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Oh, that's not good.. The Goodtime Special is 700$!
What is the differrence between a banjo with and a banjo without tonering? Should I go for Goodtime II anyways?
AA

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Edited by - EggerRidgeBoy on 10/28/2009 18:06:05

Posted - 10/28/2009 :  23:17:24        

quote:

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Originally posted by 1four5

[quote]Deering Goodtime II Special ( with tone ring and resonator) is easy with high volume.

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Posted - 10/29/2009 :  07:07:53    

quote:

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Originally posted by EggerRidgeBoy

[quote]Originally posted by 1four5


Gold Tone banjos are another excellent possibility. They make several very good, reasonably priced beginner banjos. The Maple Classic (MC-150R) model is "convertible", meaning it has a resonator that can be easily removed for open-back playing: http://www.goldtone.com/products/de...aple-Classic .

As for the difference between a banjo with a tone ring and one without, it is difficult to make any absolute statements, since there are so many variables and so many different types of tone rings. In very general terms, a tone ring banjo will be louder and will have a somewhat sharper sound than one without.

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Posted - 10/29/2009 :  18:05:57    

Hey Adam,

I'm have been in the market for my first banjo for three months now. I don't commit to anything over $100 lightly, so I have been in constant search-comparison mode. Like myself, a resonator banjo seems like the ticket for you. Considering it will be a entry level, Deering Goodtimes withstanding, you are going to have to choose from amongst Asian made models. American made drive entry level cost up too much IMO. From the remaining choices, Gold Tone seems to be a hybrid option. Their parts are made in Asia and then assembled in the USA. This gives them a chance for greater quality control. Gold Tone's, like Deering's entry level banjos, lack much in flare or that classic banjo look with inlays and all.

After all my months, I decided that the Gold Tone CC-100R Plus was the best banjo for me and my budget. This not only sounded nice from all the video and sound clips I sampled, but also it is convertible, meaning that the resonator is removable. This gives you the option to try different styles or just practice on your own at a lessened volume. It also has some sort of tone ring or hoop.

Ross Nickerson from Banjoteacher.com has video samples of Gold Tone banjos, and his price for the Gold Tone CC-100R Plus with soft case and professional setup for $449. You can get that with all the beginner stuff like tuner, instructional material, picks, strap and one year access to his online video instruction for $479. http://www.banjoteacher.com/GoldTon...ekRPPlus.htm (I am in no way affiliated with Gold Tone, Ross Nickerson or Banjoteach.com) These are all my opinion and suggestion considering the similar situation. I haven't made my purchase of the CC-100R Plus yet. I am waiting a little closer to Christmas. It is going to be my wife's gift to me. :)

Good luck on your purchase, and keep us posted.

Edited by - Cajun_Hillbilly on 10/29/2009 18:20:54

Posted - 10/29/2009 :  19:45:08        

quote:

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The Goodtime II cost 500$ or something, and I could pay for that. Will the difference between the Goodtime Special I tried and the Goodtime II banjo?

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Edited by - 1four5 on 10/30/2009 08:34:26

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  02:46:46    

Helix banjos seem nice. Will they ship to Sweden?

Gold Tone seems like a good idea, but I really want to try it first, to be sure it sounds ok! Maybe that's not necessary, if I could read some reviews somewhere to be really certain it's good!
Gold Tone or Goodtime?


AA

Edited by - Barbapapa on 10/30/2009 02:48:00

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  04:07:06        

Hi Adam!

My first banjo was a Washburn B-9. I played for about a year, and when I upgraded I gave it to my friend who wanted to learn how to play. He never played it though, so it just stood there collecting dust a few years, before I finally took it back a few weeks ago. I'd be happy to sell it to you with a nice hard shell case for 1000 kr if you'd like.

It's not a great banjo, but it plays well and has good action. Might be good to start out on before you know what kind of banjo you would like to spend more money on.

If you're interested, send me an email: maximilian@filmmakers.se I live in Stockholm, and would really prefer not to ship it.

Best,
Max

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  04:28:13        

You know what… I just took it out and played it for a while. I notice the frets are a bit rusty (doesn’t effect the playability at all though) and the fifth string pip is a bit to low, so it kinda makes a buzzing sound when digging into the fifth. I’m sure this can be fixed really easy and cheap if it bugs you, but I just wanted to let you know. I’d be happy to sell it cheaper with this in mind. Or I could just pack along some bluegrass books, DVD’s, strings and stuff that I’m not using. I’d just be happy to get rid of the stuff anyways… moving soon.

Max

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  08:07:36    

quote:

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Originally posted by maxmax

You know what… I just took it out and played it for a while. I notice the frets are a bit rusty (doesn’t effect the playability at all though) and the fifth string pip is a bit to low, so it kinda makes a buzzing sound when digging into the fifth. I’m sure this can be fixed really easy and cheap if it bugs you, but I just wanted to let you know. I’d be happy to sell it cheaper with this in mind. Or I could just pack along some bluegrass books, DVD’s, strings and stuff that I’m not using. I’d just be happy to get rid of the stuff anyways… moving soon.

Max

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Posted - 10/30/2009 :  08:33:29        

quote:

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Unfortunately I'm not sure if I should invest to a used banjo, since it may have some faults as you told

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