Pjotor - Posted - 03/16/2008:  06:26:09

Hi guys, I'd like your help to decide what to buy.

- I primarily aim to learn Scruggs style picking.
- For what it's worth -- I can play several instruments already (guitar and double bass among others) and I have large hands, giving me good reach.

I've concluded I want a banjo which can be both quiet and fairly loud, so my guess is a banjo with metal tone ring (steel or brass). If there is a resonator it should be removable; I could always buy the EZ-Resonator later.

I'm torn between the following:
- Gold Tone CC-100R/P+
- Gold Tone CC-100+
- Gold Tone CC-50R/P
- Gold Tone Maple Classic
- Deering Goodtime Classic
- Deering Goodtime Special openback
- Deering Goodtime 2

Looks really don't matter.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Feel free to correct my wish list if you think you know better what I should have.

Some additional questions:
- Which models does the EZ-Resonator fit, should I go with an open-back model?
- Any recommendations for a European music store besides banjostore.net which ships to Sweden?

Edited by - Pjotor on 03/16/2008 08:37:46

5-stringreiny - Posted - 03/16/2008:  07:15:04

Hi Pjotor, and welcome to the hangout - the banjo's you've listed are certainly nice, however I would also urge you to consider the Recording King line - especially the RK-R80 Professional, for Scruggs Style Picking - delivers great sound at a reasonable price. If you are looking for the ability to go both loud and quiet, I would say that you need to purchase a loud banjo (and recommend getting an instrument with a resonator), then mute it. An accessory you can purchase is a banjo mute (fits on the bridge), or, the poor-mans alternative is simply stuffing a towel in the resonator - which also works great. No ideas on European shops, but you can check out www.banjo.com, who offers great prices and ships internationally. Good luck!

george craciun - Posted - 03/16/2008:  09:53:02

To add to the good suggestions of others, yes I would definitely also consider the RK (Recording King) and as well you may be able to get an Ozark Banjo which is available from Eagle Music Shop in the U.K. (and not available here in the U.S.A.). This is a nice sounding mastertone replica banjo (as I believe the RK is as well). These are professional quality banjos at a modest price and along with the Deering Sierra and Goodtime Classics, make a good group to select from. Good luck!

Back Porch Picker

ditchavage - Posted - 03/16/2008:  10:13:59

All that you have listed are good banjos. Sounds to me like you've narrowed the field quite bit by doing your homework. Excellent. I don't believe that anyone can tell you which one of these is truely better than the other. I, personally, would lean towards the Goodtime because I like the feel of the unfinished neck. It's something that you should explore further, if you can, by setting each one in your lap and feel the banjo. The Goodtime openback will sit closer in to your body due to the lack of a bulky resonator. But any 5 string banjo, really, can be played with either style. You don't have to have an openback for old time, nor do you need a resonator for bluegarss. A mute will quiet the banjo down quite a bit, so it's only really usable if you don't wish to disturb anyone. http://www.banjohangout.org/classif...asp?cid=3733 Any of these banjos, including the RK line that was mentioned, are great choices. The choice would depend on you, (and whats available).

WELCOME TO THE HANGOUT!!!

Mike "HollyWood" Ditchavage

Someday... I'm gonna hafta have a looong talk with that boy.

Pjotor - Posted - 03/16/2008:  14:04:14

Thanks for all the welcomes and pointers guys. Unfortunately the RK banjos seem to be out of my budget. Buying from outside the EU means 25 % extra VAT on top of the price. Since I don't know if I'm gonna like playing the banjo or not I don't want to spend too much money. Baby at home + mortgages + parental leave doesn't equal a hell of a lot of cash to spare.

I understand the banjos in my list are sort of equal to one another, save some of the finer points, which is sort of why I'm asking. Any input apart from what you've already given is greatly appreciated -- I have a running subscription to this topic.

Many thanks once again.