Happy2ride - Posted - 03/19/2008:  14:38:48

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I love this pickin' stuff. Even I though I started only 7 weeks ago, I can't get enough. I have a really cheap banjo. I think it's a Mattel! I want to buy a more mellow and rich sounding banjo but looking is overwhelming. I am not in a rush but need help with a direction. I prefer a rich and more mellow sound than brassy or ringing. Do I have to look for a Mahogany or walnut neck or will a decent maple do. I'm looking for a banjo I can grow into not a beginner level.
Any suggestions as to make, model or things to look for would be very helpful.

Hap

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Edited by - jazzylynne on 03/19/2008 15:58:24

cockneybanjo - Posted - 03/19/2008:  14:59:06

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questions, questions.... firts of all, what's your budget? Second, what style are you playing? Don't know the first and haven't been playing long enough to know the second?

There is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much about this here on BHO. You should take this decision in about 3 months because (1) you will have mujch more idea of what you want (2) it will take you that long to read all the stuff you have found on the search box.

migobegi - Posted - 03/19/2008:  15:12:31

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I agree, take some time to get to know what you really like. I think if you keep visiting this site you'll have a good idea of what you may be interested in. I think you'll lear about things you wouldn't have know to ask or think about if you keep visiting this site and readin the forums. Good luck.

I love life!

Trewq36 - Posted - 03/19/2008:  15:51:35

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Also visit your local shops and try out as many as you can. There are a lot of differences when it comes to tone with banjos.

One of the reason I keep my old Kay is that it has a "more mellow sound" and is much lighter then my metal dressed Goldstar.

Good luck............





....yoR

Happy2ride - Posted - 03/19/2008:  16:04:47

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What you guys are saying makes a lot of sense. However I have been listening to bluegrass for many years, have attended many live concerts & jams, played drums for twenty years and have my measily opinion of what I enjoy hearing and knowing what I do not like.
So, the information I would like, would be to help me eliminate the plethora of models and advertising BS and look for suggestions by those of you who have already done the leg work. Then I could take my time after reading & researching and wait to actually play and hear it prior to laying out the cash. As for budget, I think I would need to spend approx. $1100 - $3500 for an excellent cond used banjo and my style is Scruggs 3 finger. Just like everyone else I love a bargain but most of the time you get what you pay for. I don't intend to spend that kind of money until I can play in public without getting hit with tomatoes! Why don't manufacturers list the weight of their banjos? Man, some of these things have cinder blocks in them. I did play a Vega Senator Bluegrass yesterday it sounded mellow compared to others there. Thanks...

mkleck - Posted - 03/19/2008:  16:11:49

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Since you already know what you like (as far as sound goes) and you have a good understanding of the budget required for a good quality banjo I would suggest talking to one of our resident builders like Mr Fawley of Mr. Fitch. I am confident either one of them could custom build you a banjo with exactly the sound you want within your budget numbers.

george craciun - Posted - 03/19/2008:  16:14:19

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Mahogany or (the more pricey) walnut would be expected to produce a more mellow, less brassy / bright tone. There are several good options out there, depending on how much you are prepared to spend. Deering Goodtime or Sierra models are popular as are the Recording Kings. Those are my personal picks, but others may include various other brands and models. It also will make a difference if you play clawhammer or 3 finger picking styles and want a resinator or open back banjo. Best to take your time and try to actually play some different banjos before you make THAT decision. The more skill you develop, the better decision you will ultimately make. You'll get a real shock when you pick up a more professional type type banjo and realize it is a LOT heavier than what you are used to! But that comes with the turf. Elderly Instruments and Janet Davis Music have a wide selection of instruments and other banjo sundries, for a start. Good luck and keep on plunking.

Back Porch Picker

steve davis - Posted - 03/19/2008:  16:24:02

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You say you want to play Scruggs style,but you don't like the heavy banjo.Earl Scruggs' banjo and tonering banjos in general are heavy.There have been aluminum ring banjos made by Fender and some discussion here lately about the good sound of the rolled brass tube banjoslike the 1s 2s and 11s.Are you dead set against the 12 pound standard bluegrass design? There is quite a wide range of set-ups for them as far as tone goes.

Sometimes I just gotta wait for better weather

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/19/2008:  16:52:09

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I think that Stelling has a mahogany or maple banjo and it would sound more mellow. However, unless you could find a used one, they would probably be out of your price range. Seems like the Nechvilles I've played have a more mellow sound than the Gibsons but then I haven't played too many different banjos lately.

If you want a more mellow, tubby sound, you might try loosening the head on just about any banjo and that will change the sound from crisp and clear to more mellow and tubby.

Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo

mjmckeon - Posted - 03/19/2008:  16:57:05

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Simple, play everything you can get you hands on in your price range. Your new banjo will find you.

Mike

Morgan Monroe Militia.........Stand up for what you believe in.

steve davis - Posted - 03/19/2008:  17:49:37

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I wouldn't worry about getting a mellow sounding banjo as any banjo can be mellowed out like TexasBanjo said or by a mute or one of those "tone enhancer" things.Then if someone says they can't hear you over the fiddle or guitar you could have good volume by removing the mute or tightening the head.
Also.you can buy nice new banjos in the price range you spoke of.

Sometimes I just gotta wait for better weather

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 03/19/2008:  17:49:40

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quote:

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Simple, play everything you can get you hands on in your price range. Your new banjo will find you.

Mike

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Reread this quote, it really says it all. To my budget, a $3500 hit requires a lot of justification, and I would not expect to sneak that past my wife unnoticed. If I talked her into such an expense once, it likely would not happen again. I would play every banjo I could find, until The Right One refused to let me out of the store alone. Have someone drive you, because you won't be able to drive home with the new banjo in your lap. Enjoy the search, it's one of the most pleasurable things you can do in full clothing.
Paul

"A master banjo player isn't the one who can play the most notes. It's the one who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello

jamie_t123 - Posted - 03/19/2008:  19:11:26

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Hi,
There are lot's of choices out there....check out the Gold Tones, Gold Stars and Recording Kings...some very nice banjo's that if they turn out to not be "the one" your wife wont' kill you!

Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!

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Edited by - jamie_t123 on 03/19/2008 19:12:21

Happy2ride - Posted - 03/20/2008:  15:27:39

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Thanks,
I twice had a wife like that too!
You're right about enjoying the search. It's even more exciting than buying a motorcycle 'cause the pickin won't kill me.
I live in an 11,000 pop community so I'm planning to visit other music shops soon. We have three stores locally and there are 17 banjos between them and the largest store had two Goodtimes.
I really enjoy the advice and the camaraderie.

[/quote]
Reread this quote, it really says it all. To my budget, a $3500 hit requires a lot of justification, and I would not expect to sneak that past my wife unnoticed. If I talked her into such an expense once, it likely would not happen again. I would play every banjo I could find, until The Right One refused to let me out of the store alone. Have someone drive you, because you won't be able to drive home with the new banjo in your lap. Enjoy the search, it's one of the most pleasurable things you can do in full clothing.
Paul

"A master banjo player isn't the one who can play the most notes. It's the one who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello
[/quote]