J-Walk - Posted - 10/24/2009:  17:32:08

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I bought a banjo from Jason Burns, and it arrived yesterday. It's his #11, with a spun over rim and Dobson tone ring. I love it.

It came with a very cool tweed case (which I've never seen before). Tucked inside the accessory compartment was a leather journal.



I opened it, and saw that Jason had recorded every detail of this banjo.



How cool is that? There was also a note:

"John, feel free to keep notes in it. Places you go or play with the banjo. People you meet. Future repairs or setups. I wish all of the old banjos had journals with them. It would help us all know about the history of the instruments. Maybe this journal will still be with this banjo 100 years from now."

What a nice little bonus that was.

Has anyone ever acquired an old banjo that had a journal with it? Is anyone keeping a journal for a banjo?

Bill Rogers - Posted - 10/24/2009:  17:40:25

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What a cool idea. I've never seen such before.

Bill

Grum - Posted - 10/24/2009:  18:13:44

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I bought a "Case Notes" instrument diary from Janet Davis http://www.janetdavismusic.com/case_notes.html.

I'm the first owner of my Stelling Masterflower so the only writing in it is my own! I record detailed set-up notes, string gauges (I can never remember which ones are currently installed).

It's only a "leather like" vinyl cover but is quite nice anyway. I'm very pleased with it.

Grahame Bertram - I pick, therefore I grin.

beegee - Posted - 10/24/2009:  18:33:09

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

What a cool idea. I've never seen such before.

Bill

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Me, too. I might have to add that idea to the "to-do" list.

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

fretlessinfortwayne - Posted - 10/24/2009:  18:49:14

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I've got No. 10. You, sir, have made a wise purchase and I congratulate you.

Dean

"Each one's got to have his own style. It's all creamed potatoes, just fixed a little different." -- Benton Flippen

XXXris - Posted - 10/24/2009:  18:53:23

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hey, that's really nice. i like having the personal touch from the maker. bet you never sell that banjo!

unclekurty - Posted - 10/24/2009:  20:16:30

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That's a great idea. I'm going to do that.

Bisbonian - Posted - 10/24/2009:  21:23:04

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Wow, that is a neat idea. I've got to do that, too. Brad, are you listening? The rim is black walnut, the neck is maple, the tone ring is aluminum flat bar (1 1/2") bent into a 6" ring and riveted together. (Beats cutting up a piece of stovepipe). The tuners are walnut, two degree taper. Nylgut Minstrel strings, goatskin head. The bridge is walnut, about 9/16", the nut is rosewood, as is the pip. I wasn't wearing shoes.

Kurty, how are you doing? I met you once at the Santa Cruz BG & OT jam, and haven't seen you since. Still in the area?

"When Banjos are Outlawed, only Outlaws will have Banjos."

Paul Roberts - Posted - 10/24/2009:  22:18:50

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"I wish all of the old banjos had journals with them. It would help us all know about the history of the instruments. Maybe this journal will still be with this banjo 100 years from now."

A very inspiring vision; bespeaks a deep connection with soul of music. The whole sensibility enhances our relationship to our instruments and music. Enjoy your new banjo. I'd love to see and hear it.

Pablito

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ all Gold Tone instruments for sale

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering my YouTube channel

BrittDLD1 - Posted - 10/24/2009:  22:29:40

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Nothing quite so esoteric, or elegant...

But starting about 1990, I began keeping a file-folder on every major instrument
I've acquired. Everything from original catalogs, to classified ads, to shipping info.
Anytime I take one apart, I usually take photos -- or do a set of measured hand-
sketches -- showing any interesting, or important internal details, etc.

I started doing that -- when I ordered my 1st custom banjo, back in 1979.
I kept all of the paperwork, and correspondence, on the purchase of it.
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...&albumid=562

And I've keep a running logbook of every stringed instrument I've owned, since 1972.
How much when bough/traded/ sold. Up to #265. (That's only 7 instruments per year.)


Best-
Ed Britt


••• A good fiddle tune will bring two or more people together who might otherwise be enemies. •••

davr - Posted - 10/25/2009:  02:31:25

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This is VERY COOL!

I wish some of my old fiddles had journals (labels inside the instrument just aren't enough)!

dave

dgill - Posted - 10/25/2009:  05:56:34

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Hats off to the builder for such a grand idea and personal touch to his work. You should be sure to continue his efforts so that many years after we are gone, others can enjoy and comment on the notes within. Great idea, I must say.

rudykizuty - Posted - 10/25/2009:  17:21:42

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Great idea. I have often wondered about the history of the banjos I've had the good fortune to own and play, as well as having a curiosity about who had owned them through the years and what their story with playing the banjo was. Where or when was the banjo first sold as new? Things like that would be of great interest to me.

Anthony Herner
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You have to practice even to be lousy -- Jack Benny

Paul Roberts - Posted - 10/25/2009:  18:03:36

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Gives me an idea for an innovative crystal ball business.

Pablito

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ all Gold Tone instruments for sale

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering my YouTube channel

GerryH - Posted - 10/25/2009:  18:30:50

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Congrats on your new banjo, J-Walk. An added plus is the journal with notes from the builder. I had not heard of such a thing before. Very nice.
GerryH

dewbanjo - Posted - 10/26/2009:  07:43:45

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I never thought of a "Journal" for my banjo.... I have one for my MGB, started it the day i purchased the MGB (10+ years ago).. always write the trip/mileage/purpose/weather etc.... even have a few pictures from events I attended.... and record all the "changes" I have made over the years.

Yep, next trip to the book store I am going to pick-up a nice leather bound journal for my Tradesman banjo.

Keep on the "sunny side"!

Don

Jonnycake White - Posted - 10/26/2009:  09:21:11

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Very thoughtful of Mr. Burns. I have started to keep a building log on computer of the instruments I build - so far I've thought of it as a way to sort of keep track of my time (but not too closely - I don't do this as a profession!) and expense so when somebody asks me "How long did it take to build it?" I can answer them with something other than a blank stare. So far I've only sold a couple of my instruments, but that's only because I need the rest of them.

Jon W.
"The day is never dreary with the banjo's dulsome tones"

Viper - Posted - 10/26/2009:  10:07:12

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I keep a banjo journal. It's just a cardboard bound Moleskine journal that I note just about anything banjo related. I never thought to keep track of my banjo's parts and set-up. Maybe I should.

Congrats on the new banjo. Cheers!

__________________________________________________________
Right way or wrong way, I just want to play the banjo SOME way.

banjo bill-e - Posted - 10/26/2009:  12:30:18

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I would say that Mr. Burns is a class act, that is just too cool.

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Bill

I'm trying for that "ragged, but right" sound. I'm half way there!

mrphysics55 - Posted - 10/26/2009:  15:45:29

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quote:

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I would say that Mr. Burns is a class act, that is just too cool.

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MrP



You NEED a new Banjer! Go To http://www.burnsrepair.com/Home.html
Need a Fiddle Player 24/7? GoTo www.fiddletunes.net

banjo_brad - Posted - 10/26/2009:  16:50:34

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Thanks, Bisbo - I don't have to sound all whiney and pleading in an email now to get that information! So it's #5 from Bisbonian Banjo Works, and #2 in the Mountain Banjo series, right?

Now I've got a good excuse to visit a stationary store for a nice journal.


Brad
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www.PricklyPearMusic.net
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/5/ My ezFolk page
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/3371/ Tucson Old Time Music Circle page on ezFolk
http://www.totmc.org Tucson Old Time Music Circle Homepage

5stringpicker2 - Posted - 01/14/2010:  09:11:57

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A great Idea.

(I )===='---<::)

pickinchik - Posted - 01/14/2010:  09:51:39

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That is such a great idea!

Mandy