tomberghan - Posted - 09/07/2010:  01:33:22

Anybody ever play a Tyler Mountain banjo?
tylermountain.com/banjos.html

They are “budget” instruments so I would not expect the materials to be top drawer, but is the workmanship acceptable? With some expert setup and tweaking can they made to sound “acceptable?” (I know, “acceptable” is a very subjective term . . . just give it your best shot)

I am interested in their little “Banjorine TMBR-100.” They list for $339.50 and can be purchased new for about 30% less than list.

So, the price is great . . . but is the instrument a joke? Now, when I was a young kid we lots of great “affordable” guitars like Danelectro, Supro, National, Silvertone, Stella, and so forth . . . but they worked and lots of people made recordings with them.

My first instrument was a Danelectro! I was eventually able to get a used Fender . . . but I loved that Danelectro and it definately worked.

So . . . are Tyler Mountain Banjos equivalent to a Danelectro . . . or more like a piece of #*@X?

Earls 5 - Posted - 09/07/2010:  01:57:38

well i had a TM -700 bluegrass model and it was/is a very acceptable piece.

vernob - Posted - 09/07/2010:  02:40:33

I played one in a store. I didn't like what I saw, felt and heard. Not a Danelectro. I like Good Times, Gold Tones, and Rovers a lot better. All are entry level instruments. I bought an old banjo. maybe 1930's, on eBay for $70. It needed some set up work and a few parts but the result blows away any of the low end new ones. Just a thought.

beegee - Posted - 09/07/2010:  04:10:15

I bought a Tyler Mt. with a broken left-handed neck, I bolted a factory 2nd Gold Tone neck to it and it was OK. The parts are typical lower-end Chinese. Thick-wall resonator, some defects in the plating. With the head really tight and a good bridge, it sounded pretty good. This was over 5 years ago and I understand the quality has improved.

madkelt2004 - Posted - 09/07/2010:  05:16:47

I started out learning banjo with a Tyler Mountain. I was brand new to the instrument so all those differences everyone likes to obsess over didn't mean a damned thing to me. I played it until I could afford to upgrade. I had to learn the basic techniques on something, didn't matter what the instrument was.

R Buck - Posted - 09/07/2010:  07:45:16

I have had students who played them. They are a low end student banjo much like many others with their names silk screened on their peghead.

banjered - Posted - 09/07/2010:  13:33:48

I like the Saga Pony 10P . The newer Chinese ones have a 1/4" rim whereas the older Korean ones have a 5/8 thick rim. There's one for sale at Elderly elderly.com/vintage/items/60U-2386.htm I put new tuners, Ren head, and Nylgut strings on mine - works fine. TC

tomberghan - Posted - 09/08/2010:  06:07:10

Thanks everyone.

Tom, That Saga Pony looks pretty good. The price is right and I could then afford fix it up (tuners, bridge, head, strings). I was not aware of the Saga pony.
Best Wishes,
Tom

Rob MacKillop - Posted - 09/08/2010:  06:33:17

I've read a lot of good comments regarding the Saga Pony, Tom. I have an Ozark banjorine which got new tuners and a Renaissance head. Here it is:

VIDEO: Leaning On The Garden Gate and Pic-Nic Reel - Banjeaurine (click to view)

tomberghan - Posted - 09/09/2010:  01:17:26

Rob,
That Ozark banjorine (banjeurine) sounds great! I would get one but Ozark instruments do not have distribution in the United States. But THAT is what I was talking about Rob. You have given an example of an inexpensive banjo and you are making it sound really good. That is what I meant when I used the example of "Danelectro."

Thanks for the tip and thanks for posting the great video!
Best Wishes,
Tom

(great sound and playing!)