pcfive - Posted - 11/14/2010:  14:36:04

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Hi,

I have a Saga travel banjo that I bought second hand. It is very hard to play, and I don't know if that's because I don't have it set up right. My regular banjos are a Deering Goodtime 2 and a Goodtime Special. I love them and I think they sound great and are very easy to play. I really want to have a travel banjo in case I ever go anywhere. I wondered if I should get a Goodtime open back Parlor banjo? I think it's really cute and since I know I love the way Goodtimes sound and feel, there is a good chance I would like it. However, it does cost about $400. So I wonder if I should try to get my Saga set up better and see if that helps. The Saga looks like a very good quality banjo, and I really don't know why it's hard to play and doesn't sound great.

Is there some other travel banjo I should consider instead? I noticed there is an inexpensive Gold Tone.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

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Edited by - pcfive on 11/14/2010 14:36:59

davidtoc - Posted - 11/14/2010:  14:52:39

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I have a Tranjo 6.0, which I like a lot.

I like that it's a full scale banjo (26-3/8 inch scale length), tuned to open G (the only travel banjo I found.
I like that the neck comes off (without the need to remove the strings) and the whole thing fits in my suitcase.
I like that it's so lightweight and easy to carry in its gigbag.
I like that it's easy to play.
I like that it's much quieter than my normal banjo, which makes it much more appropriate for playing in hotel rooms or other situations when I'm travelling where there are people around who don't want to hear me play.

The only things I don't really like is that my regular banjo mute doesn't fit on it (although I'm sure there are some that would), and the relative difficulty of changing strings because of the location of the tuners.

Check it out at tranjo.com. It is not inexpensive ($700 new), and you can get a better banjo for less money, but not (IMO) a better travel banjo.

pcfive - Posted - 11/14/2010:  15:06:07

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Thanks davidtoc. But since I almost never travel, I don't want to spend that much on a real travel banjo. I just want a short neck open back, like my Saga, but I want something that feels and sounds good. I would pay $400 for the Goodtime Parlor if necessary.

daytripper - Posted - 11/14/2010:  16:21:41

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This thing looks awesome. Dang, they are based in Franklin - I spent 2 nights there on my US roadtrip last month. If only I'd known...

banjered - Posted - 11/14/2010:  19:31:16

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I really enjoy my Saga 10P. I put a renaisance head on it, changed the tuners to five stars, replaced a bad fifth string pip, put on classical nylgut strings and tuned it up to "C" (cGCEG), a moon bridge, and a Rickard brass tailpiece. It plays wonderfully and I think it sounds great. It's definitely a favorite keeper for me.

What is hard to play about yours and what sound are you looking for? You have a good pot and neck there, there is no reason why you should not be able to get that 10P up and running. TC

bublnsqueak - Posted - 11/15/2010:  02:31:56

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Another vote for the Tranjo!

I've just managed to pick up the Gold Tone version second hand for much less than the retail price. Do they come up second hand very often?

I am really impressed with this thing - as well as the advantages described by davidtoc, I love the sound, and someone remarked on BHO that it is the "state of the art mountain banjo." So there is an old timey feel to it if you squint your eyes and let your imagination do the looking.

I play CH andf the only downside is that my thumb usually taps the head but on the tranjo I need to be very accurate about where it lands otherwise it gets caught underneath the 5th string.

I agree that your best bet is probably to work on the setup of your current banjo - but don't write the Tranjo off!

Paul

pcfive - Posted - 11/15/2010:  04:25:57

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quote:

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Originally posted by banjered
What is hard to play about yours and what sound are you looking for? You have a good pot and neck there, there is no reason why you should not be able to get that 10P up and running. TC

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I am not really sure. My Goodtimes are wonderfully easy to play, and even my inexpensive open back is ok. I can see that the Saga is good quality. I am not any good at setting up and adjusting. I play bluegrass with picks, but I can play that on my other open back and it feels and sounds ok.

BRIAN MUNDAY - Posted - 11/15/2010:  19:13:46

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Dump the Saga and stay with what already has been working for you, get the Deering openback or parlor banjer!

Good Luck,
Brian

pcfive - Posted - 11/16/2010:  07:09:42

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quote:

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Originally posted by BRIAN MUNDAY

Dump the Saga and stay with what already has been working for you, get the Deering openback or parlor banjer!

Good Luck,
Brian

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That's what I really feel like doing Brian. I am craving the open back Goodtime Parlor. I think it's a very good bet that I would like the feel and sound of it. However, before spending all that money, I want to feel sure this is something I really need. If simple adjustments on the Saga would make it playable, that would save me hundreds of dollars.

On the other hand, I don't mind spending the money at all, if I can get what I really want. I really want something I could take on an plane, if necessary, and that I could play quietly.

The Goodtime Parlor is so cute, but I don't want to buy it just for that reason.

davidtoc - Posted - 11/16/2010:  07:56:31

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Yeah, i wish I could have gotten one used, but I never saw any come up for sale, so I bit the bullet, cashed in my coin jar(s), and got a new one. It's been a good investment. And quite a conversation piece, too, when I play outside in the park. People come up and ask about it because it looks so unusual. I got my very first tip ever while I was playing my tranjo in DuPont Circle in DC. A ten-year old kid came up and put 5 pennies on the bench next to me while I was playing Earl's Breakdown. I still have those pennies....

quote:

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Originally posted by bublnsqueak

Another vote for the Tranjo!

I've just managed to pick up the Gold Tone version second hand for much less than the retail price. Do they come up second hand very often?

I am really impressed with this thing - as well as the advantages described by davidtoc, I love the sound, and someone remarked on BHO that it is the "state of the art mountain banjo." So there is an old timey feel to it if you squint your eyes and let your imagination do the looking.

I play CH andf the only downside is that my thumb usually taps the head but on the tranjo I need to be very accurate about where it lands otherwise it gets caught underneath the 5th string.

I agree that your best bet is probably to work on the setup of your current banjo - but don't write the Tranjo off!

Paul

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palmettopicker - Posted - 01/28/2011:  18:21:40

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If anyone is interested, I just reactivated this ad: banjohangout.org/classified/18374