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CG - Posted - 01/20/2011: 13:10:39
Any recommendations for a good banjo suitable for Classic Fingerstyle playing (gut strings no picks) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Cl
ive
Emiel - Posted - 01/20/2011: 13:32:38
Many openback banjos... Whyte Laydie and Tubaphone banjos were originally designed for that style, though frailers like them too. Also "all wood" banjos with no tonering whatsoever are suited.
trapdoor2 - Posted - 01/20/2011: 13:38:36
A completely biased opinion 
: Go find a Clifford Essex "CE Special". You'll never need another Classic Fingerstyle banjo...ever. I've been playing one for several months now. I'm in love!
Otherwise, almost any 5-string will do. While the style is generically "open back, nylon/nylgut/gut" It can (and has been) played on everything from fretless minstrel-types to hotrod bluegrass cannons. French ace-banjoist, Jean-Marc Andres played a Stelling on his CD "Zarana"...lovely work there.
Edited by - trapdoor2 on 01/20/2011 13:40:35
Emiel - Posted - 01/20/2011: 14:07:03
quote:
Originally posted by trapdoor2
A completely biased opinion : Go find a Clifford Essex "CE Special". You'll never need another Classic Fingerstyle banjo...ever. I've been playing one for several months now. I'm in love!
Otherwise, almost any 5-string will do. While the style is generically "open back, nylon/nylgut/gut" It can (and has been) played on everything from fretless minstrel-types to hotrod bluegrass cannons. French ace-banjoist, Jean-Marc Andres played a Stelling on his CD "Zarana"...lovely work there.
I've got a C.E. Special too... but they won't be so easy to find. It's true that almost any banjo is suited, but for gut strings I was thinking traditionally, and also with respect to the "classic" style which is different from minstrel stroke style.
Emiel - Posted - 01/20/2011: 14:27:06
CE Special
BANJO TONY - Posted - 01/20/2011: 14:39:51
how about a nice open back OME,now thats sweet!.
ponty - Posted - 01/20/2011: 17:29:04
Hi Clive..I dont know anything about classic banjo. I know Wakefield though. I am a Trinity fan!
daniellesaxonreeves.co.uk/
Danielle SaxonReeves is a pro classical banjo player. May be you will find good info here.
R Buck - Posted - 01/21/2011: 06:20:17
I have an Ome Juniper that I am thinking of putting nylon strings on. It should sound great with them. But there are a lot of overspun pot banjos that would sound good with nylon strings on them.
trick420 - Posted - 01/21/2011: 08:17:46
BHO member Rob Mackillop is a fantastic classical player. I would shoot him an email and see what he recommends.
BANJO TONY - Posted - 01/21/2011: 09:28:52
sounds like there is a lot of great banjos you can go with.I guess this is the 2nd golden age of banjos.
trapdoor2 - Posted - 01/21/2011: 12:46:46
Shamelessly, here's my CE Special...fingerstyle.
banjohangout.org/topic/196245
I have found that most modern banjos require a good bit of 'nuanced' setup to work well in this style. Also, many banjos of the period (1870-1920) have been 'modified' for steel strings (and for clawhammer-style playing)...they often require a bit of work to "unmodify" them.
choolie - Posted - 01/30/2011: 13:08:29
How much would you expect to pay for a CE special if one came on the market?
Emiel - Posted - 01/31/2011: 05:29:03
I paid about 800 Euros for mine...
