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SBPARK - Posted - 02/25/2011: 22:14:10
I am a newb here, been playing guitar for quite a while, believe it or not mostly from and indie rock/punk background and recently started getting into learning country guitar, and REALLY want a banjo now and want to learn how to play. Remember being blown away as a kid watching hee-haw and loving the banjo! As far as guitars go I have only and always been a Telecaster guy. Just love it's simplicity and versatility and play mine through an old 70's Vibro Champ and also have a '59 Bassman Reissue. but back to the topic...
I have $500 to spend on a banjo. Seems like in the banjo world you can get a decent, respectable instrument for that amount of money; along the lines of higher end beginner/intermidiate.
Unfortunately I dont have the luxury to go into a shop and try several out in that price range, and only have to go on what I've read on here. The few I have narrowed it down to seem to be:
Fender FB-58
Epiphone MB-250
Recording King RK-35
Used Morgan Monroe MNB-2 in near mint condition with a MM hardshell case for $500
Welcome your thoughts, suggestions and ideas!
Thanks in advance!
Edited by - SBPARK on 02/25/2011 23:08:09
BobbyE - Posted - 02/25/2011: 22:24:46
There is a used Deering Goodtime 2 (resonator with Guardian case) maple in the classifieds for $399. IMO this is probably more banjo for the buck than the ones you mention, even if they are new. Goodtimes are highly spoken of as excellent banjos in their price range, and they have the Deering name behind them. One day you will want to move up to a better banjo and if you want to sell your starter the Deering is going to hold its value better as well.
Bobby
SBPARK - Posted - 02/25/2011: 22:40:44
quote:
Originally posted by Ernest T Bass
must agree with bobbyE - deering goodtime on ebay rite now with p/u & hard case for $319 - sounds like a heck of a deal to me . . .
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...:MEWAX:IT
that's just an open back. i am looking for a resonator.
SBPARK - Posted - 02/25/2011: 22:47:28
plus, i just cannot get past the headstock of the older goodtime 2 banjos. they just look ridiculously cheesy to me.
mikehalloran - Posted - 02/25/2011: 22:49:58
A Goodtime 2?
Recording King RK-35 is your best bang for the buck.
bigfeller - Posted - 02/25/2011: 23:03:18
I agree with mikehalloran, the RK is the way to go out of the 4 you listed.
SBPARK - Posted - 02/25/2011: 23:05:57
so would $500 be a good deal for an RK-35 that is being sold as new but with cosmetic blems and a hardshell case?
Edited by - SBPARK on 02/25/2011 23:07:38
bigfeller - Posted - 02/25/2011: 23:14:15
Yeah, that's a good deal depending on how bad the blems are. They sell new for around $700 or so, if you can get one with a ding or two for $500, I'd grab it.
Edited by - bigfeller on 02/25/2011 23:17:54
SBPARK - Posted - 02/25/2011: 23:20:33
its blems with the inlays. here are a few pics:
SBPARK - Posted - 02/25/2011: 23:23:03
only thing that concerns me is the sellers other items are all also factory seconds, but apparently have excellent feedback and reputation.
Edited by - SBPARK on 02/25/2011 23:23:29
Grumpy1 - Posted - 02/25/2011: 23:51:15
Those blems wouldn't bother me and won't affect the playability at all. Throwing in a hard case is at least another $69. Have you been able to play it? If you like it I'd go for it if it was me. 
Banjov1 - Posted - 02/26/2011: 04:41:33
I wouldn't worry too much about the blems either. That's a pretty decent deal for a banjo with a tone ring, 3-ply maple rim, all the other traditional hardware and a case.
Don't know if you've seen this already, but it's Greg Rich's promo video for the series. The 35 is towards the very end... youtube.com/watch?v=4ibH9RPiVZA
BanjoFlyboy - Posted - 02/26/2011: 04:51:26
Dave Hum on the BHO plays a MB-250. I think you will be amazed at the sound he puts out. Of course a professional can make most banjos sound pretty good. Bottom line; it's all about the sound and playability.
majorhoople - Posted - 02/26/2011: 04:56:07
$500 is a terrific deal for the RK35. I paid that for a RK25. The RK35 is a lot more banjo!!!
yopasjim - Posted - 02/26/2011: 05:43:40
I would strongly suggest the Gold Tone BG 150 F. I just purchased one and I am loving it! Wow! Great deal! Quality instrument!
troy_nov1965 - Posted - 02/26/2011: 05:48:36
id go for a RK 35 also new or blemished
blw - Posted - 02/26/2011: 07:17:54
I also have recently purchased the Gold Tone BG 150f and have been very satisfied!
dpete210 - Posted - 02/26/2011: 07:28:11
With regard to the blemishes, the only negative I see is that you know they are there and your eye will often focus on them, whereas other folks will hardly ever not notice them, mostly because they won't be able to tell they are there. It's kind of like how your tongue just automatically seeks out a tooth that the filling fell out of or that got chipped. Only you will be conscious of those blems and if you can handle that, you might as well get the one with the inlay blems. If you are like a lot of folks who get bitten by the banjo bug, you'll soon be looking to "move up" to something else or to a banjo with a different sound. There are probably very few of us who have managed to find that "banjo for life" with our first or second banjo purchase. It is a journey, have fun and enjoy it! Good luck!
SBPARK - Posted - 02/26/2011: 07:51:31
well, this is all incredibly daunting. i know i may get a lot of negative replies to this, but i am really leaning toward going with a Mastercraft from thebanjohut.com. looking at a mastercraft classic in mahogony. What is leaning me toward ordering from these guys is that they actually set up the banjo before it's sent out, something i can do on guitars, but have no clue about with a banjo. i can adjust my own truss rods, acton, and have even levelled and dressed frets on an old tele, but have no idea how or where to start with a banjo, how to set the tension on the head, etc.
the mastercrafts are probably very similar to all the other imported banjos from countless other companies that offer beginner and mid-level banjos and just re-brand them with their own logo, including Fender, Epiphone, Morgan Monroe, etc. For $429 for the Mastercraft Classic seems like a nice price, comes with a hardshell case and more importantly a real set up from someone who knows how to set up a banjo properly. I guess what i am trying to say is i'd rather have a 'lower end' instrument that is set up optimally than a higher end instrument that isn't set up properly.
if you're interested, here's a ling to the banjo i am considering: thebanjohut.com/mastercraft_ba...assic.htm
slammer - Posted - 02/26/2011: 09:32:14
Hey Scott,
Looking at the parts list on the mastercraft, I has a rolled brass tone ring or rather it should say Hoop.
That is not the same thing as a REAL tone ring. It's very light compared to a real tone ring and will not give the same sound. Although not a bad deal, not the same when comparing apples to apples.
Best bang for your buck is The RK - 35 with the blemishes or a Epiphone MB-250 or the Fender FB 58.
The epiphone and the fender are basically the same jo except for some cosmetics. All three will hold their value and you will get most of your money back when it's time to upgrade. JMHO. I have owned the Epiphone and wish I never sold it. Good luck!!!
Slammer!!!
mike gregory - Posted - 02/26/2011: 09:38:37
quote:
Originally posted by BanjoFlyboy
Dave Hum on the BHO plays a MB-250. I think you will be amazed at the sound he puts out. Of course a professional can make most banjos sound pretty good. Bottom line; it's all about the sound and playability.
If ANY of my opinions were humble, this would be my humble opinion:
The most striking example of a professional being able to make a cheap banjo sound great,
is Guiness World Record contender and/or record holder Johnny Butten playing a banjo which I cobbled together out of
scrap lumber and mailing tape.youtube.com/watch?v=1FxfZ9yZ0PYSo, ignore the blems on the one, ignore the cheesy peghead on the other, and just get started on the joyfulness of having a banjo.
stelling man - Posted - 02/26/2011: 10:44:54
Scott, You made a wise choice, the RK will serve you well for many years..
STELLING MAN
john m - Posted - 02/26/2011: 11:44:15
It's not a scam...I've purchased from them before.
John
double E - Posted - 02/26/2011: 13:41:21
I played a new RK35 and a Deco King yesterday. $675.00 tag on the 35. I was very impressed with both of them for sound and playability, especially for the money. I wouldnt hold back on buying either of them.
RB-1 - Posted - 02/26/2011: 14:40:01
The RK-35 is in a different league altogether.
I just don't get it how they made a cheap banjo that good.....
alfiedog - Posted - 02/26/2011: 16:27:10
the Epiphone MB250 is in a different League to all the JOs in this Price range. I challenge anybody with any of the other JOs, Gold Tones, or whatever, to compete with my Epi. Its had a bit of Work, but i Paid $475.00 with a Levi Strap, and Shellcase. I have had really Good Banjo Players comment on how good this JO sounds. But and its a big but, dont Buy a new One they are S**T. Get an older one, i reckon they are a Million Times better !
SBPARK - Posted - 02/26/2011: 16:51:52
quote:
Originally posted by alfiedog
the Epiphone MB250 is in a different League to all the JOs in this Price range. I challenge anybody with any of the other JOs, Gold Tones, or whatever, to compete with my Epi. Its had a bit of Work, but i Paid $475.00 with a Levi Strap, and Shellcase. I have had really Good Banjo Players comment on how good this JO sounds. But and its a big but, dont Buy a new One they are S**T. Get an older one, i reckon they are a Million Times better !
my understanding is all of the beginner and mid level banjos (including epiphone, fender, etc.) are all made in the same factory and are just rebranded with whatever company buys them. not saying that the epiphone is not a bad banjo, because from what i have read and heard and read it's a great instrument, but the beginner and mid level instruments like the RK-20, mastercraft, epiphone, fender, Morgan Monroe, etc are pretty much the same thing. once set up properly i'm sure they are all great instruments.
I jsut went with the RK-35 because it seemed like a great price for a banjo that just had a few cosmetic blems but otherwise is as good as new and people seem to be blown away by the cost/value/performance of this particular banjo. i took it as an opportunity to get a banjo that i can grow with and hope it will pay off!
grich - Posted - 02/26/2011: 18:04:38
You won't be disappointed , with a good set-up it will sound as good as almost any pro level banjo out there.
Here's video I took two weeks ago with Jim Pankey playing a RK-35
youtube.com/watch?v=jSangi7KYiw
slammer - Posted - 02/27/2011: 05:08:48
Congrats on your purchase !!!
You won't be disappointed. Pick and enjoy the hell out of it!!!
Slammer!!!
alfiedog - Posted - 02/27/2011: 15:59:41
Yep enjoy your JO Mate, i know i Sing the Praises of my Old Epi, but thats my Bias coz i have one. I think most JOs would Sound OK, if Set up by someone who knows what they are doing. I visited a Local Music Shop yesterday, and it has a really good range of new, and second hand JOs in Stock, but to be quite honest none of the JOs i picked up Sounded Good, very Flat, Slack Heads, Old Strings, etc, etc. As i said enjoy Playing your Banjo, and stick at it.
5 finger ninja - Posted - 02/28/2011: 16:18:53
i just recently got my Recording King RK-35 and love it, well worth the 699.00
