bungeedog - Posted - 09/12/2011:  20:59:32

Hi all,  I'm headed to Puerto Rico for a while in January and want to take along a banjo - I am a rank beginner, and know nothing of the reality of short scale instruments, although the idea of crowded frets on a short neck sounds like a neophytes nightmare.  My only banjo is a Flesher Mad Moon - and that isn't going to get slung on a plane and bashed around in rental cars for weeks on end.  I've looked at them all - and could really use some advice...here. I'd like to spend less, not more, since I went into hock for the Flesher, but it has to be an instrument that isn't challenging to play, since I can barely play period.   Anyone with wisdom to share? It simply needs to be small enough to be easily carryable...and something a beginner, who does most of her banging around in G or G modal, can deal with...

gdoc - Posted - 09/12/2011:  21:35:00

I have flown a lot with a Deering Goodtime, the basic one, in a soft case.  I've always been able to care it on the plane except for one time.  That time, they told me to "Gate Check" the banjo, which means I carry it to the door of the plane, and they take it from there and put it in checked luggage AFTER everything else has been loaded, and return it to the cabin door when the plane lands.  I've had no problems at all.  And if I did, at the cost of a Goodtime, it wouldn't ruin my day.  Well, ok, ruin my day, but not like loosing my Gibson.

Alwasy a chance something can happen, but don't loose too much sleep over it.  Odds are well in your favor.

Edited:  I was flying to Colombia, so it would be much the same as your flights.

Edited by - gdoc on 09/12/2011 21:36:03

Grumpy1 - Posted - 09/12/2011:  22:00:09

  Take a look at   backyardmusic.com .   inexpensive, light and short scale for 100 bucks.  Not everyone's cup of tea but might serve your purposes.  That little girl in "Girl gets banjo" posting plays one and it sounds pretty good.  Have a good, safe  trip.

cockneybanjo - Posted - 09/13/2011:  04:07:00

my experience of flying internationally is that there is no one answer. Most of the time you will be able to carry a full-length banjo on, or gate-check it with no problem, however if that airport or airline wishes to MAKE it a problem there isn't a great deal you can do about it. If you have a good-quality lightweight case - I use a Gator for this - you can check it in if you have to.

I would say that I find a full-length banjo something of a nuisance for long trips involving hire cars and other luggage. An A-scale ( = 23" scale ) one is much more portable and little different to play. Gold Tone and Deering both list instruments this length. I don't recommend the C-scale 20" ones, especially the ones with an 11" pot; if you are going to a 20" instrument, get an 8" pot one and live with the higher-than-usual tuning.

In fact if you tune it aDADE it is just like playing a full-scale one with capo at 2nd fret, which you may well do anyway if you are a clawhammer player ( which your reference to G Modal suggests )

Edited by - cockneybanjo on 09/13/2011 04:11:31

peewee - Posted - 09/13/2011:  06:10:46

If you can afford a new or used Tranjo that's my vote. In my opinion it is the best most durable travel size banjo on the market.  Its light, short, full scale, and very durable.  The only downsides are its a bit expensive, and its not as loud if you play in a jam environment.

Grinnin&Pickin - Posted - 09/13/2011:  06:27:33

I agree with Peewee. I have a Tranjo 6.0 that I bought here on the BHO and it is great for traveling. When I fly, I generally pack the neck in my checked bag (buried between layers of clothes) and I carry the body of the Tranjo in my carry on. I have never had any issues with TSA checkpoints. It goes back together quickly and gives me the chance to practice while traveling.

bricklifter - Posted - 09/13/2011:  17:47:35

I have a tranjo 8.1--they are nice--neck comes off for travel.  Not inexpensive but well made.  Tone is 8.5/10--very good but not great.  Built like a tank.

Chris

daytripper - Posted - 09/14/2011:  03:20:53

I've traveled with both a Tranjo and Goodtime (openback). The Goodtime sounds good, and it light, but it's still luggage to haul about. The Tranjo at least as light but fits in carry-on luggage when collapsed. If you don't collapse it, it's still easier the carry that a Goodtime because it's a physically shorter & flatter instrument.

On the downside, the Tranjo isn't as loud. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - if you're in a hotel room, for instance. The sound would be fine for playing in a room etc on your own, but not loud enough for a noisy environment like a jam. But of course, it's not designed to be. That said, the tone of the thing is very nice; it's nice and snappy and sounds like a quieter banjo rather than a muted banjo (which I think sounds a little like a harp).

If you're going to be in hotels etc., then the Tranjo also has a 'silent head' option, which makes it very quiet indeed. You can fit a pickup and headphone amp to the silent head so you can listen clearly, but to all around it's about a noisy as an electric guitar without amplification (I think this is fine and don't use the headphone amp much). I actually use the silent head at home regularly as it means I can play at night without bothering anyone next door. Swapping the heads takes less than 5 minutes.

Both instruments are very well put together & a joy to play. The difference is this - the Goodtime is a normal 'jo which travels quite well, while the Tranjo is designed for travel,and does so superbly - albeit with a loss of volume. I'm very happy traveling with my Tranjo.

bungeedog - Posted - 09/14/2011:  19:15:51

I'm not at the jamming point with this...if someone else picks up an instrument I get all out of whack, so jamming, and loudness, really don't matter. My style, such as it is at this moment, is pretty light, apparently. Anyone familiar with the tranjo express? I can't open his video and can't find any others on You Tube...they are appealing for the reasons everyone lists. I also looked at Savannah - inexpensive, not too big. Thanks for the advice, everyone. I know this territory has been covered in other posts, but everyone's experience level is different....I would be "raw neophyte" pretty much, but, dare I say, a serious raw neophyte? I will keep digging. It would be nice to try them, but where I live the music stores don't have this sort of stuff on hand, so I must buy without seeing or holding it....always harder. Thanks again.  Oh, and yes, frailing/clawhammer all the way. I'm fascinated with the African American and Mountain history of the music, I tend to like the stuff that sounds really old....

Edited by - bungeedog on 09/14/2011 19:18:50