G - Posted - 11/13/2011:  21:18:25

The Pope - Posted - 11/13/2011:  22:05:45

Earl Scruggs: Prewar Granada  

Old Man - Posted - 11/14/2011:  04:20:37

They all sound like a banjo.

un5trung - Posted - 11/14/2011:  06:06:58

Maybe it's just me, but when I talk about gear I'm interested in sharing what gear I like using (and why) and hearing the same from others.  As to the gear used by professionals -- does it really matter?  I mean, Harry Reser could play a Goodtime off the shelf and make it sound golden.  Someone in another forum asked what picks Mike Marshall used.  Who cares?!  Mike could use dental floss and make it sound better than me with the most expensive Blue Chip special!

I don't mean to be critical here, and I do understand curiosity.  All through Bela's Africa movie I kept wondering what kinds of banjo he was carrying around, and I don't even play bluegrass!  I =did= wonder why he hadn't chosen an open back to drag around the jungle but hey, maybe he Has People to tote his 50-lb. resonator across the savannah.

What I do worry about is when people discuss gear as though it is the key to success, or to a particular sound.  Gear plays a role, but both success and sound come from a combination of a) natural talent and b) years and years of playing 12 hours a day.  So from a purely speculative standpoint wondering who plays what is an interesting game; it's one reason some of us subscribe to the Fretboard Journal. I'm wary, however, of the suggestion that playing with this pick, those strings, or that banjo will make any serious impact on our ability as musicians.

Now I'm off to spend another $30 on another batch of interesting picks -- Dave Rawlings plays with . . . 

;-)

answerguru - Posted - 11/14/2011:  06:09:23

Chris Pandolfi of the Infamous Stringdusters: Huber Pandolfi Model

Edited by - answerguru on 11/14/2011 06:10:04

G - Posted - 11/14/2011:  06:16:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Pope

Earl Scruggs: Prewar Granada  

---

What ?  Earl doesn't play a Hondo?!   I thought ... 

earlsgranada - Posted - 11/14/2011:  06:29:06

Eddie Adcock : Stelling banjos

Jim Mills : 1939 Gibson RB-75, 2004 Huber Jim Mills model

Earl Scruggs: 1934 Gibson Granada

Sonny Osborne: 1934 Gibson Granada (Sonny's and Earl's are one serial number apart from each other)

Ron Block: 1926 Gibson Granada, 2008 Huber Ron Block model

Tony Trischka: Deering Tenbrooks Model, Deering Saratoga Star model

Ned Luberecki: Deering Saratoga Star

Alan Munde: Stelling Staghorn

Bill Evans: many, but now, primarily Kel Kroyden banjos

Casey Henry: Gibson RB-11, Kel Kroyden Casey Henry model

Murphy Henry: Stelling Bellflower

Dock Boggs: 1928 Gibson RB-1

Alan O'Bryant: Gibson Style 5 flathead

Dewitt "Snuffy" Jenkins: Gibson RB-4

Steve Sparkman: Frank Neat "Stanleytone" archtop #13 out of 50

Ron Stewart: many Gibsons, but also Yates mahogany and maple Ron Stewart model with Yates rim and V33 tone ring

Noam Pikelny: Gibson TB-7

Steve Huber: All of his own banjos, but his prize banjo: Gibson RB-75 with style 7 neck (a neck like on Noam's banjo)

Cory Walker: Huber Vintage style 3, 2002 Gibson Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe

Tom Adams: 1981 Gold Star GF-100W

Terry Baucom: Deering Baucom model, 1962 Gibson RB-250 bowtie

Ralph Stanley: 1927 Gibson RB-3

Don Reno: 1934 Gibson RB-75 with style 4 neck (traded to Don by Earl Scruggs in 1948)

Jason Burleson: Huber Lancaster with gold plating instead of regular nickel

Tony Ellis: Stelling banjos

Don Stover: custom "Stover" banjo made by Paul Tester of Clinton, Maryland

Edited by - earlsgranada on 11/14/2011 06:38:33

Douch - Posted - 11/14/2011:  07:24:14

Eddie Adcock plays a Deering Golden Era.  I'm sure he's played a ton of different model and brand banjos in his day but I believe his current model to be a GE.

DeanT - Posted - 11/14/2011:  07:34:11

Taylor Swift: Deering Boston B-6

Winston Marshall: Deering Sierra, Gold Tone EBM

Don Flemmons: Deering Sierra Plectrum

Keith Urban: Deering Boston B-6

Zach Brown: Deering Boston B-6

Edited by - DeanT on 11/14/2011 07:49:36

G - Posted - 11/14/2011:  07:37:02

Thanks everyone :)  Big thanks to earlsgranada.  You must have done a poll!!

G - Posted - 11/14/2011:  07:59:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by un5trung

Maybe it's just me, but when I talk about gear I'm interested in sharing what gear I like using (and why) and hearing the same from others.  As to the gear used by professionals -- does it really matter?  ...

... What I do worry about is when people discuss gear as though it is the key to success, or to a particular sound.

---

earlsgranada - Posted - 11/14/2011:  09:46:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by G

Thanks everyone :)  Big thanks to earlsgranada.  You must have done a poll!!

---

Haha, thanks! I just kind of got crazy, and I tried to name as much as I could!

earlsgranada - Posted - 11/14/2011:  09:46:46

Sammy Shelor: 1941 Gibson RB-12, Huber Shelor model

banjonz - Posted - 11/14/2011:  10:55:39

I'm a semi professional player and I play a Gibson ESS! Does that count?

mebacon - Posted - 11/14/2011:  13:03:58

Murphy Henry actually plays a Murphyflower which is a modified Stelling Masterflower with a radiused Gibson type neck on it.  She also plays Dalton Brill's old Gibson which I don't know much about but is as good a sounding banjo as I have heard.

banjomule - Posted - 11/14/2011:  15:57:59

A few more Stelling guys:

Dave Carrol of Trampled by Turtles: Goldencross

Scott Avett plays a varitey of banjos, but often times a Crusader and I've seen one video on a Staghorn

Ed Helms, from the office, plays a Goldencross

banjomule - Posted - 11/14/2011:  15:59:32

Oh yeah, doesn't Earl play a recent Scruggs model more often these days than the pre-war?

That's what he was playing when I saw him in Ft. Collins, CO last summer anyway.

davepicks5 - Posted - 11/14/2011:  16:01:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by earlsgranada

Sammy Shelor: 1941 Gibson RB-12, Huber Shelor model

---

 Craig

I don't think Sammy owns the TT any longer, he also has a prewar 75, the Huber Shelor model is built to a close replica of that 75.

David

DHoffmeyer - Posted - 11/14/2011:  16:56:14

I think Noam's is a PB, not a TB-- and the neck (by Robin Smith) inlay is more like the typical 12/18 fingerboard, not like Huber's, which is the bowtie style 7 inlay --- splitting hairs

Béla Fleck - original flathead style 75 with a Monteleone neck.  This one still has water marks in the resonator.

Quick, somebody do Curtis and JD's banjos

beegee - Posted - 11/14/2011:  18:16:38

Bob Gaddis- Harry Lane Top-Tension Model G walnut/abalone

G - Posted - 11/14/2011:  21:24:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjonz

I'm a semi professional player and I play a Gibson ESS! Does that count?

---

Hey banjonz ... this is the BHO ... there ARE no rules !!

phischer - Posted - 11/14/2011:  22:07:19

When I was in Portland working in a well known shop I got to see Tony Furtado's ESS up close as well as meet Tony. It's seen some pretty hard times and has a lot of tape holding stuff together! Not what I would have expected! I wish I would have taken a picture. I don't think anyone here would hardly believe it. He was in having a split internal pickup and bridge style pickup installed as well as a setup. BTW Tony is a super nice guy!

bhrb75 - Posted - 11/15/2011:  05:05:58

Dean,

J.D. Crowe- 1937 RB75 - Flying eagle neck, leaves and bows headstock
1933 Rb-3, 20-Hole tone ring, purchased in 1967
193? Pb-3 THE BANGER....need I say more?

Curtis...1930 Granada "Lefty
...1940? Rb75 "Betsy

Bonus...

Sonny Osborne...Granada...9584-2, again need I say more?
Rb3- Full flying eagle, the "Rocky Top Banjo"

Wynn Osborne...used to play a 1930's Pb-Granada, but used Sonny's Granada to record his album "Five String Magic"

Charlie Cushman...1930's style 11, "Frosty" a baaaaad mamma jamma!
1930's Pb-3 Wreath
mid 30's Pb-3 Flathead
late 30's early 40's Rb-75, same lot as "Betsy"

Hoke Jenkins-while playing with Jim and Jesse circa, 1954...Rb-6 checkerboard

Joe Medford- 1930's Rb-1


I think that's enough 'fer now.

Brandon

Viejo - Posted - 11/15/2011:  05:39:02

I"m in the UnStrung and G camp. A good player can make a 2x4 sound good. Take a listen to Zepp's site where he plays "Home Sweet Home" if my memory is right, on a home-made banjo he took in trade. Pictures too. He sounds great.
Those that can play well (I'm not one of them) have the experience and technique to appreciate the difference between an economy import and a high-end instrument. Myself, I would love a Jimmy Cox instrument but I have no illusions that it's going to make me sound better!
When I saw Steve Martin on stage, he had eight banjos on stands behind him. Most artists have more than one instrument on stage. I'm sure that makes it easier if you can have different tunings at the reach of a hand, or if a wire breaks.
Anyway, this is a fine topic.

Richard

billygeeman - Posted - 11/15/2011:  06:39:21

Dana Cupp still has his original RB-4 Flathead/ Five string (9639-6)that he played for years with Bill Monroe and the Osborne Brothers. He has also played a Osborne Chief and RK scout. He has been playing a Hatfield Celebrity model for about the last three years.

Prof - Posted - 11/15/2011:  07:33:19

Lynwood Lunsford plays an "Axton" -- one he builds.  From his profile: a "walnut replica of a 1933 style 4."

Martian - Posted - 11/15/2011:  07:35:50

Taylor Swift plays a guitar, sorry. I wonder,if she played a 6 string fiddle, with frets, tuned like a guitar, with a flatpick, if people on Fiddle Hangout, would all be saying she played a fiddle

Bruce4501 - Posted - 11/15/2011:  10:48:38

To diverge away from Taylor Swift............................................THANK GOODNESS!............

Kenny Ingram (Larry Stephenson Band) was/is playing Sonny Osborne's custom Vega from the mid 60's.

I understand, of of recent times, a new banjo has been seen/heard in his expert hands that the sound is hard to be believed for a new banjo!

Has anyone heard or seen this new rooster in the pen???

Edited by - Bruce4501 on 11/15/2011 10:50:15

Thor - Posted - 11/15/2011:  13:16:35

Scott Vestal plays a Stealth.

ColdFingers-alaska - Posted - 11/15/2011:  14:07:53

I'm stumped so I have to ask. What kind of banjo is Pam Gadd playing @ 2:30 in this video. The girl can pick, sing and write!

youtube.com/watch?v=YMxZy1iTWj...e=related

gunnah - Posted - 11/15/2011:  18:35:53

Scott Vestall....Stealth of course. So does Dave Johnson from Yonder

JRushing - Posted - 11/15/2011:  20:37:20

Bela plays a Deering Tenbrooks, and a Deering John Hartford. I also know hes currently having a Bishline built.

Tony Ellis also plays a Deering John Hartford besides his Stelling Tony Ellis model.

Rhiannon Giddens plays a Deering John Hartford.

Edited by - JRushing on 11/15/2011 20:48:37

Sally Goodin - Posted - 11/16/2011:  03:00:02

Doesn't Kristen Scott Benson play an Osborne Chief? Anyone know what banjo Janet Davis plays? And I would love to know what Lynn Morris played? Thanks. Oh, and I play a Nechville; have a Gibson copy (Crowe ring; Hatfield neck; Gibson resonator and rim); a Deering John Hartford; and my new Stelling custom Murphy Flower should be ready any day now! Need to start thinning them out; anyone see anything they might be interest in? Let me know.

robbyboone - Posted - 11/16/2011:  12:49:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sally Goodin



Doesn't Kristen Scott Benson play an Osborne Chief? Anyone know what banjo Janet Davis plays? And I would love to know what Lynn Morris played? Thanks. Oh, and I play a Nechville; have a Gibson copy (Crowe ring; Hatfield neck; Gibson resonator and rim); a Deering John Hartford; and my new Stelling custom Murphy Flower should be ready any day now! Need to start thinning them out; anyone see anything they might be interest in? Let me know.

---

 I don't know about now.....but when I was around Janet Davis a few years back, she played a new Checkerboard Style 6 and her pre-war Style 4 conversion. But since she owns a banjo store, she can probably play anything she wants too!

miiloo - Posted - 11/16/2011:  13:31:19

As for Eddie Adcock, on the classic Folkways Country Gentlemen albums he was playing an Epiphone archtop.  I think he still has it.

Regards,

Milo

earlsgranada - Posted - 11/16/2011:  18:46:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1four5

Taylor Swift: Deering Boston B-6

Winston Marshall: Deering Sierra, Gold Tone EBM

Don Flemmons: Deering Sierra Plectrum

Keith Urban: Deering Boston B-6

Zach Brown: Deering Boston B-6

---

You're absolutely right, Dean! Taylor, Zac, and Keith all play Deering Boston banjos, but I've also seen Keith play with a Maple Blossom 6-string as well. Nashville country musicians sure do have a lot of people who play the banjo at their venues, that is, if they have a banjo player, or if they choose to have one in their band. 

One of my favorite singers in country music today, Miranda Lambert, has a member who plays lap steel, banjo, guitar, and sings vocals, and his name is Scotty Wray. Scotty plays a custom Gold Tone 6-string.

So, I'll guess I'll add some more to my wide knowledge of banjo players and their instruments.

Scotty Wray (plays with country artist Miranda Lambert) Miranda Lambert in the studio has worked with Randy Scruggs, one of Earl's sons.

Danny Rader (Jason Aldean)

Ben Clark (Taylor Swift) Ben is an amazing guy, and I like his style of teaching, via Youtube.

Brian Nutter (Carrie Underwood/Kellie Pickler/Keith Urban)

Ilya Toshinsky (Studio musician) Just to name a few he's recorded with, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley

Bryan Sutton has played with Taylor Swift, Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert, just a few more.

Mark Casstevens ~ Ray Stevens, Cledus T. Judd, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley

Adam Steffey and Jim Van Cleve have worked with Carrie Underwood, and played on her song, "Don't Forget To Remember Me".

Nathan Chapman played banjo with Taylor on her latest records, "Sparks Fly" and "Fearless".

Wanda Vick ~ Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean    Wanda, by the way, plays a five string banjo for country records instead of many nowadays, on a six-string banjo.

Pam Gadd ~ Terri Clark, The Judds, Faith Hill

Thanks.

~Craig

Edited by - earlsgranada on 11/16/2011 18:51:05

DeanT - Posted - 11/16/2011:  19:21:34

Thanks for some great info Craig!
BTW, there is a great "artist" page on the Deering website Here. I didn't know Rod Stewart played banjo!

robbif - Posted - 11/17/2011:  07:02:57

Martian - Posted - 11/17/2011:  07:20:25

Most of the "artists" play banjos by companys who endorse them, and give them a banjo, this was true of my buddy, who was given a brand new granada by Gibson in which he had to play every time at the opry, he also told me, he did not play it on the road, and he did not play it in jamds, and he did not record with it. He had an origianl 30' RB3 for that. Oh , and he told me the granada was an okay banjo

f5loar - Posted - 11/17/2011:  08:42:46

Many pros listed with their banjo of choice in the Pete Wernick "master of the banjo" book. 

southerndrifter - Posted - 11/17/2011:  16:00:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by miiloo

As for Eddie Adcock, on the classic Folkways Country Gentlemen albums he was playing an Epiphone archtop.  I think he still has it.

Regards,

Milo

---

 Eddie's Epiphone was originally a tenor. I think Tom Morgan built the 5-string neck for it. It seems I remember it being said that the banjo was broken/dis-assembled or otherwise done away with, many years ago.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 11/17/2011:  16:44:56

quote:

---

Originally posted by southerndrifter

quote:

---

Originally posted by miiloo

As for Eddie Adcock, on the classic Folkways Country Gentlemen albums he was playing an Epiphone archtop.  I think he still has it.

Regards,

Milo

---

 Eddie's Epiphone was originally a tenor. I think Tom Morgan built the 5-string neck for it. It seems I remember it being said that the banjo was broken/dis-assembled or otherwise done away with, many years ago.

---

 hey lynwood,, i heard he destroyed it himself after a show somewhere.... it was like humpty dumpty it was never put together again.

what does mike munford play?

 terry martin plays a 1932 tb-11 conversion.   (ole blue).

terry m

flatthead - Posted - 11/17/2011:  17:24:32

It seems I remember Hangout  member and general all around cool guy Reed Martin knows the story of the Adcock Epiphone,,,,he told me many years ago, but I can't remember the details.  Hopefully, he will chime in.

Banjo Mack Daddy Mike Munford plays several different prewar flathead Gibsons

robbif - Posted - 11/18/2011:  04:46:25

You can hear Bill Keith, JD Crowe, Tony Trischka, and Mike Munford talk about their banjos on the Grey Fox 2011 Masters Stage...

HERE.

NCjones - Posted - 11/21/2011:  11:23:12

+1

quote:

---

Originally posted by Martian

Taylor Swift plays a guitar, sorry. I wonder,if she played a 6 string fiddle, with frets, tuned like a guitar, with a flatpick, if people on Fiddle Hangout, would all be saying she played a fiddle

---

ColdFingers-alaska - Posted - 12/27/2011:  13:29:23

This is the only video I have seen of Alison playing her Nechville. It sounds pretty good through a microphone. Alison is just mesmerizing  to watch. She is in a league of her own.

youtube.com/watch?v=qrBUOIQttf...e=related

EggerRidgeBoy - Posted - 12/27/2011:  14:54:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by earlsgranada

Earl Scruggs: 1934 Gibson Granada

Sonny Osborne: 1934 Gibson Granada (Sonny's and Earl's are one serial number apart from each other)

---

 A relatively minor point, but hasn't Joe Spann's recent research placed Earl's and Sonny's Granada's (and many other prewars) a few years earlier?  In this case 1930, I think?

Edited by - EggerRidgeBoy on 12/27/2011 14:56:26

EggerRidgeBoy - Posted - 12/27/2011:  15:45:10

Ralph Stanley started out on an RB-2, I believe, later switching to a style 5 conversion.  For the past 25+ years he has been playing Stanleytone models made by Frank Neat.  Among quite a few other banjos (prewar RB-4 and style 6, Stellings, Goldstars, etc.) - he has never been closely associated with a single instrument the way many others famous players are.

(As long as I am posting, the editor in me must correct my above post to read "Granadas", not "Granada's".  One disadvantage of the 15 minute rule.)

Edited by - EggerRidgeBoy on 12/27/2011 15:59:13

jimh269b - Posted - 12/27/2011:  17:10:00

im not a pro,but turned down a few jobs playing,but i play a 1925 gibson granda mastertone,s/n 8208,orginal ball bearing head