rawchuck - Posted - 10/13/2015:  10:04:05

Hi all!

I play old time banjo, andI am interested in getting a 2nd banjo.  I already have an amazing Cedar Mountain L1 made by Lo Gordon.

But, I would like a 2nd banjo for a different sound, and to keep in a different tuning other than standard G.  This will help me on stage rather than needing to retune (right now, at shows I feel the need to play batches of songs in each tuning, which gets kind of dull sounding...I'd like to mix it up!)  Also, I want AT LEAST a 26.25 scale length.  My L1 has a 25.5 scale, and while it sounds great, I have problems curring through a band mix....hence the desire for a longer scale.

I have a line on a 1920 Vega Style M conversion, and I think Vegas are waaaay cool.  But, for practicality, would it be better to get a modern take on that design, like something from Bart Reiter, Rickard, or Ramsey?

Thanks in advance.

jbalch - Posted - 10/13/2015:  11:43:33

I too like to travel with a pair of banjos - one for G-tuning and another for double C.  But I do like them to be the same scale length for ease of transition back-and-forth. I keep matching pairs of Bart Reiter banjos for that purpose.

Vega conversions can be truly fantastic - depending on the quality of the neck and workmanship.  I've had some really good ones - and others that were just "so-so."  If I was unfamiliar with the neck maker - I'd want to play the banjo before committing.   But that can be a great way to go if you have found a really good one.

On the other hand, I am a big fan of Bart Reiter's banjos. I like them for the quality, consistency and performance. I think you get a LOT of bang for the buck with Bart's banjos.  They are very good values.  I like Bart's models with a whyte laydie tone ring for string band playing. 

Best wishes!

mikehalloran - Posted - 10/13/2015:  16:43:53

Bart Reiter Vega conversions are rarely offered for sale and he hasn't done them in decades. Those of us who own them keep a tight grip. I describe mine as merely fantastic.

Like the conversions, Bart has not offered a new Tubaphone in many years. But, like his conversions, they do show up now and then. The ones I have seen use a standard Gibson scale.

The correct Vega scale is 27" for the Professional (10 15/16") pot. There are many here who could do a nice conversion for you in that size or the 26 3/8 (more or less) Gibson scale. Vintage ODE, USA made Fender and others used the 27" scale.

Wildwood does a nice modern take on the Tubaphone using a block rim. There are five used ones in the classifieds right now (the Paragon has a flathead ring). A Minstrel, Balladeer, Heirloom or Troubador is a fine banjo.

wildwoodbanjos.com/traditional_banjos/

You can certainly make good music on the Deering Vega #2.

jdmc.com/product/D-V2.html

Edited by - mikehalloran on 10/13/2015 16:59:17

ceemonster - Posted - 10/13/2015:  17:43:44

Ramsey's standard scale for his 11-inch metal tone-ring banjos is 25.75 (which is why I love them.) He goes longer for the 12-inch metal tone ring banjos, though not to 27". Custom, would probly do anything you wanted, not sure.



Some of the modern Recording King banjos are around 27" or 27.25", btw. Not sure which models, but they start at 26 14" ish and some are 27 1/4" ish.

The Wildwood openbacks, which usually come with Wildwood's own tubaphone rings (but for their "exotic wood" woodies), are about 26 1/4. They're great.  Pisgah does a variety of scales including 26 1/4.

Edited by - ceemonster on 10/13/2015 17:46:19

mikehalloran - Posted - 10/13/2015:  19:41:43

The Recording King Elite75/76 and Elite customs have a 27 1/2" scale.

Edited by - mikehalloran on 10/13/2015 19:43:04

rawchuck - Posted - 10/13/2015:  21:14:42

Thanks for the replies! FYI, any scale length of 26.25 or greater will suffice!