pasdimo - Posted - 03/26/2018:  13:31:05

I just tried out this golden eagle for sale :
rfcharle.com/HTML/PhotosInstru...r-95.html
It just sounds amazing, the best banjo I ever played (but I'm not among the most experienced), I do love it. The only problem is the price : about $2700. I don't really know the value of Richelieu's but for me the quality of this one (building and sound) can be compared to Ome, which is in that kind of price. I think it has a "lady lyte" tone ring (see photo), which looks like a Whyte lady, but not sure.
So I wanted to know more about Richelieu, and I found this one also :
sprucetreemusic.com/product/ri...o-c-1990/
Very different (I like plain banjos), a different tone ring and... a different price. But can it be compared ? I was said any Richelieu is pretty good, specially archtop.
I'd like to know opinion from more expert than me.

 

AndrewD - Posted - 03/27/2018:  07:26:21

Surprised nobody has responded.

Charle is a wonderful shop. I used to "faire du leche vitrines" there regularly when I lived in Paris many years ago - But in a smart and expensive part of Paris so prices are high for France and very high compared to the States.

Richelieu banjos are, I think, no longer in business. I've never had my hands on one but they have a very good reputation.

The one you sent the link to is much plainer than the Charle one.

Bottom line is, I think, it's not a bargain but he's not robbing you at that price in that place. If the banjo speaks to you and you can afford it then go for it. When are you going to see another one ?

pasdimo - Posted - 03/27/2018:  08:31:47

Well, I played this golden eagle again. It does have great qualities, which hide... defects also. First, it lacks homogeneity : the first strings sounds incredibly but the others much less. The sound looses its brightness at some spots on the neck, and the very high register is clearly desapointing. Even adjusting the tpc. Set up seems very correct too. At this price one can get something less frustrating.
I wonder if putting a tenor neck on my Ome juniper plectrum (all mahogany, silverspun tone ring) would be a better option.

Fud - Posted - 03/27/2018:  11:49:04

Richelieu banjos was in business almost 50 years. CC Richelieu died early in this century, and the people who took over for him closed the business around 2011. No history of the business has been written, which is a shame. CC was a showman, performer, and the engine behind the business. There is a youtube of him performing, it is not hard to find. He said in an interview that he knew and performed over 5000 songs. Apparently, he was a hear-it, play-it kind of guy.

They made quality banjos from very plain to very ornate with commensurate pricing. The 1000 series was the plainest. The 3000s all had the scrimshaw-style inlays you see on the banjo at Sprucetree Music. The Ne Plus Ultra banjos were much like the celebrated Bacon and Day banjos of the 20s/30s. They did custom work, carving, engraving, gold plating; I think you could order whatever you wanted. The Lyte Lady tone ring was popular in the tenor and plectrum banjos of the day, but you could also get an archtop or a flathead. The flatheads were modeled on the Silver Bell tone rings. I don't know for sure, but I don't think they offered a Gibson-style tone ring. They made 5 string banjos, too, and I have seen pictures of some wonderfully turned out custom instruments. Lots of pictures on the internet.

Clearly, you live close to Paris since you have played the 4000 series Golden Eagle banjo. I'd guess there aren't very many in all of France, so the price is not surprising. It has the original bridge on it, though the head has been changed. I would guess that a skilled luthier could solve the problems you mention. I have also seen 4000 series with archtop and flathead tone rings. You just don't see any of them very often. If you keep watch on the BHO classifieds there are usually 1 or 2 Richelieu banjos for sale. A month ago there were 3; today, none. You could also watch eBay, where maybe half a dozen a year show up.

Tim Allan has performed and recorded on a Richelieu tenor for many years, as has Johnny Baier, the current president of the American Banjo Museum, although I think he now plays a vintage Gibson. There are videos of both performers available on youtube.

If you find a Richy that you like, buy it. You won't be disappointed. Good luck in your search.

Larry

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/28/2018:  07:52:54

quote:

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Originally posted by pasdimo

....

I wonder if putting a tenor neck on my Ome juniper plectrum (all mahogany, silverspun tone ring) would be a better option.

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That’s easy enough to test. Capo it so that the string length is close to 23”. That’s what a tenor neck will sound like, more or less. 

pasdimo - Posted - 03/28/2018:  12:32:23

It's what I did of course. Not bad at all, knowing that in this case, the strings tension is not optimal and the neck resonance would be different. I'm reflecting on this option. Otherwise, how much can I sell this Ome juniper plectrum (all mahogany, silverspun tone ring) in absolutely mint condition ?