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lazlototh - Posted - 09/28/2024: 07:45:36
Another spin on this whole conversation. A question: Tony prefers to use his current Deering over this one? If I was thinking about this, I would want to try the Deering to compare, given its cost is a whole lot less. The provenance is certainly a significant value but as a player this should be a consideration.
jellowaydan - Posted - 09/28/2024: 17:31:44
Consider the facts. A Deering has a different tone than a pre war Gibson. Just different, not bad but different. BUT, a scratch, or any unforeseen accident to a $82,000 instrument vs a $10,000 instrument is obvious. Deering still makes great banjos and can repair them, but how much do accidents devalue one-of-a-kind instruments.
LouZee Picker - Posted - 09/29/2024: 11:17:15
quote:
Originally posted by banjoT1
I may be taking a curve in the thread here but I’ve been waiting for a decent time to interject some 2 cents worth for what 2 cents is worth, about aspirations and criticisms regarding your competency as a player and what banjo you deserve to own – or, as regarding ‘pre-war snobs’.
In my opinion, what Page said above about his first pre-war flathead >
….“ I would not have had the pleasure I received from playing and owning that banjo.”
…. (and)
….“I'm but an adequate player but the happiness I know from playing old Gibsons, and the personal relationships I've kindled from like minded banjo obsessives - cannot be valued in dollars.”
In my thinking, Page, in a few good words sums up a certain personal joy, quiet pride, appreciation for, emotional comfort, [etc.], for owning specific banjos - pre-war Gibson's in particular.
I’ve heard but never held, played, or necessarily aspired to own any ‘respectable’ pre-war Gibson banjo but from time to time on BHO, those folks that do are ridiculed as ‘pre-war snobs’ who are chasing after a sound that doesn’t exist.
But my point of this post (the 2 cents worth) is that one’s ‘certain personal joy, quiet pride, appreciation for, emotional comfort, self-entitlement, [etc.], of ‘owning’ or being the ‘caretaker’ of anything (tangible or otherwise) is entirely sufficient to just do it if all the other relevant stars are in alignment.
Have at it and enjoy your banjo, your family, your Porsche, your downtime, your home, your work, quality preferences, as much as you can – perhaps restricted only by restraining order, parole, resources, guilt, etc.
banjoT3, Great post & well explained ! I first met Page initially through a BHO classified transaction years ago. And since we both have acquired ole Flatheads with the same F.O.N. number have become good friends! I know Page very well now, what Page stated in his post was: Page sharing his heart.
He's definitely not one of the prewar snobs.
Leslie R - Posted - 09/30/2024: 12:20:03
For myself, I am not going to accept the premise that an individual who recognizes and appreciates the prewar sound, deserves to be labeled a snob.
banjoT1 - Posted - 09/30/2024: 16:59:42
Leslie........
I hope you're not understanding the meaning of the "I ’ve heard..." paragraph at my first post on page 2.
And second........ folks everywhere get grouped by all sorts of labels no matter what. Are you a Chevy or Ford guy type snob ? Are you a Dallas Cowboys snob ?
....don't matter. We all have preferences and loyalties. Generally speaking, I actually don't know too many 'snobs' but let's, you and I, forgive those folks that are.
Barretone - Posted - 10/02/2024: 11:43:01
What Keith said.
andyctas - Posted - 10/02/2024: 19:10:58
From memory Tony was playing a Tokai when he appeared with his band Skyline at the Edale Bluegrass Festival in the UK maybe late70's early 80's. Later Sonny Osborne was I think involved when Tony bought the PB-3 conversion so there's another great name link. That maybe is where the Tokai neck came from...............
Dave1climber - Posted - 10/02/2024: 19:29:26
I live very close to Elderly, and have had the pleasure of playing that banjo. That banjo almost plays itself, it is setup what I would call perfect for this player.
As most players know that tone, timing, and taste are in the hand of the player. A good player will love this banjo. A player such as myself would become a much better player because they would not be able to put it down.
I wish I could afford it.
Toshi Tsuchida - Posted - 10/05/2024: 09:02:23
Let me add some information about the neck of this PB-3 conversion. It is from a 1978 Tokai T-1200RW, and is 46 years old. The T-1200RW was given to Tony Trischka when he toured in Japan by Tokai Musical Instruments on November 12, 1978, for the promotion of banjo sales. 1978 was the year that the Gold Star GF100 and T-1200R series banjos were both launched. This banjo can be seen on the cover of Tony's Fiddle Tunes For Banjo album, released in 1981. On the front, Bill Keith is holding the banjo, surrounded by Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck. On the back, Tony and Bela are each holding the same banjo. Bela is especially posing. In the photo you can see the Remo head as it was when Tokai gifted it, proving that this banjo was truly an Tokai banjo and that it had contact with three leading melodic style banjo players. This photo was probably taken in late 1980, which would mean he had owned this banjo for two years at this point. What strikes me is that he was using this banjo extensively during this time, as the stains on the banjo head indicate. Each of the three recorded tunes on different dates and in different locations, and these photos were likely taken when the three got together for the album photoshoot, so this is not proof that Tony recorded with this banjo. Continuing on from this thread about the PB-3 (he states in MASTERS OF THE 5-STRING BANJO that he acquired this banjo in 1983), Tony poses with a Gibson wreath neck banjo on his 1985 Hill Country album. If this banjo is a PB-3, then based on the thread's testimony, the neck would have been intact even in 1986. Either way, it proves that Tokai (Gold Star) and Prewar Gibson necks are compatible, even though the Tokai banjo uses metric threads. On the day Tony was photographed with the T-1200RW, he recorded an album for the Japanese market with Peter Rowan and others, the BLUEGRASS ALBUM. This album was later released on Sugar Hill as PETER ROWAN with Red Hot Pickers. I hope this post has enriched the history of bluegrass music and the banjo.
Old Hickory - Posted - 10/05/2024: 10:18:12
quote:
Originally posted by lazlototh
Another spin on this whole conversation. A question: Tony prefers to use his current Deering over this one?
Tony has been playing banjos other than his pre-war conversion for many years now. He was playing and endorsing Deering banjos long before they made his current $17,000 Tony Trischka Golden Clipper or the less expensive $5600 Silver Clipper (one of which he also owns).
At camp 10 years ago, he was playing his then fairly new Roll's (Czech) gold-plated two-piece flange banjo. He's used all of these in his ArtistWorks teaching videos as well as his older Deering Tenbrooks (or maybe it's a Saratoga Star).
He apparently isn't wedded to either the sound or mystique of pre-war Gibson.
Ira Gitlin - Posted - 10/06/2024: 05:57:56
quote:
Originally posted by Old Hickory
quote:
Originally posted by lazlototh
Another spin on this whole conversation. A question: Tony prefers to use his current Deering over this one?
Tony has been playing banjos other than his pre-war conversion for many years now. He was playing and endorsing Deering banjos long before they made his current $17,000 Tony Trischka Golden Clipper or the less expensive $5600 Silver Clipper (one of which he also owns).
At camp 10 years ago, he was playing his then fairly new Roll's (Czech) gold-plated two-piece flange banjo. He's used all of these in his ArtistWorks teaching videos as well as his older Deering Tenbrooks (or maybe it's a Saratoga Star).
He apparently isn't wedded to either the sound or mystique of pre-war Gibson.
His history of facial hair shows a similar interest in variety.
;^)
LouieChee - Posted - 01/15/2025: 06:08:02
quote:
Originally posted by banjo1930
When Tony was touring the double banjo record he took this banjo out when he had Mike Munford with him. Mike had just set it up for him and Tony made it sound so epic during that show I saw from that tour.
He also used it to record his great record Hill Country. A legendary banjo for sure!
I played this banjo a couple weeks ago when I went home to MI. It was awesome! The tone is so dry and strong.
I didn't know it recorded Hill Country! Strawberry Plains was a big project song for me when I started playing so that makes the experience pretty special. Thanks for sharing!
Corwyn - Posted - 01/15/2025: 13:48:52
Some people seem to be taking offense as if there is such thing as an objective price for anything. A price is merely the amount that both a buyer and a seller agree to exchange. There is no inherent worth anything has, to say nothing of an item of parts with multiple provenance, and sentimental encumbrances.
Thank you kindly.
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