Brian Murphy - Posted - 08/31/2024:  14:41:28

Never been able to figure this out. The instruments I grab to play around the house are not the highest end instruments I have in the arsenal. For example, I had a Deering Clawgrass 2. Great banjo, beautifully made. Loved the neck and fingerboard. But for some reason, I didn't play it. I always grabbed my Cedar Mtn L model, which is a blast to play. In addition, I have two mandolins: A nice Flatiron A-5 Jr and one of the run-of-the-mill Eastman 305. The Flatiron sounds better. For some reason, the Eastman is more fun to play.



I can't quantify "fun to play." It's not weight. It certainly is not tone. What is it?  I was discussing this with a very knowledgable and experienced player and builder recently.  He agreed it's a thing, but also could not explain it.

Edited by - Brian Murphy on 08/31/2024 14:42:23

Old Hickory - Posted - 08/31/2024:  15:04:51

Maybe it has something to do with unexpected pleasure. Some instruments sound better than you expect them to.

I've said in several Shopping Advice comments that I found the Gold Tone AC-1 fun to play.

Possibly for the same reason, the 100% original pre-war RB-00 that I played about 10 years ago was tremendously fun to play. Wonderful tone, good volume, enjoyable responsiveness. I couldn't believe it had no tone ring. If it hadn't been $4500, I might have bought it. And if I owned it, I would definitely grab that banjo for my main around-the-house player.

The RB-00 made me wonder why a Deering Goodtime doesn't sound as good. Wood not aged enough? Too few hooks and nuts? Not a true 1-piece-flange?

My aluminum pot Rover RB-35 doesn't have the same effect on me. It's great for travel, and is certainly convenient to play. But doesn't produce the same feeling of fun.

Noah Cline - Posted - 08/31/2024:  15:24:41

I guess you always have a go-to or a favorite. I know I have. I would think comfort, sound, functionality, sentimental value, etc. all factor in to those that are "more fun to play."



I had a Kentucky KM-500 that my dad gifted me. Played nice after setting it up. Liked the sound, but felt it could have had more bass response. But, I didn't like the neck profile (hard-V) nor the width (1 1/8”). A friend gave me a 1903 A3 Gibson that needed a lot of repair which he had started to work on but got tired with it. Fell in love with that one after getting it fixed up. Not perfect, but has a nice sound (mellow with more bass), deep round-V shape neck with 1 3/16” nut width, and lots of mojo (even though it looks like it could implode at any moment with all the cracks it has). I sold the Kentucky. Kept the hardshell case as it fit the Gibson to a T but was a loose fit for the Kentucky.



I've had several low-tier vintage open back banjos and a Slingerland rim that I even made a new neck for with intentions of it being a keeper, but I still went back to my Morgan Monroe Luxmore for jams, even taking some of the others to change it up a bit, but, I sold those others off, and the MM was evidently meant to stay. Granted, it has sentimental value since it's the one I've taken with me pretty much everywhere I've went to play or perform, and that it was one my grandmother got for me, being my first "good" banjo. 

 

Edited by - Noah Cline on 08/31/2024 15:40:20

Bruce Berry Banjos - Posted - 08/31/2024:  16:10:11

Maybe it's that you don't expect as much of yourself when you pick up the 'back up' instruments.
Also probably not as concerned about bumping into this or that.
I know that when I stopped worrying about damaging my banjo and just started dragging it around like Linus with his blanket, it got a lot more fun for me.

Alvin Conder - Posted - 08/31/2024:  16:33:55

Being blessed to gather up a number of instruments over the decades, I have found that my favorite guitar or Banjo, seems to be on some sort of unknown rotation.

I’ll randomly pick up one instrument that I picked up many times before and for some reason, it will really strike me and I’ll pretty much use that one instrument exclusively for 2-3 weeks or months, then some other instrument will do the same, and I’ll go to town with that instrument.

No idea as to why, weather, humidity….sun spots, but instruments seem to come in an out of playability every once in a while. Probably just me.

Will Frady - Posted - 08/31/2024:  19:06:53

It has to be the “feel” and “groove” it puts us in . I too am blessed to have a few awesome banjos , but my go to is a twanger I bought of the hangout. I love playing this thing . I have a couple great guitars including a Gallagher doc Watson that has the growl you want but I always grab a Blue Ridge BR-240 it is more fun and comfortable and has the growl too. I’ve said a lot and ain’t said narry a word . Sorry to ramble

Eric A - Posted - 08/31/2024:  19:35:29

You said it's not the weight. But to me it very much is the weight. The flatheads and whyte laydies sound great but every time I pick one up a part of me is grumpy that they are so damn heavy. Just not worth it to me. Let someone else lug these boat anchors around.



So the ones that are lighter, and still unexpectedly sound better than expected, and fantastic in their own right, are my favorites.  Brass hoops and woodies.

Edited by - Eric A on 08/31/2024 19:41:38

tdennis - Posted - 08/31/2024:  20:26:02

I think a good analogy might be w/ the human voice. There are many excellent singers, & many expressive voices, but certain performers can move one in a special emotional way. It's very personal & subjective.

I rotate through quite a few banjos in my household in the course of a year, & frequently go back to a select few whose voices affect me in an intimate & sensual way.  They stand out for their excellent set up, intonation & strong voice at each  position on the neck. 

Edited by - tdennis on 08/31/2024 20:29:51

banjoak - Posted - 08/31/2024:  21:14:44

Some of it is just things like comfort to play like setup, neck/fingerboard feel; and response to touch, easy to control tone/dynamics; at least in playing solo at home, they sound great for that. But they tend not be great in playing with others, in a band or even jam. Part is can't really push and drive a big sound out of them... they limit out; limited in dynamics, tone, sustain, ring, cut thru mix. Solo (esp without other background noise) don't notice as much or ears can more easily compensate, or just all need; if that makes sense?

The better instruments, are better because they can go beyond, have extra dimension, gears they can go in. Some of them give great note bloom when pushed. Even though not perhaps as comfortable, (perhaps even hard to control softer/mellow aspect?), they are the go to for gigs and jams. Reminds me of similar thing in guitar amps/cabs. Love the sound of little Fender Champ in my bedroom (vs like a Fender Deluxe Reverb); but doing a lot of gigs, with a band, esp drummer, it would struggle.

pfalzgrass - Posted - 08/31/2024:  22:20:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alvin Conder

Being blessed to gather up a number of instruments over the decades, I have found that my favorite guitar or Banjo, seems to be on some sort of unknown rotation.



I’ll randomly pick up one instrument that I picked up many times before and for some reason, it will really strike me and I’ll pretty much use that one instrument exclusively for 2-3 weeks or months, then some other instrument will do the same, and I’ll go to town with that instrument.



No idea as to why, weather, humidity….sun spots, but instruments seem to come in an out of playability every once in a while. Probably just me.

---

I can totally relate to that. Assuming that after a while my ear gets somehow bored with the same sound, and another banjo then is different and more exciting.

reubenstump - Posted - 09/01/2024:  02:27:50

They bring more joy. How they do that can vary widely, but that's the crux of the biscuit.

GS - Posted - 09/01/2024:  04:28:32

I find playing the spoons more fun than the banjo. Banjo is too bloody difficult! Maybe I'll give the triangle a go one day.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 09/01/2024:  04:29:01

I have 3 banjos, a cheap import, one Dale Small made for me that has a shorter, thinner neck and my Stelling. Needless to say, the first two get little to no playing because when I pick up my Beauty, she makes me happy and I enjoy the look, feel, sound and playability. The other two just don't give me that same feeling.

Culloden - Posted - 09/01/2024:  09:55:44

This discussion reminds me of the time I went into Guitar Center (I know, I know) and went into the acoustic room. I sat in there for a good half hour playing some really high-end guitars. Even though I was playing Martins, Gibsons, Taylors, Breedloves, Larravees, Collings, and Santa Cruz guitars, the one I kept coming back to again and again was an Epiphone just like the one I already have.
I guess that solves the problem of wanting a better guitar.