Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/401132
Fretting Fingers - Posted - 12/30/2024: 06:03:53
I was wondering if anyone has reservations on buying a blemished banjo, and if you do what are those reservations. I am not talking about something that affects the play ability of the instrument. Something in the finish, some bleed over from the stain into an area that it shouldn't be in, things like that. I have bought two blemished banjos at a greatly reduced cost because the had "spots" that would really go unnoticed unless a close inspection what made of the instrument. Now I always look for "blems" when I look for a "new" banjo.
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 12/30/2024 08:17:08
NNYJoe - Posted - 12/30/2024: 06:30:37
I play a Deering Sierra & have had people compliment on how lovely it looks. It occurred to me I had no idea if they were right. I never get much of a chance to gaze upon its beauty when I’m playing. I would have a hard time describing my own banjo!
But if it had a minor blemish. how easy it would be!
Sounds good, looks bad? Buy it & own a banjo with character!
jduke - Posted - 12/30/2024: 06:31:44
It wouldn't bother me at all, although the only blem I have is an Eastman neck I put on a vintage Little Wonder pot. All of my banjos are vintage, so pristine is not important to me.
lazlototh - Posted - 12/30/2024: 06:33:47
At some point, unless you own it as a closet queen, it is going to get some blemish(es). As long as you like it and it sounds good to you, who cares?
KCJones - Posted - 12/30/2024: 06:39:20
I almost exclusively buy blems or refurbs when shopping. Dented can discount! God bless all the players that pay MSRP for new pristine instruments, I wouldn't be a musician without you.
Probably the best find was a Huber Workhorse with an upgraded Vintage ring. $1500 bucks because it had a heel crack (can't find unless I show you) and the flange plating is flaking off. Thank you very much.
It could be argued that all vintage instruments are blemished, and they're the most highly valued. The marketing term for a blemished used instrument is "patina". But it's the same thing. Removing the blemish ("patina") typically reduces value. Food for thought.
Brian Murphy - Posted - 12/30/2024: 06:51:27
The last brand new banjo I got was over 30 years ago. Every used banjo that has been played is a blem. Last mandolin I bought was a blem (I still haven't found it). Most builders will not put out blems because they don't want people saying their quality is suspect. GoldTone will do it where it is very subtle, but I bet they trash or part out even more. I never understood the closet queen approach. Life is short. Play the dang thing.
bill t - Posted - 12/30/2024: 06:53:10
If it's a "blem", you get a discount. If it's "reliced", you pay extra.
Old Hickory - Posted - 12/30/2024: 09:01:59
I'm of two minds. I like finishes in good condition. But I also like saving money. And I know that you can't hear blemishes. So if we're talking about new instruments, I'm sure I'd buy a blem or a second or whatever you want to call it.
Bandmate of mine in the 1970s bought a blemished Gibson ES-335 (or maybe 355) hollow body electric guitar for a lot of dollars off. Only defect was the fretboard binding was stained along most of its length. As the salesman at the store told him: "It's gonna look like that in a few years anyway."
This dinged 2006 Deering GDL at less than half the price of new and below the typical price of used is extremely tempting. I think I'd have to sell my Gibson parts banjo. Maybe someone will put me out of my misery.
Fretting Fingers - Posted - 12/30/2024: 09:02:29
Thanks for the replies. Good to hear others have the same view of blems as I do. I just bought a OB-3 from Gold Tone for $1,200.00 almost half off because it has a spot on the neck. A good find as far as I am concerned.
Alvin Conder - Posted - 12/30/2024: 10:20:50
I don’t know what kind of instrument you’re looking at, but decades ago I bought a beautiful top of the line custom Gibson guitar back when Gibson was actually making real custom guitars out of Bozeman. It was marked down a huge amount because it was blemished. Tiny chip on the peghead. Like minuscule to the point it had to be pointed out, but enough that the guy who ordered it would not accept delivery. I got a further discount from the dealer for “just because”. Wonderful instrument. Held onto it for many years and sold it for a huge profit. All around a great deal, just for a minor blemish.
If it does not affect playability at all, absolutely go for it.
Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 12/31/2024: 08:22:24
If one considers that there are very few (if any) things in our world that are perfect, then blemished or irregular becomes the new perfect.
Looking around my house and in my mirror I see nothing that is perfect
Fretting Fingers - Posted - 12/31/2024: 09:46:37
Alvin,
I bought a Gold Tone OB-3 (from Gold Tone) that has a very small dot in the finish of the neck. I bought it at about half price.
NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 12/31/2024: 10:02:59
I dont care at all what the banjo looks like. Ive played my Twanger soo much I have blood permanantly in the wood, the armrest chrome is gone and theres scratches everywhere.
But if I were a vintage prewar guy, Id most likely care about parts and condition.
1935tb-11 - Posted - 01/10/2025: 08:11:34
the resonator on my 11 looks like it was used in a bar fight,, so blems don't bother me.. how she sounds does,, it can be ugly as sin but if it has got that sound ,,i am good with it.
Barnacle Joe - Posted - 01/10/2025: 10:15:53
Generally speaking, I do not care at all unless the blem/imperfection/damage is obvious enough that a layman would comment on it. And if they were to say "oh, I hope you got that at a discount" or "wtf happened there?" or something like that. Not because I care what these hypothetical people think, but that's how significant it would need to be for me to care. For example, just in the past month I noticed that one of mine has a spot on the rim that looks like a hammer was dropped on it in the shop. I did not and do not care at all, I'm merely amused it took me this long to notice.
1935tb-11 - Posted - 01/11/2025: 09:01:12
quote:
Originally posted by 1935tb-11
the resonator on my 11 looks like it was used in a bar fight,, so blems don't bother me.. how she sounds does,, it can be ugly as sin but if it has got that sound ,,i am good with it.
now that i have thought about it,, i did drop mine many years ago . there was a festival in a town somewhere i don't remember but they had a temporary stage set up in the street. and as we were getting warmed up behind it ,, the strap came loose on mine and BAM ! to the asphalt it went on the resonator.... i nearly passed out... i grabbed it up and retied the strap ,, checked everything and played the set ,, no problems....
'Help with unknown banjo' 10 min
'Deering Goodtime Parlor' 20 min
