clobe - Posted - 01/15/2026:  13:20:22

Hi everyone



Looking for some wisdom here . Have two choices per the above and did some research that bother were excellent intermediate banjos back in the day. The alvarez is at 500 vs the other at 775. Both in close to mint condition. One is thru reverb the other thru FB marketplace. Know I may have to do some setup and perhaps bridge work but thoughts if any ? Frankly i love the look of both and will post pict when I have a moment…:.any guidance would be amazing !

Edited by - Texasbanjo on 01/16/2026 04:09:47

Old Hickory - Posted - 01/15/2026:  13:55:23

Welcome to the Hangout.

What type of banjo music do you want to play?

The reason I ask is these may be two different TYPES of banjos, not just different makes.

The Alvarez Minstrel is probably a 5-string resonator banjo, which is primarily played in three-finger (bluegrass) style, but can also be used for clawhammer/old-time.

The Iida 240 "Plectrum" banjo is almost certainly a 4-string instrument, typically played with a flat pick in jazz, ragtime or Celtic styles. Or some folk style. It does have the longest neck of the 4-stringers. Why, I don't know. But I do know a plectrum banjo is not at all suitable for three-finger or clawhammer. I know we're never supposed to speak I absolutes, but I am absolutely sure about this. 

So: The most important thing for you to do before you buy or even consider any  banjo is to know what type of banjo you need: 5-string resonator, 5-string open-back, 4-string (resonator only?) in 17- or 19-fret tenor or 22-fret plectrum. There are even multiple scale lengths of 5-string banjos, but I know next to nothing about those. But if you want to play music that usually is played on an "A" scale neck, there are plenty of people here to advise you on that.

Good luck.

Edited by - Old Hickory on 01/15/2026 13:57:48

pinenut - Posted - 01/15/2026:  14:27:26

quote:

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Originally posted by clobe

Hi everyone



Looking for some wisdom here... any guidance would be amazing !

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Welcome to the Hangout.  

Do you play other instruments? 

If so, what do you play?

Synopsis of Ken's question:

What type of banjo music do you want to play?

The Alvarez Minstrel is probably a 5-string resonator banjo, which is primarily played in three-finger (bluegrass) style, but can also be used for clawhammer/old-time.

The Iida 240 "Plectrum" banjo is almost certainly a 4-string instrument, typically played with a flat pick in jazz, ragtime or Celtic styles. 

Good luck.

Edited by - pinenut on 01/15/2026 14:30:16

clobe - Posted - 01/15/2026:  14:29:22

Many thanks for the quick feedback! Attached is the Iida for reference and yes interested in standard bluegrass and clawhammer . I supposed the alvarez is better fit ?

pinenut - Posted - 01/15/2026:  14:32:27

quote:

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Originally posted by clobe

Many thanks for the quick feedback! Attached is the Iida for reference and yes interested in standard bluegrass and clawhammer . I supposed the alvarez is better fit ?

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Five string banjos are a good fit for claw-hammer and bluegrass. 

Also, before jumping into a purchase; renting is a good initial option to get in fast and invest slow.

Edited by - pinenut on 01/15/2026 14:40:49

clobe - Posted - 01/15/2026:  14:33:29

Actually need to save it as JPEG and will resend asap

clobe - Posted - 01/15/2026:  15:49:42

Oh and I do play other instruments. Drummer for 48 years.....Bass for another 3, Guitar for 6, Mandolin and Banjo for about 6 months....Split time in NJ and FLA and like to have an instrument in both places....I am semi retired so my focus is all about these string instruments....Kind of losing my mind trying to learn them all...

Have an entry level Washburn in NJ but wanted some thing different for FLA thus the Alvarez to grow into I hope. I am picking up the Alvarez Mistral Sunday in FLA so excited about this. Final price is $450 for it. Both the Iida and Alvarez were mfg in Japan at the time as i know the quality was quite good back in the late 70's / 80's.

I am going to be spending alot of time on these forums as I am finding my musical tastes all moving toward bluegrass from modern back to original. Love it all...Thanks for letting me into this site!

Old Hickory - Posted - 01/15/2026:  16:48:10

quote:

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Originally posted by clobe

I am picking up the Alvarez Mistral Sunday in FLA so excited about this. Final price is $450 for it. 

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That's a reasonable price for it.

With its tone ring and resonator, the Alvarez will be better for three-finger, but there's no rule that says you can't play clawhammer on such a banjo.

If the listing for the Iida plectrum included pictures, maybe you just didn't notice it only had four strings.

Enjoy.

clobe - Posted - 01/15/2026:  17:08:22

Ken, you nailed it...I was immersed in this thing and cannot believe it ony had 4 strings. Best purchase I didnt make....Man wondering how I can be that stupid.....Jesus...anyhow...now really thrilled with the Alvarez purchase.....Lots of great everyting about this site....cannot wait to indulge in more of the forums....Appreciate the simple feedback which makes me feel incredibly stupid now writing this lol

KCJones - Posted - 01/16/2026:  07:00:18

clobe check out this site. hawthorne.fastie.com/asianbanjos/

clobe - Posted - 01/16/2026:  07:05:19

Hi KC

Nice to meet you. I actually read this and still missed that the Iida was a four string. I totally missed it.

Happy with the Alvarez purchase picking it up Sunday. Hoping the neck is straihgt no cracks etc. Any other things to look for? Take the resonator off too presumably to check under the hood....

Any things to look for are welcomed.

gbisignani - Posted - 01/16/2026:  07:57:22

think I've seen clawhammer played on a plectrum...maybe Dom Flemmons

Old Hickory - Posted - 01/16/2026:  09:19:01

quote:

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Originally posted by gbisignani

think I've seen clawhammer played on a plectrum...maybe Dom Flemmons

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OK. 

So if someone came here asking what banjo is good for clawhammer, would you suggest they listen to Don Flemmons and get a plectrum?

Call me old fashioned or closed-minded, but I wouldn't.

Edited by - Old Hickory on 01/16/2026 09:19:41