Faelan - Posted - 03/03/2007:  18:55:17

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Hi all,

I have a question I'm hoping you all can help me with.

I just started playing clawhammer less then a month ago, I've got the bottom of the line Gold Tone CC-50. I am thinking I want a scooped neck banjo, I can trade my CC-50 for the Gold Tone CB-100, or buy it outright for $525. Unfortunately I can not spend much more then that.

Will I be getting more banjo for the money, or will I have a more expensive version of the same thing just with a scooped neck?

Another factor in my decision is if I don't do this now, it may be a long while before I can afford another banjo.

Thanks

__________________________
Faelan
Banjon00b
Gold Tone CC-50

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 03/03/2007:  19:39:50

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I can't make the decision for you obviously, but the CB 100 is considerably more banjo than the CC50. I'm not too familiar with prices on that model and haven't actually played one, but 525 with a scoop sounds reasonable. I've played just about every other Gold Tone openback at one time or another, so I've played that neck and that pot - just not in conjunction. I really like the CC100 but it has a pretty ugly peghead. I think the CB 100 uses the thinner Gold Tone pot and I know it has the better looking neck.


The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html

wormpicker - Posted - 03/03/2007:  19:48:30

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Hi Jason,

I don't have personal experience with the two GT banjos you are comparing, but I can offer an alternative that may save you a lot of money. If you're having trouble frailing over the neck, you might consider just getting a higher bridge. That's what I did with my Reiter. Playing over the neck was really difficult with the 5/8" bridge that I initially had. I was amazed at what a difference switching to an 11/16" bridge. Now I have no trouble at all playing over the neck. Another possibility is to ask Paul at the Folk Shop if he can scoop out your CC-50 (or can have someone else do it). It shouldn't cost too much. When I was looking into this issue I contacted Bart Reiter, who told me he'd scoop my Galax for $50--and that included return shipping!

Paul

Obsession is a great substitute for talent. -Steve Martin

lomojo - Posted - 03/04/2007:  00:28:24

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Faelan,
Hmmm, $525 for the CC-100? That's a lot. A couple hundred more and you can get something better used... no chance of stashing away that $525 and forgetting you have it while simultaneously adding to it over time? (OK, that wasn't very helpful, was it?) I have the CC-100 with the resonator, planetary tuners, no scoop. I don't know the CC-50. The 100 is easy to play but I upgraded already for sound, even though I still barely have a clue still about what I'm doing. My Reiter has a scoop, and, frankly, I'm not sure what it does for me, if anything. I have small hands, so maybe that has something to do with it.
I think the CC-100 peghead is a lovely shape, Mr. Woodchuck, by the way. The whole banjo is 1,800 times more attractive than a Goodtime. (Those are probably fighting words to someone out there.)
At any rate, I guess what I mean is you may still want an upgrade soon, even if you get the CC-100. (Or maybe that's just what banjos do to some of us.)
Laura

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 03/04/2007:  01:00:36

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I agree it is more lovely than a Good Times - but the CC100 and the MM150 that I own still have truly ugly pegheads. The fiddlehead is fat and obtrusive in a light finish. The darker the finish the better it looks, although it is hardly what I would call good design under any circumstances.
And he is not saying 525 for the CC100 but for the CB 100 with the frailing scoop. The CB 100 lists for a good deal more than the CC 100. they have different necks and different pots - I'm not sure how much the frailing scoop adds but it would be a minimum of 50 dollars.

The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html

Faelan - Posted - 03/04/2007:  01:24:29

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The cb adds a dowel rod over the coordinator rod (though I'm not sure of any benifit here. I also think its an upgraded tone ring and I think I little more human interaction goes into the building process of the CB as opposed to the CC. I'm not sure however.

__________________________
Faelan
Banjon00b
Gold Tone CC-50

BRASMAN - Posted - 03/04/2007:  05:02:36

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Faelan,

I have a CB-100 and it is a nice Banjo. As far as the scoop goes it just depends on how you like to play. I have been going through Dans videos and book and even though he recomends playing over the scoop I keep finding my self almost to the scoop but do not play over it. So for me it is just for looks. LOL I like having it there though incase I want to switch later. If you want another banjo and decide the scoop is not that important to you check out the Morgan Monroe Cameron.

Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

harvey - Posted - 03/04/2007:  07:32:56

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I wouldn't upgrade so quickly. Nor would I only upgrade from the CC-50 to the CB-100. I agree with the previous poster: wait for a while, save up some more money, gain some more experience and then buy yourself a banjo that marks a genuine step upwards. Give it a few more months, maybe even a year, and then you'll know what you really want. The problem with incremental upgrading is that, 5 years down the line, you'll have owned about 5 banjos and spent three times as much money as you would have if you'd just gone out and bought yourself a WL-250 (or whatever) straight away.

Have the neck of your CC-50 scooped at your local banjo store -- it will not cost a lot of money and will give you some instant satisfaction.

Harvey

tonehead - Posted - 03/04/2007:  08:59:30

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What harvey said. You can scoop it yourself even. There are guys on here who can help.




Be significant.

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Edited by - tonehead on 03/04/2007 09:00:36

tom clunie - Posted - 03/04/2007:  10:05:57

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If you have the opportunity to trade up to a cb100, DO IT! I think the cb100 is probably the best starter banjo out there short of a used fancier model. It well could be all the banjo you'll ever need whereas the skinnier-necked cc50 could hamper your budding playing and technique. Years from now, after you have met many banjos, you may choose to go for a different sound like a White Laydie tone ring banjo or perhaps a wooded rim, but even then I'd say hang on to the cb100 as an extra banjo . Scooping the cc50 ain't going to change the skinny neck. That'll be two cents..er, dollars (inflation, you know). TC

LPinAZ - Posted - 03/04/2007:  10:14:39

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I recently had a local luthier scoop and set up (for optimal tone and volume) my Deering Vega Senator and my Deering Vega Little Wonder and I am very happy with the result. Both banjos play and sound a "lot" better than they came from the factory (what's up Deering?). The cost was around $80 per banjo ($40 for the scoop) and well worth it. Before I had this work done I felt I needed to stuff my banjos for a more desirable tone and now I don't (more to do with the set-up rather than a scoop issue certainly) If you like playing over the neck I would recommed having your current banjo scooped by a reputable luthier. However it might make more sense to put that money towards an upgrade at some point if you are so inclined.

Les
Peoria AZ

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Edited by - LPinAZ on 03/04/2007 10:22:16

Stev187 - Posted - 03/04/2007:  10:25:45

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I thought long and hard before having my early Reiter scooped more than 10 years ago. I have been very glad I did. Given your situation, I'd do the following.

1. Try a taller bridge. Give it a few weeks and see what you think.
2. If you still feel the need for more, have your banjo scooped. This should cost $50 or less. Unless you are really good with tools, don't do it yourself.

My thinking is that scooping won't detract from the value you'd get out of your present banjo if you sell it or trade up. I'd also recommend keeping this banjo and waiting to save up for a 2nd banjo. As an old-time player, it's cool to have two banjos (one tuned to C/D one in G/A) lying around. It's also nice to have a "beater banjo" or something to loan to a pal.

Those are my thoughts.



Steve
Flint, MI

2Wheeled5Stringer - Posted - 03/04/2007:  10:46:03

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A DREMAL AND A DREMAL HOLDER OR ROUTER HEAD PEICE....
10 MINUTES PULLING THE NECK..
5 MINUTES DREMALING THE SCOOP OUT........
5 MIUNTES CLEANINT IT AND RE OILING ER UP........
10 MINUTES RE STINGIN ER UP.......

30 minutes, $550:00 Still in your Pocket...
and a BRAND NEW BANGO on YOUR STAND.....

PRICELESS...............................................................

this is what ill do to my Johnson 070 in another week or so.....GOTA FINISH THE LIL TWANGER FIRST...........

ill try a taller bridge first but i like the action of my strings at the leval there at....i have 3 diverent briges ill try out then ill proly do the home scoop job......

saving my money for the things i cant make or do on my own......




Guitar School Drop Out..."Kudnt Handle 6 Strings, 4 wid a spair is Funner"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE THOES SQUIGGLY LINES............???? "

"Obsession is a great subsitute for talent"
Steve Martin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP6xd0aITFM
"YOU CANT PLAY A SAD SONG ON THE BANJO"
Steve Martin

this is how i wanta play.... in the trees, on the river, in the summer.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzahpiVjL8Y

oldtimer - Posted - 03/04/2007:  13:08:49

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Just pulling the frets from fret 17 to the pot helps more than you would think. But you need proper fret pulling pliers and do it carefully to avoid pulling up splinters. Then, it is simple to scoop with a rasp and files. I did my first one with a pocket knife (a Whyte Laydie!) after I saw an old-timer who had roughly whittled his out. It doesn't take much depth.

NOT responsible for you destroying your banjo! I have done many iinstrument repairs over the decades.

Best regards,
Glenn Godsey

1998 Riley Baugus
1923 Whyte Laydie
Prust 13" fretless tackhead
Early Ramsey fretless
1878 Henry C. Dobson

"Time passes unhindered"

wormpicker - Posted - 03/04/2007:  14:09:09

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You did that to a Whyte Laydie?!

With a POCKET KNIFE?

Paul

Obsession is a great substitute for talent. -Steve Martin

Faelan - Posted - 03/04/2007:  14:12:52

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I think I am just going to buy it outright so I have two, one in C/D and the other in G/A. =)

__________________________
Faelan
Banjon00b
Gold Tone CC-50

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 03/04/2007:  14:22:00

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There's always much to be said for having more than one banjo - however, I'm old and tired so I rarely get up the steam to drag more than one to a jam. My wife usually only takes one fiddle - and both her fiddles - in cases - don't weigh as much as one of my banjos without case.

The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html

oldtimer - Posted - 03/04/2007:  14:40:24

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quote:

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Originally posted by wormpicker

You did that to a Whyte Laydie?!

With a POCKET KNIFE?

Paul

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Yes....It sounds appalling, doesn't it? It is a repro neck (Steve Senerchia, 1976). I always fearlessly customize my instruments to get the sound and playability I want. I grew up around old guys who put rattesnake rattles inside their fiddles "for better sound".

Best regards,
Glenn Godsey

Stev187 - Posted - 03/04/2007:  14:57:01

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quote:

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Originally posted by oldtimer
I grew up around old guys who put rattesnake rattles inside their fiddles "for better sound".

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I love that scene in Sprout Wings and Fly when Tommy takes the rattle out of his fiddle.

Steve
Flint, MI

Tarn - Posted - 03/05/2007:  21:10:28

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I gotta agree with Harvey. I came across the money for a WL250 and bought it. Only thing I wish is that I'd got the scooped neck because I just got done sending mine to GT to have it done. Getting a skin head on also. I played a scooped neck for the first time and the sound is a lot smoother up the neck. Save for the WL250 and scoop it. You'll be glad you waited. I know I could have used a pocket knife but hey, I'm a locksmith not a carver and I sure hate to mess something up that someone else could have done right.

Rob

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 03/05/2007:  22:10:57

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Faelan
I would advise against having the neck of a CC50 scooped. It is not the same neck as you will find on a CC100 or a CB100. The CC50 neck is pretty much a generic Korean neck of the same type as you will find on many beginner banjos, and I don't think it will stand up well to scooping. For that instrument I would be more inclined to just go for a high bridge if you want to play over the neck.
On playing over the neck in general. The purpose is to hit the harmonic node around the 19th fret area. This makes the cluck that gives the banjo punch. Back when I first started doing this there were few scooped banjos and we sort of considered anyone who needed their action so low they had to have a scoop to be a bit wimpy. Times change.

The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html