I have been giving some thought these days of possibly finding a new home for this fine sounding old flathead. The sound files on my home page with various Pro pickers pretty much speak for themselves. All (with the exception of Ron's file, he used a mike directly into his laptop) were recorded on a Marantz PMD660 hand held field recorder, with one Sure mike with no alteration in the final sound produced, so its just the banjo and the picker, as true to live sound as possible. Pay attention in particular to Gene Parker, Ron Stewart, Sammy Shelor and others to get an idea of DA's sound qualities, which IMHO is the main reason one should think about owning this fine old flathead!
If you think you could have a future interest in owning DA, please contact me thru the hangout, and I will be happy to discuss that possibility. Thanks for reading
John
19 comments on “DA-5055. UPDATE March 2018 Still available see below”
Robby Boone Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @9:54:47 AM
John,
I cannot imagine someone else owning this banjo, but if the time has come to pass it to the next caretaker I surely understand and hope that whoever the lucky person is realizes what a treasure this instrument is. Thank you for allowing me to take her for a spin and thank you for the pleasure of getting to know you.
Robby
gospelman97 Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @9:58:25 AM
Makes me sad, John! That's one of the top banjos on the planet when it comes to prewar tone. I listen to those sound files constantly! I hope that you find the right owner for old DA. Maybe I can get one last visit in over my summer vacation before it finds a new home. I'll try to sweet talk my financial adviser, but I don't think I will win this battle.
bhrb75 Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @10:17:00 AM
Say it ain't so John! A part of you will always live in that fine old five. Hope you're doing well and I hope to get up and see you before too long. Going to Mt Airy in a couple weeks?
Robby Boone Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @10:19:30 AM
Bryan.......you would be the PERFECT caretaker for DA!!!! Talk REAL sweet to your financial adviser!!!! It's a lifetime investment that will be bring a lifetime of enjoyment. A lot of folks don't understand that these type instruments need to go to the right home.....that the pairing is of upmost importance.
Robby
gospelman97 Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @10:42:30 AM
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Robby! I would love to own a flathead, especially this one (the first one I ever played). I just don't think I could ever justify the cost. I know my wife couldn't! I will keep dreaming and try to be in the same room with these wonderful instruments any time I can.
Robby Boone Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @12:09:13 PM
Bryan,
Justifying the cost.......I of course have no idea about your personal life and/or hobbies, but this is how I justify my investment. I see folks ALL the time that have a new bass boat attached to a new pickup, a modest motor home usually pulling either a tow vehicle or a trailer with four wheelers or jet skis or a person driving a new car/suv that I KNOW cost the same money and MORE than I paid for my flathead......the difference is that every day they own/use/drive/ride their "whatever" it's LOSING value.......mine is not. Would you rather have your money tied up in something that depreciates faster than you can pay for it? I know a purchase like this is not for everyone, in fact there are those who say folks that buy flatheads are idiots and how can they justify THAT kind of money......I bet a lot of those same people have the items that I mentioned......it's all about priorities. Please understand that I am not trying to coax you to do something that you don't want to, all I'm saying is that it's easier to justify when you look at it from another perspective.
Robby
lbartosh Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @3:47:31 PM
Exactly my thoughts Robbie. Boats, motorcycles, street rods that all require money to upkeep,maintain and insure. Or maybe it's the golf club membership or extravagant vacations. I always notice the hi priced campers and trailers at festivals and feel pretty poor but I do keep an old flathead in the civic. Sure not knocking the way others choose to spend but lots of hobbies make a great banjo look cheap.
davepicks5 Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @4:42:17 PM
John......... this banjo is part of your DNA after 40 plus years, one, if not the best I have ever heard and played.
Here is Steve Huber from a few years back....
youtube.com/watch?v=X_ltMKtNMUw
gospelman97 Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @4:51:52 PM
I definitely agree with you guys. All things banjo is my only hobby (passion) these days, and anything extra I have goes to support it. It's sad that for many, by the time you can afford something, you're too old to enjoy it. Maybe I'll start a GO FUND ME page like young folks do. It's a worthy cause, right?
TonyW Says:
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 @8:27:47 PM
I'm interested if you will do rent to own haha. I'm local to you so you could come play it anytime you wanted. It's the perfect deal for you and me both. It's much easier to finance cars, boats and houses than it is a banjo. I can justify the cost. I just don't have the funds. I would be happy if I just got to play it some time.
double E Says:
Thursday, May 19, 2016 @8:55:41 PM
I converted DA5091 TB1 a few years ago. It turned out great! Wish I could afford to own DA5055 to go with it. Its a killer 5. EE
jfb Says:
Friday, May 20, 2016 @9:37:47 AM
Thanks for all the nice words above, they are appreciated :)
John
rupickin5 Says:
Sunday, May 22, 2016 @7:34:06 PM
John, just stumbled upon this topic tread...I too am a wee bit saddened to hear that you're looking ahead to "that fork in the road". As Gene said, there will come a time when it's our turn to pass on these magnificent instruments to their next caretaker...& hope that the right person is around and ready!
That banjo of yours is very special & an all original flathead-5 in superlative original condition. It is one of the very best I've ever had the opportunity to fondly caress & thanks for asking me to pick on her a bit at this year's Banjothon...wish I was worthy! It was quite the honor kind sir! And mostly...it was great to spend some time visiting with you John...such a pleasure old friend. We should visit this year!
jfb Says:
Monday, May 23, 2016 @9:44:31 AM
Thanks David and Brian, I surely appreciate your friendship and your kind words about DA, as well as all the folks who have already done so above. Brandon, I may try to make a day trip to Mt Airy, but it will depend on work and other things. Just so all will know, I think i am in pretty good health for a "young man", but time is marching on, and now may be the time to give some thought to this process. You all take care..John
jfb Says:
Monday, May 23, 2016 @10:03:47 AM
And Robby,
It was great getting to meet you and girlfriend Wanda at Banjothon, and I hope to do it again.
It was a great pleasure to be in the video room and listen to you and all the other Pro's pick.
If I could pick 10% as well as you, no one could pry my old banjo from me! Thank you..
fxstb Says:
Saturday, October 1, 2016 @7:10:21 AM
Hello John,
Haven't been on the BHO in ages....still picking a lot and playing pedal steel for several local bands. Time stands still for no one, we are all just caretakers. Hope DA will be passed to a worthy caretaker. These old original flatheads are so rare...and tone to die for. Take care, George
jfb Says:
Sunday, October 2, 2016 @5:24:11 AM
Thanks George , stop in when down this way.
Take care
of
jfb Says:
Monday, April 18, 2022 @12:17:17 PM
Anyone interested in owning DA please contact
Greg Earnest via his site.
Thanks
John
jfb Says:
Monday, April 24, 2023 @6:30:59 PM
DA-5055 is still available 4-24-23. Thanks to all for the appreciation of this fine old flathead Take care
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