I had a good run today. I went by Better Music in Phillip. Spoke with a nice bloke there and he quoted me on a few banjos and recommended I speak with Rowan at Pro Audio in Fyshwick who knows Banjos. Rowan was great and very knowledgeable and also cut me a good deal on a new Banjo as well.
So that's my day, and a step closer to start learning.
12 Comments |
 | Geekmason says:
5/4/2011 9:24:36 PM
I'm still in two minds about my new Banjo and the budget i should be setting for it. Mostly as i have been steered away from spending to little for a banjo, but i've also been told that Gold Tone and Deering are the way to go for an entry level Banjo in the AUD $500-1000 range (converted). These brands are a little difficult to find at a reasonable price in Australia (unless you guys know something i don't ;) and eBay still seems to have the best prices.
So far i have looked at the Gold Tone IT-250F and IT-CC, and the Good Time (Deering) models. Both American, both common on eBay as well. Locally i have been recommended the Oakridge and Martinez.
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JimBobRascal says:
5/4/2011 10:29:16 PM
I wouldn't get too hung up on brands and stuff at this stage of your career. Pick something that sounds nice to you and that feels nice to play.
The great thing about musical instruments is that you can always sell them at a price that's close to what you paid for it. So, if you buy something you end up disliking, just sell it and move on. Also, when you decide you want a *really* good banjo, you'll be spending $2K+ anyways. Any banjos in that range will make your first banjo look like crap. :/ Good luck!
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| Geekmason says:
5/4/2011 11:08:51 PM
Yeah hehe. I may have to make a leap of faith though as i have not seen any 4 strings at all here. Only a wee little banjolele at Better Music.
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 | mobyj says:
5/4/2011 11:26:29 PM
Why not build your own? I kid not. Loads of fun and a real experience. Contact me if this idea appeals. Jim
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| Geekmason says:
5/4/2011 11:31:04 PM
I could, but i'm currently neck deep in university work at the moment. My wife thinks i'm a little nuts taking on a Banjo, learning Vietnamese and completing a Masters Degree all this year. At least i wont be bored in 2011.
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 | gombul says:
5/5/2011 1:43:56 AM
I just took delivery of a 14inch factory second pot assembly (supposed to have a scratch but I can't find one) - got it while the dollar was strong so I'll put it away for a rainy day, got a spare neck blank I hogged out of some Nigerian Danta a while back. Saves me the $300 shipping for a "full" instrument. When my wife asked why I need a 4th banjo I told her the truth - once you hear a cello banjo you gotta have one ;)
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| Geekmason says:
5/5/2011 3:27:29 AM
Maybe one day ;) youtube.com/watch?v=i-cEv9IxP1...ta_player
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| Geekmason says:
5/7/2011 5:20:26 PM
Ohh, i missed out on a cheap and nasty Tenor Banjo on eBay last night. It was only slightly used, came in a hard case, and quoted as being in good condition with a modified bridge, and may have turned out sounding like junk, but it would have given me a start ;) I drove the bidding hard, but the other guy was willing to pay over $300 ;)
cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.d...:MEDWX:IT
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 | Rilmart says:
5/13/2011 3:59:21 AM
The first banjo which fell into my hands (which I still have) is a UK made circa 1900 Windsor with terrible action due to the pot bending under tension of inappropriate steel strings. The second was a cheapo one off e-bay with an aluminium tone ring which sounded bloody aweful. By this time, having been playing banjo for 3-4 years ordered an open back from Eucalypt in Qld, custom built and brought tears to my eyes. So I reckon that you should spend absolutely as much as you can afford, play it before buying if you can, and you won't regret it. Also I reckon there are Australian banjo makers that offer great value compared to US makers.
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| Geekmason says:
5/13/2011 5:52:00 AM
I will be getting a work bonus shortly after mid year. I think given the difficulty in getting something now on the cheap I may very well dial up the patience and wait another 6-8 weeks and get something nice.
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| Geekmason says:
6/4/2011 5:26:51 PM
What do you guys think of this one?
ebay.com.au/itm/Tanglewood-Uni...074wt_905
jouellinestrings.com.au/product/7217
I haven't heard of this brand before, but from what i have heard in this price range most come from the same factory anyway ;)
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| Geekmason says:
6/4/2011 5:27:41 PM
Hmm...a 19 fret Tenor.
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