I think that those Folklores are a great bargain.
(3) they have the same bracket shoes as a PS.
IMO, they are the best entry level longneck for the price.
12 Comments |
 | Pauls Pretty Good Stuff says:
4/7/2014 4:13:29 PM
True that, Ken. Plus, they weigh less than a PS and are plunkier for that back porch overhand player. Not everyone needs to be loud enough for the stage. And... 1/4 the cost of a PS; 1/2 the cost of the Deering copy. Paul
|
 | Ken LeVan says:
4/7/2014 5:02:05 PM
I'm glad to hear you refer to the Deering as a "copy". Buying the name gets you the name but not the soul - I try to make banjos with the soul. May the PS never descend into the depths that the Gibson Mastertone has gone to
|
 | frenchdr says:
4/8/2014 11:33:29 PM
I'm looking into buying one of these in the next year or two. If any of you who own one would like to post a video so I can hear it's tone that would be awesome. I can't find any videos on YouTube of one being played. I'm still in the process of learning to play but once I get a little better (and can convince the wife that I need it), I'm looking forward to investing in a long neck.
|
| frenchdr says:
4/8/2014 11:41:48 PM
Since I'll never be able to justify the cost of the high end long necks (nor do I need a high end one as I only play for my own enjoyment and occasionally jam with family and friends) I think I've narrowed it down to the gibson rb-175 and the vega folklore. I've heard the gibson played on YouTube and find it to be a nice sounding banjo but have never heard the vega.
|
| frenchdr says:
4/8/2014 11:43:56 PM
Since I'll never be able to justify the cost of the high end long necks (nor do I need a high end one as I only play for my own enjoyment and occasionally jam with family and friends) I think I've narrowed it down to the gibson rb-175 and the vega folklore. I've heard the gibson played on YouTube and find it to be a nice sounding banjo but have never heard the vega.
|
 | phdm says:
4/9/2014 9:57:15 PM
Here is something I just learned from my two Vegas that I hadn't realized in 40 years. I have owned a 1964 Folklore long neck since 1972. About 10 years ago, I had Dan Pennington install a Rickard tubaphone tone ring in it and it made ALL the difference in the tone. About 5 years ago, I stumbled across the long neck banjo of my dreams - a mint, unused condition 1962 Vega Seeger model. (A long story about a teenager woman who bought it new here in Seattle, likely played it for less than 6 months and then stored it in its case for 50 years, unused until she died and her brother sold it.) I have been playing the Seeger model now mostly, though my heart still is attached to my modified Folklore. (Its only problem is that the finish on the neck has deteriorate with my 40 years of use and it becomes sticky and gummy and soft in anything like warm weather). Anyway, I took out the Folklore and realized it seems heavier than the Seeger model. And then I counted the plies of the pot - the Folklore has 7 plies, and my Seeger model has ... 6. This may explain the slight heavier weight to my modified Folklore model. Anyone know if Vega was consistent with their ply count as they made various models over the years?
Take care,
Peter McKee - Seattle
|
| Pauls Pretty Good Stuff says:
4/10/2014 6:46:00 AM
It's been my experience that the stickyness on necks is just a buildup of human 'grease' and can be removed with some effort. I use Martin polish in the squirt bottle, give the back of the neck a good squirt, and rub it up and down with my finger, You will notice that your neck just got stickier. That's the first layer. Repeat as many times as necessary. Finally, you will feel the nice, hard original finish. I have never dared try any stronger chemicals, nor have I tried soapy water. This takes some time, buy it works.
|
| Pauls Pretty Good Stuff says:
4/10/2014 9:42:05 AM
Sorry, the above should have been a PM to phdm.
|
| phdm says:
4/12/2014 6:58:28 AM
Thanks. I will give it another try to remove the neck stickiness. Multiple past attempts have failed, and a vey experienced instrument repairer told me that the original finish had deteriorated and that the only solution wold be to strip the finish completely down to the wood and have it redone. But she said she could not replicate the original Vega shaded finish on the neck. So I have been leery of doing that.
|
 | john bange says:
4/14/2014 6:40:19 AM
Mandolin bros. has one listed...looks almost as nice as Paul's...but the price!!!!
|
| Pauls Pretty Good Stuff says:
4/14/2014 12:38:58 PM
Jeez! Maybe Stan will want to buy buy mine! His PS-5 sold for over $4000.00; the PS-5 I have listed in the BHO classifieds is in similar good condition but over $1k less. Either I gotta get with it or Mr. Jay should.
Paul
|
 | timmib says:
4/15/2014 10:28:38 AM
phdm,
I use a solution of dish detergent, amonia and water (1:4:8 or more ratio) to clean almost all the finished wood I have. It's strong enough for the typical buildups like you're talking about, but not strong enough to take hard wax or finish off. fwiw
Kim
|
Post a Comment
|
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.
|
