Would anyone recommend this Banjo for a learner? I want an open back for frailing. Or is there anything similar, even if a bit more expensive available in NZ?
14 Comments |
 | banjonz says:
9/27/2012 10:38:05 PM
banjohangout.org/archive/130390
The reviews here on this model are fairly positive. I have played and setup a few Epi's and they seem good. Do you plan to get one in NZ or import one?
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 | primaveranz says:
9/27/2012 10:43:09 PM
There is one in a shop here for around 399 bucks (I think).
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| banjonz says:
9/27/2012 11:01:54 PM
Where abouts is 'here'? Have a look on trademe. There is a chap in Hawkes Bay importing banjos. I have played quite a few of the Goldtone ones he had. Any entry level banjo once it is setup would be suitable. The Epis do appear good though!
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| primaveranz says:
9/28/2012 2:13:27 AM
Nelson, I guess I'd still have to get it set up though. I'll check out Trademe as well, thanks.
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 | NZsteve says:
9/28/2012 9:18:11 PM
The open back "sound" derives from more than taking the resonator of the banjo. I you look at ww.banjos.nz (my site !), or trademe you will see the Savannah & the Artiste from $300 to $400 approx, taking the resonator off (thumb screws) will give the same effect as the Epiphone, notice I do not say old time sound, and you can still fit the resonator for "Bluegrass" if required. The Epiphone is overpriced for what it is. The rim and vellum material make the largest overall difference to the old time sound, (not counting any tone ring & different strings and how close you hold the banjo to your body etc. etc.). The Recording King RK-OT25 that I sell is a good example of an old time banjo and sound, but well outside of this price range with scooped fingerboard and fiberskyn head, modern equivalent of vellum. The banjos I sell have the head tension set and string height at the twelfth fret set to 1/8 inch, the tailpiece set is a matter of personal preference. Steve.
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| primaveranz says:
9/28/2012 10:43:02 PM
Yeah I had another look at the Epiphone and I was not convinced. A "Made in China" sticker never helps sell things to me ;)
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| banjonz says:
9/29/2012 12:14:06 AM
All the entry level banjos on the market today are made in China.
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| NZsteve says:
9/29/2012 5:58:21 AM
Basically if you can afford it, it is made in China. You have to look for substantial American input / research design or assembly, (not Manufacture) in Chinese or Asian manufactured parts. That is why I stock Gold Tone & Recording King. Look to $3k US for a reputed made in USA Bluegrass banjo. That is not to say 100% of the parts are of US manufacture. Remo heads are from two sources, one in asia. What percentage of parts constitutes made in USA. What about strings, tuners, hooks, nuts etc, etc ?.
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| primaveranz says:
9/29/2012 3:34:51 PM
Yeah quality control is the key, I mean 95% of all laptops apparently come from just 2 cities in China. And I'm old enough to remember when "Made in Japan" was the label you avoided ;) But I'll probably just take the back off my old Melody SQ and see if I progress to a stage where I can justify forking out a bit more for a better quality instrument.
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| banjonz says:
9/29/2012 4:40:56 PM
Most of the Chinese made banjos are ok. The ones in the shops are. However many of them need to be setup (adjusted). Shops that have a token banjo don't know the first thing about setups on them. I will never recommend a banjo I have not seen nor adjusted. In the the case with NZSteve in Napier, I know his banjos are good because I have visited and played them. Obviously I haven't seen every single one but the ones I have played have been good.
The Recording King brand is a very good one. I have owned an RK open back banjo and have played many more.
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| primaveranz says:
9/29/2012 4:44:57 PM
How well does the "set up" travel? E.g. if I bought one from the North Island had it set up and shipped to nelson, what are the chances it would not need set up again?
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| banjonz says:
9/29/2012 5:06:12 PM
Pretty good actually. However it does depend on how it is packed. I have sent repaired banjos and new ones away in cardboard guitar boxes (or the ones they came in) and they have suffered no problem. I always pack them well with bubble wrap. The only thing that needed to be done was retuning.
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| NZsteve says:
9/29/2012 6:04:59 PM
Hi Primera, banjonz has a lot of experience in these matters, I will "go down the road" a little, there can be a settling in period on new banjos, large humidity changes can also affect set up especially if using vellum. If the banjo is left tensioned what can happen is that the string height can raise a little from set up and all the initial stresses and strains on a new banjo take a while to reach a stable configuration. Re adjustments may be required after 6 to 12 months. Also set up the banjo for the strings you use, going from light to heavy gauge strings, may affect set up.
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| banjonz says:
9/29/2012 8:27:08 PM
There are a number of factors that will affect setup... the tension on the head; the height of the bridge; the type of tailpiece. Most setups are generally common sense. Modern mylar heads don't get affected by weather and temperature variations unlike hide heads (vellums). Once a banjo is setup ( especially for a beginner) there shouldn't be anything else to adjust generally speaking.
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