Gold Tone or Farris Express or 8.1

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Travel banjo

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For those interested in travel sized banjos - all makes and models welcome to be discussed

68 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: sdfarris (owner)

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From loonsailor on 12/11/2016 8:22:46 AM

I'm headed off on a trip in a couple of weeks and would love to get a Tranjo to take with me. The instruments from tranjo.com have a long enough lead time that they don't seem to be an option for this trip. There's someone selling new Gold Tone tranjos for $600 on ebay, and I could get one of those quickly. So, having never seen one of these in the flesh, I'd appreciate an educated opinion on the differences. I see that the tuning arrangement is very different on the Gold Tone - is it terribly inconvenient? Any other downsides for the Gold Tone? Is it worth waiting - and forgoing an instrument on this trip (just a vacation fun-to-have, not essential) to get a Farris? If I were to wait, the Express seems like a better option for me, not because of the price (they all seem reasonable) but because it's about 1.5 lb. lighter (does it also pack smaller?). Is the playability about the same?

Also, is the silent option available for the Gold Tone?

Thanks!

6 Comments
	Grum says: 12/11/2016 12:32:52 PM I have a genuine 'Farris' Tranjo 6.0. Yes it's good, well made etc. The old style tuning arrangement relies on pulleys to guide the strings around and underneath. This adds a little friction and makes tuning a little bothersome. I bought a better quality pulley, low friction, setup from someone on the HangOut and that helps a lot. Having said all that, the thing holds its tuning very well and does not require constant adjustment. The Tranjo 6.1 with the other style tuners would be great. Get the real thing, you'll not be disappointed.
	ipeter says: 12/11/2016 7:06:42 PM I have the Gold Tone Tranjo (similar to the discontinued Farris Tranjo 6.0), and couldn't be happier with it. Yes, the tuners in the pot make it a pain to tune, but it does stay in tune. The 5th string attachment pin on the neck is another weak point of the design. The only other negative quirk to the Gold Tone is that there is no easy way to attach a clip-on tuner to the neck - unlike the Farris model there is no tuner pocket in the body. Like Grum, I swapped out the wooden roller assembly for steel roller bearings thanks to BHO member Jeff Symonds. The neck is great and notes true, and while it doesn't sound like a Huber, it is fun to play. The Gold Tone Tranjo is very light (around 6 lbs.) and easily fits in the overhead bin of all the planes I have taken it on...without removing the neck. I'm not sure that this response will help solve your dilemma, but from my perspective you won't go too wrong with a Gold Tone Tranjo.
	wotwomy says: 12/12/2016 7:31:22 AM I recently received my Tranjo Express and I love it. I have nothing negative to say
	Dai Evans says: 12/13/2016 6:32:11 PM If you get the Gold Tone, I guess that an 8 inch Tom Tom mesh head, Hot Spot pick up and a guitar pre amp can be picked up from EBay or other places. It seems that Sam Farris gets all his kit from one supplier. I can recommend the silent option, I often use it without the amp.
	lwleedy says: 4/21/2018 7:58:52 PM I've had a Tranjo 6 since 2011. There haven't been too many posts lately but I hope you can help me. I have two questions. 1. My case is not going to make it much longer What cases do you recommend? 2. Has anyone found an easy way to attach a tuner?
	Dai Evans says: 5/28/2018 11:20:26 PM I am looking for a day sack with a vertical slot for the neck when detached, I guess that a hiking shop may have what I want. Just clip your tuner to the bridge, it has worked for me for the last couple of years.
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