Troubador vs Exotica

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Wildwood Banjos

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For owners and enthusiasts of Wildwood banjos - great sounding & beautiful banjos that were made in CA & OR by Mark Platin.

91 Members, Created 7/27/2012 -

Administrators: Wrags (owner)

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From Ragtimejoe on 7/27/2013 8:04:10 PM

Can anyone give me some description about the sound differences between the Troubadour and the Exotica?. I can't find a Wildwood dealer in my area.

Thanks

Joe

4 Comments
	Roosterick says: 7/28/2013 7:33:54 AM I had never heard of the Wildwood Exotic Wood series before I read your question so I took a look at Mark's website. I expected to find only cosmetic changes, but those banjos look like they will sound very different than other Wildwood open backs. Most of Mark's open back banjos (including the Troubador which I play) have Tubaphone tone rings which are loud and bright. The Exotic series have a wood tone ring and a frailing scoop, which should sound mellower and "plunkier", providing a sound more in line with the type of playing currently in vogue within, the recently homogenized, old time music community. Here's a link to a video demo of an Exotic series banjo. youtube.com/watch?v=uHZZpzt46eQ
	Wrags says: 7/28/2013 11:00:15 AM Joe, I had a Troubador and sold it to get a custom Wildwood Heirloom Exotic. Rick is right on on the sound differences. However, my experience is that you can setup either banjo to be plunky or not. You can play surprisingly loud with the wood tone ring. One of my favorite thing about the Exotic series is the oil/wax finish. It is silky smooth and makes sliding up and down the neck fast and easy. You can't go wrong with either model. If you like the exotic wood and finish but prefer the tubaphone tone ring, Mark can custom build one that way - he offered the tubaphone tone ring on my heirloom exotic, but I liked the sweeter sound of the wood tone ring a little better for my playing style. I will never get rid of my Heirloom Exotic, but some days I do miss my Troubador!
	Roosterick says: 7/28/2013 6:01:09 PM My advice is get one of each!
	LSRock81 says: 3/5/2024 9:10:32 AM Looking at a Wildwood Exotic Troubadour today. We have two used ones. Very cool looking Wildwood. We carried them new. Looks like a few variations on appointments.
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