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Robin House |
On Christmas Eve my wife contacted a seller on Craig's List who lives 75 miles away. I don't like buying an instrument I haven't played so when he called on Christmas day to say we could come try it out we were happy to make the trip. It was in mint condition because they had bought it at a Guitar Center for their daughter two years ago and she had only played it a couple of times. They kept it in the climate controlled room they keep their baby grand piano in. It was the newer style Goodtime 2 with the bow tie fret markers. The one we have on loan has the black dot fret markers and the gumby headstock which I like because it reminds me of the Hofner Beatle bass headstock. I'm also a big fan of simplicity. Of course the one we have isn't fancy either so I'm happy with it. The action is lower and it has a better voice as well.
I play guitar so I began by tackling Rob Bourassa's Foggy Mountain Breakdown lesson in the Playing Advice: Bluegrass (Scruggs Style) Lessons section of the hangout. My plan is to take it one section at time not moving on to the next section until I've mastered the one I'm on. Already I'm enjoying making sounds that sound like a banjo picker though I've got a long way to go. I'm about to turn sixty in March and it's encouraging to see so many my age and older who are just starting out.
It's nice that my wife, also a guitarist is beginning this journey with me. I see another banjo purchase in the near future because neither one of us can stay away from it for long. Maybe I'll get that gumby after all.
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