John Hardy Banjo Comparisons

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Posted by xnavyguy

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- Play count: 2081

Size: 1,612kb, uploaded 5/2/2013 5:29:15 PM
Genre: Bluegrass / Playing Style: Bluegrass (Scruggs)

Made this recording today while my friend Art Horan (Roll Player) and I were doing a bit of banjo piddling. Two different banjos with identical setup parameters. One is a 1993 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard. The other is a current model low cost Fender FB-300. Thought it interesting that, with a proper setup, even a cheap "student grade" banjo can sound pretty darn good.

6 comments on “John Hardy Banjo Comparisons”

xnavyguy Says:
Sunday, May 5, 2013 @1:57:32 PM

FYI,
The first banjo in the recording is the Fender FB300. The second is the Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard.

Mario Rimoldi Says:
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 @11:08:39 AM

I like your John Hardy arrangement where did you learn that version? Nice picking.

xnavyguy Says:
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 @12:17:30 PM

Mario, That was not me picking that tune. It's Art Horan (Roll Player on the hangout). If you want to send him a PM, he can tell you were he learned it of made it up. He's an extremely talented musician.

CraigRison Says:
Saturday, December 16, 2017 @1:53:12 AM

That's really something! I can barely tell any difference - BUT MY EARS ARE half messed up, especially above 8K - IMHO The Gibson (2nd one) sounds a bit more jangly/reverb/echo - but they both seem to be as loud nad maybe the Fender is a little louder or "sharper" - but I caould be imagining it all - I'd be happy to play either for many moons!

xnavyguy Says:
Saturday, December 16, 2017 @4:20:46 AM

Craig, I also have trouble telling the difference. I'm sure part of it has to do with the amount of artifacting caused by the MP3 file compression. Even when I listen to the un-compressed WAV recording, it's hard to tell but the Gibson has slightly more clarity & sparkle. Thanks for listening and for your comments.

CraigRison Says:
Saturday, December 16, 2017 @12:11:28 PM

When I woke up I pondered "the harder it is, the less it will absorb and sympathetically reinforce.. the previous vibrations" and I saw I guy selling a good looking banjo here a few months ago that had a "100% cast iron pot.." so I got thinking how bout "100% carved granite?" (both of those pots should come complete with helium balloons!!) now I remember Nechville offering a titanium ring - which is super hard and light - I think I should try that with a titanium rim (when I win a lottery, which I probably won't cause I've only "invested" $1 in that racket up to this point in time :)

Also agree possible the .mp3 compression is blurring it - but if it's originally compressed at 256kps I've never been able to tell the difference - even 20 years ago when I was really able to record & mix audio well and hear all kinds of miniscule sounds (kinda drove me batty..) - but my ears obviously couldn't have been as good as a percussionist I had "hearing sensitivity discussion" with (20 odd years ago)" the claims she can " hear an ant fart.." = wOw!

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