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US $578.00 | Feeling FBJ-N45F Banjo Blue grass
a.aliexpress.com/_mOZptih
I saw this online and was wondering if it might be worth it.
It looks like a bottlecap banjo with fancy inlay from here. It may be a good deal if that is what you want, I imagine it would depend what price point it was built to meet and I don't know enough about that market to be able to tell.
Aluminum rim and aluminum tone ring? I guess it depends on how it sounds.
A little looking around the 'net suggests that it's similar to a Saga SS-3, with similar specs and price point. Seems like a lot of money for an aluminum rim banjo, but what do I know.
Check out the Saga here , and there is a youtube clip to watch/listen to. If the Feeling and Saga are "twins", and you bought it from Ross you would get a set-up included, which would be a huge plus. And you're dealing with someone stateside, rather than a factory in China. Here are a couple of HO reviews of the Saga SS-3
Too risky unless you are skilled at setting up and repairing banjos. Without setup and inspection here, so many things could be wrong, even if it was in spec when put in a shipping crate over there. They certainly made it look decent, but I've seen far too many that were unplayable but pretty. The bling on the neck but aluminum rim is a hint about their priorities. PacRim mfrs have done this alot. In the 70s and 80s, really bad sounding banjos had thick glossy finishes over a veneer. The guitar store salesman had two talking points: (1) It's a [Fender, Alvarez, etc.], so you know that's quality when those companies did not even manufacture the instrument; and (2) look at that beautiful wood. For that kind of money you can find a decent used one here that you can check out first.
Low-end banjos tend to be cheesy no matter where made. Chinese banjos run the gamut from unmitigated junk to pro-level. You’ve gotten good advice on this one, but the fact that it’s Chinese is not the issue.
I had heard an hour after you quit playing the hunger to play returns
quote:
Originally posted by 6stringedRambleUS $578.00 | Feeling FBJ-N45F Banjo Blue grass
a.aliexpress.com/_mOZptih
I saw this online and was wondering if it might be worth it.
There are some great Chinese made banjos, this is not one of them.
You won't find a decent one under at least 800usd brand new.
quote:
Originally posted by Bill RogersLow-end banjos tend to be cheesy no matter where made. Chinese banjos run the gamut from unmitigated junk to pro-level. You’ve gotten good advice on this one, but the fact that it’s Chinese is not the issue.
What Bill says.
Saga imported this banjo for decades but it's been discontinued. Country of origin was Japan/Korea/China
That rim is also the foundation for their kit — openback only nowadays.
If you buy it from a Chinese distributor, who's going to inspect and set it up before you take delivery? No one.
For that price, there are a ton of banjos out there imported by US distributors.
Stew-Mac carried that rim for many years, likewise discontinued.
Yeah I hear you guys. I'm an American who lives in Israel though. Unfortunately the Chinese often offer free shipping. The US shipping services are so expensive..a minimum of several hundred more just for shipping. Local banjo selection is scant. Well currently I can't afford one anyways, but they're saying with the vaccine, covid will be over this summer. I may just have to say the hell with it, and buy one anyways, from USA, if the economic conditions get better. It's on my to do eventually list. I was looking around at high end banjos namely, Bishline and Prucha, but they're $2-3k!!! I'm not partial to any just seeing what catches my eye out there, without being able to try them. Prucha would have the advantage of shipping from the Czech republic, a few hours by plane from Israel, and they get high reviews.
Edited by - 6stringedRamble on 01/19/2021 07:17:54
If you have reasons to be set on this seller, I think there's a better one listed for about the same money. At least you get a maple rim and a bronze tone ring, but all the other cautions above still apply.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32958243885.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.6.53ad4febAcqujq
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Originally posted by Eric AIf you have reasons to be set on this seller, I think there's a better one listed for about the same money. At least you get a maple rim and a bronze tone ring, but all the other cautions above still apply.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32958243885.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.6.53ad4febAcqujq
For $600 delivered that's almost tempting. It's a gamble, but they're probably halfway decent components that just require TLC in the assembly/setup department. Problem is, these banjos always seem to have chunky necks that make them very uncomfortable.
quote:
Originally posted by KCJonesquote:
Originally posted by Eric AIf you have reasons to be set on this seller, I think there's a better one listed for about the same money. At least you get a maple rim and a bronze tone ring, but all the other cautions above still apply.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32958243885.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.6.53ad4febAcqujq
For $600 delivered that's almost tempting. It's a gamble, but they're probably halfway decent components that just require TLC in the assembly/setup department. Problem is, these banjos always seem to have chunky necks that make them very uncomfortable.
There's a legit looking long neck for only $329 if anybody is looking for one.
But, sheesh, these guys clearly have no idea what they are selling. They stick the word "mandolin" in on several descriptions when they are not. Does not give much confidence.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32964333010.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.1.53ad4febnoiUKk
And hey! You get 10% off if you buy 6 or more!
Edited by - Eric A on 01/19/2021 08:16:56
The only Chinese-made banjo I would consider is the higher-end Recording King,
Edited by - beegee on 01/19/2021 08:31:43
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Originally posted by beegeeThe only Chinese-made banjo I would consider is the higher-end Recording King,
I keep saying this and I'll say it again..there's absolutely nothing wrong with a well set up Gold Star
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Originally posted by ChunoTheDogquote:
Originally posted by beegeeThe only Chinese-made banjo I would consider is the higher-end Recording King,
I keep saying this and I'll say it again..there's absolutely nothing wrong with a well set up Gold Star
I have a RK RB-024 that I just love. They are always poo-poo'd here on the BHO as being simply a rebadged chinese banjo, not a REAL Recording King, blah, blah, blah. Let me tell you, there is nothing at all wrong with this banjo. It is terrific and my favorite out of a total of 7 banjos.
Personally, I would pass on metal rim banjos if your doing Scruggs style. Hard to get a bright banjo sound from them. Might be ok for other styles.
Rick
quote:
Originally posted by ChunoTheDogquote:
Originally posted by beegeeThe only Chinese-made banjo I would consider is the higher-end Recording King,
I keep saying this and I'll say it again..there's absolutely nothing wrong with a well set up Gold Star
Gold Star make s a good banjo. You can play the Gold Star and I'll play my RK's
quote:
Originally posted by beegeequote:
Originally posted by ChunoTheDogquote:
Originally posted by beegeeThe only Chinese-made banjo I would consider is the higher-end Recording King,
I keep saying this and I'll say it again..there's absolutely nothing wrong with a well set up Gold Star
Gold Star make s a good banjo. You can play the Gold Star and I'll play my RK's
Haha that's fair. I like RKs too tho! A whole lot of banjo for the money.
I have a short scale Saga Pony 10P banjo. The neck and rim are fine. I would say the neck is exceptional in its profile and some others say the same about the regular scale Saga10 banjo. But, I replaced all the metal parts with Gotoh tuners and brass Balsam Works for another $200. To have such a banjo custom built would be close to $2k, not the $600 I have into it. Take this and that for what it is worth. banjeredbanjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=251869
The Saga aluminium rim banjos aren't too bad at all. In my opinion they are better than the multiply rim, rolled brass tone ring banjos. I have the Rover RB40 open back and have tried the Saga SS3.
Besides the usual Recording King and Saga made banjos Goldtone are also Chinese banjos. Goldtone used to use Dae Won so it was possible to see similar banjos rebadged. The Recording King California series were typical decent Dae Won open backs.
As to the various Chinese manufacturers I've seen mentioned it's hard to say. Quality control is unknown. I've read that that was the problem with Dae Won.
Although pleasant surprises are possible, I expect anything sold as a banjo coming direct from China to be less a banjo than a DIY kit of banjo parts. The factories over there seem to be tolerably good at manufacturing those parts to spec's, but have no idea how they're all supposed to fit together and function as a banjo. (look at how they have the tailpiece strung in the photos)
If you are willing and able to tear down, reassemble, and set up a banjo, I'd say you have a reasonable expectation of being satisfied with that one. If you want something you can play right out of the box, look elsewhere.
I agree with Graham hawker that Saga type aluminium pot banjos sound ok. I had one that wasn't too far off my Gretsch Dixie Special (RK 25) 2 ply rim. In fact I recently bought another aluminium pot banjo as a fretless.
The main thing I'd be worried about there is the neck. There's very fancy cheap necks on ebay with lots of elaborate inlays that are reckoned to be complete trash, so if that neck is from such a stable you'd be in trouble.
you can find something like the RK R20 for around 400 to 500 bucks..it has the rolled brass tone ring ,,but sound pretty good. and with the rolled brass tone ring its easy on the back .
It's strange. I come from woodwind land, and Chinese instruments are considered absolute garbage. To be honest, they are. Nobody should be playing Chinese made wind instruments.
When I switched to banjo, I was immediately weary of all the Chinese made instruments, but they seem (I say seem because I don't have much experience with them) like fine instruments. To be honest, I'd buy a Recording King or Gold Star WAY before I would get a Deering Goodtime.
quote:
Originally posted by szbassoonIt's strange. I come from woodwind land, and Chinese instruments are considered absolute garbage. To be honest, they are. Nobody should be playing Chinese made wind instruments.
When I switched to banjo, I was immediately weary of all the Chinese made instruments, but they seem (I say seem because I don't have much experience with them) like fine instruments. To be honest, I'd buy a Recording King or Gold Star WAY before I would get a Deering Goodtime.
RK and Saga (importers of the Gold Star) are American folks who know American instruments. Gold Tone is another importer who deserves mention in that category. They provide their Asian manufacturers with the appropriate specs, and keep an eye on the quality of the product.
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