I’m looking for something that offers tonal contrast to my Reiter Grand Concert. I’ve got my mind made up for specs but I’m not sure which direction to go.
Here’s my criteria:
- 12” Walnut rim and neck
- 25.5” (or close) scale length
- Rolled Brass tone ring
- under $1300 (would buy used)
Here’s my last one: I would like something with a more interesting looking headstock than a simple square-shaped pegboard. Bonus points for inlay/carving/visual embellishments.
What do ya think?
At your price point, you are unlikely to get embellishments, and you’ll have to do with a plain headstock. An Enoch Tradesman comes to mind, but they don’t have a rolled brass ring. Since you seem to want something different from a tone-ring sound, that would be farther from the Reiter. Used ones can be had.
I have a used Enoch Tradesman with a walnut neck and a 12" rim for $1,100. No extra inlay, and the peghead is simple, Bringing it up in case it seems to be the best route to go.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
Check out Zachary Hoyt. He is a member here and builds some fine looking banjos along the lines of what you want.
quote:
Originally posted by CullodenCheck out Zachary Hoyt. He is a member here and builds some fine looking banjos along the lines of what you want.
After looking through his offerings that looks like my best bet so far. Thank you!
Bart Reiter made some 12" rim walnut banjos with round brass tone hoop. It'd be within your budget and having two contrasting Reiter's might be fun. I have a 90s WL #2 and a recent Dobaphone and it's neat to be able to have such a large tonal and aesthetic variance from the same maker.
Check out the Stone Banjos. I think one of them will tick off most of your boxes, the exception being visual embellishments.
Anyone else feel like you should be able to get a banjo made completely of non-plasticized components and a headstock that saw a few minutes on a bandsaw for under $1000?
There are luthiers who build Telecasters for the same amount of money I see going into banjo prices right now. Are banjos just super hot at the moment?
quote:
Originally posted by WinecasterAnyone else feel like you should be able to get a banjo made completely of non-plasticized components and a headstock that saw a few minutes on a bandsaw for under $1000?
There are luthiers who build Telecasters for the same amount of money I see going into banjo prices right now. Are banjos just super hot at the moment?
Only if you don't appreciate the amount of time and effort required to make a decent banjo.
quote:
Originally posted by GrahamHawkerquote:
Originally posted by WinecasterAnyone else feel like you should be able to get a banjo made completely of non-plasticized components and a headstock that saw a few minutes on a bandsaw for under $1000?
There are luthiers who build Telecasters for the same amount of money I see going into banjo prices right now. Are banjos just super hot at the moment?Only if you don't appreciate the amount of time and effort required to make a decent banjo.
I'll admit I don't know anything about the build process. It's just seems to be a simple instrument. I guess it's ignorance. Didn't mean any offense to builders out there.
quote:
Originally posted by Winecasterquote:
Originally posted by GrahamHawkerquote:
Originally posted by WinecasterAnyone else feel like you should be able to get a banjo made completely of non-plasticized components and a headstock that saw a few minutes on a bandsaw for under $1000?
There are luthiers who build Telecasters for the same amount of money I see going into banjo prices right now. Are banjos just super hot at the moment?Only if you don't appreciate the amount of time and effort required to make a decent banjo.
I'll admit I don't know anything about the build process. It's just seems to be a simple instrument. I guess it's ignorance. Didn't mean any offense to builders out there.
Well, it may be simpler than an acoustic guitar or violin, but a banjo is a way more complex piece of woodworking than a Telecaster!
Just a quick reply to "...headstock that saw a few minutes on a bandsaw..."
You will notice that a guitar peghead (forgive me, I'm used to "peghead") shape is cut perpendicular to the plane of the peghead which is fairly straightforward — the face of the peghead is in contact with the bandsaw table all the way around. On the other hand, almost all banjo pegheads are cut perpendicular to the plane of the fretboard which is quite difficult and somewhat dangerous — if the bandsaw blade binds in a tight curve it can throw the workpiece. I know this from personal experience and it is not fun. (CNC has revolutionized the rough shaping of banjo and guitar necks.)
Also, because of this difference, binding a banjo peghead is almost impossible with all the curves and compound angle cuts depending on the complexity of the outline.
This is just a small example of why high quality (and highly decorated) instruments are more than $1000.
I appreciate the knowledge being shared here so far. Please do pardon my ignorance. I just did some research into making a banjo pot and that alone made me see the value.
My initial perspective was coming from a lifetime in the guitar world, where makers like Martin went from wood fretboard and inlay to richlite and decals (headstock). I took that as a sign of saving money over providing quality but now I understand the banjo world is a bit different in that regard.
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