I have never played a mountain banjo. With the caveat that it’s oviously less versatile than the Gold Tone, if you’re really sure that’s the sound you want from a banjo, then go ahead. If you are still exploring the banjo and unsure what type of music you want to focus on, then wait. I was at it for about five years before essentially abandoning bluegrass for old-time and traditional playing. Even then I played enough low-end bluegrass to keep a bluegrass banjo around for another ten years. I just wonder if eight months is enough time to really know what you want from playing the banjo. Good luck in continuing to find your way.

Thankyou.

I have no interest in bluegrass. It's all about old time for me.

Buy the mountain banjo if you can afford it but hang on to your Recording King for now. That way, you can play them both and decide if you want to sell it. Who knows, maybe you will be like a lot of other people and find out that each one serves a different purpose and decide to keep both.

I own more than my share of all sorts, including two mountain style of enormous sentimental value.

If the one you're contemplating is fretless (most likely for that genre), those are surprisingly easy to play if you have several years of playing behind you. So, for a beginner, it adds a significant challenge.

Also, the sound output is quite weak relative to a typical pot. That's no problem if you're only playing for yourself or into a mic. But that's quite a restriction.

And, finally, there are set-up and parts choices beyond just using nylon strings that can give you an "older" sound.

Life is too short to only own one banjo.

Date your banjos, don't marry them.

Watch the market, buy used, and you can basically play any banjo you want for free. Buy, sell, buy, sell, trade, etc. If you're patient and don't overspend you can do that basically forever. You can 'own' banjos that are far beyond your budget and playing ability. Over time, every once in a while, you'll turn a very small profit, and eventually you'll end up with more banjos than you can count.

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Originally posted by Banjo Bolton

I'm 8 months into my banjo journey with a handful of songs under my belt.

I play a recording king open back which I have fitted with nylon strings.

It's great, However after listening and enjoying various mountain banjo sounds (such as Noah Clines MountainOpus) and the the chance to purchase a beautiful, professionally made mountain banjo...I'm thinking about the possibility of buying it and then selling my recording king to part find it.

Does anyone else have a mountain banjo as their only banjo?

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Hi banjobolton,

Why sell your recording king when you could just give it away!!! 

I'm up in the North East, would happily take it off you...gratis!!!

I'm new to the banjo too, a little bit less time than you, initially giving three finger style a go but now trying two finger thumb lead. Could you please tell me what kind of songs you have under your belt? I've just listened to some Noah Clines - I wasn't familiar with him - and the playing is lovely. I'd love to try and learn similar stuff.

regards

GS

yes

Go for it! I still regret I didn't buy one when I had the opportunity. And there are plenty of RKs around should you regret you sold yours.

ebay.co.uk/itm/156370171935?ch...9a7eaff9f

this is the banjo

What you selling. A "recording king" can mean many things even in the open back world. What happens if you get the mountain banjo without playing and decide you don't like it?

I try to resell it on and keep the recording king

What model is the Recording King?

It's the open back with frailing scoop. Rem head, nylon strings and no knot tail

If you like the sound, that's what matters. Since you play Old Time, the mountain banjo has a nice mountain sound to it. Mountain banjos do not have the volume of regular banjos due to the smaller head size. Now this is a plus if you're primarily playing at home and don't want to have complaints about how loud you play the banjo. I have two mountain banjos. One I put together from a kit from Carver Banjos, and the other I purchased from Harpkit.

It is hard to be taken seriously as a banjo player if you do not own at least ten banjos. You need to keep the RK and get a second job and get serious about buying more banjos.

Thankyou, and do I need to inform the wife?

The trick is to take an interest in bass fishing. Go shop for bass boats for a month or two. Buy a rod maybe. Bring her to a showroom floor or expo with prices on display.

Then, later, tell her you decided you don't think fishing would be much fun, and you're getting into banjos instead. After this, she'll be thrilled when you only spend $5k on a banjo.

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Originally posted by Banjo Bolt

ebay.co.uk/itm/156370171935?ch...9a7eaff9f
this is the banjo

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I'd ask, then, what does this banjo do or offer that the RK doesn't?

Likewise, what does the RK offer that the mountain banjo doesn't?

At 8 months into banjo playing (and playing an instrument?) are you certain that a 21st century version of a crude instrument is better for making the music you want to make?

In US money, the mountain banjo costs $983. A new RK25OT open back costs $649.  Maybe $475 or so used (363 GBP). Maybe the scarcity of used banjos in the UK gets you a higher price than that -- and a higher percentage of the cost of the mountain banjo.

It's not for anyone here to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. We only know what we'd do. I like the suggestion of trying to have both (in part because I would much rather have the RK than the mountain banjo and actually want neither). But if you really want the mountain banjo and can't afford it -- or can't justify it to your wife -- without selling the RK, then you have your answer.

Good luck.

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Originally posted by Banjo Bolton

Thankyou, and do I need to inform the wife?

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Only if you want to wind up in divorce court.

With a handful of songs under your belt you are just starting out. After you learn 100 or 200 songs you will know whether you want to play them all on a mountain banjo. Maybe you will, but you might also want to have a couple different instruments, especially if you start playing with others.

Is that eBay listing significantly lower than a new one straight from SlimJim? Do any of the customizations really matter? If not, definitely just save for the future.

I'd recommend sticking with the standard RK for awhile unless you really love the difference in sound enough for it to be the only sound for awhile.

Okay, lots of opinions including several from people who don't get old time and some who seem to view instruments as investments rather than companions. I'd say, if you can afford it, and it calls to you, buy it. You'll see soon enough if it's yours, or whether you're holding it for someone else in the future. Sure, you're just starting out. And what if this is the one that really unlocks it for you? OT banjo is not about sensible decisions and financial calculations. If it's under your skin, then follow your hunches. It's a journey, and you may as well press on. Godspeed!

I’ve got two Clifford Glenn mountain banjos. One strung with nylon, gut if I can find them; and one strung with steel. They are a lot of fun, both are frettless and a whole different experience than my other banjo, a bacon style AE Smith. I also have a gourd that I built from scratch.

If you can afford one get it. If you have access to a shop do some research, find a pattern and build one.

There is a whole sub genre of really. Thumpy music. Out of the Carolina’s piedmont that I love to play on them. Search the Smithsonian/Folkways website for field recordings. For what it’s worth for $5 a month investment it’s one of the best streaming values out there.

I played a David Love fretted mountain banjo for 30 years and have 7 mountain banjos total including 2 Stanley Hicks banjos. Mountain banjos are my favorite to play but I need a wider neck for clawhammer so I play an old Vega Folk Range, but hope to build my own mountain banjo eventually with a wider neck. I like wide spacing at both nut and bridge.

Son, you only ever need one more banjo.