Hi Everybody! I'm an absolute beginner (I was a career musician, but just recently picked up the banjo), and have been learning on my bare bones, basic Morgan Monroe Rocky Top RT B18 beginner model. I've been seeing some reasonable prices (under $500) for Framus Contessa banjos from the 1960s, and I keep reading good things about them.
Would a Framus Contessa, in good condition, be an upgrade from my beginner model Rocky Top? Later on, I'd love to get a Recording King RK R-35, but it's not quite affordable for me at the moment. The Contessas are so budget-friendly, and as I mentioned, I've seen some remarkably positive comments on this site about them--so it seems as if it really would be an upgrade from my RT (which is made of a composite material).
If any of you could share your thoughts on this, I'd greatly appreciate it!
Welcome to the Hangout and banjo!
Based on what I've seen of the Framus in some quick Web searching (including previous discussions here) I'd say it's definitely some level of upgrade from the near lowest-level possible Morgan Monroe RTB18.
The Framus is its own thing. Nothing else like it and not many in circulation. People like its sound and unique construction. Especially its multi-laminated neck that is highly resistant to warping or twisting. I had a Framus guitar in the early 70s and remember the neck as extremely playable.
One criticism from a few people is the narrowness of the neck. Maybe that's a non-issue or even benefit for a woman.
Good luck.
Some Framus and some Contessa models would be upgrades from an MRT, others not so much. We cannot really tell without seeing pictures of the model(s) you're looking at. Please post pictures, or links to them, so we can properly evaluate them for you. Their higher models are amazing instruments, their lower models are average but still quite good.
Ken: I remember being told to get a wider neck for my Framus way-back-when as the original was regarded to be way to narrow. I did end up with wider neck and yup, I did like it. Fast forward several decades and as I got to know more about banjos, I picked up an identical Framus as a spare in case anything ever happened to my hot-rodded one. I started playing that spare and my fingers found the "way-to-narrow" neck actually real comfy to play. I guess sometime experience counts for something every now and then 
Edited by - Bart Veerman on 11/08/2024 09:44:38
As a banjo teacher here of both BG & CH, I recommend to my potential students to get an instrument that they could afford and one that can be set up to be playable. Your RT 18 fits that bill. This one should see you through for formative learning process until you outgrow it. At this point, you will be ready for an upgrade to a better instrument. I seriously doubt that going to this Framus will help you in anyway to learn the banjo. Save your money for a better instrument.
I’ve gotta be honest, you don’t want a Framus.
quote:
Originally posted by BrettI’ve gotta be honest, you don’t want a Framus.
Why would that be Brett, I'm really curious what would make you say that. Have you ever played a properly setup Framus?
quote:
Originally posted by Bart Veermanquote:
Originally posted by BrettI’ve gotta be honest, you don’t want a Framus.
Why would that be Brett, I'm really curious what would make you say that. Have you ever played a properly setup Framus?
Yes I have.
Thanks very much for all your comments and advice! Sorry to take so long responding--right after I posted this, I was down for the count with COVID and am just now starting to feel human again.
For now, I'll hold off on the Framus Contessa, and keep honing my skills on the Rocky Top. Once I'm ready, I'll save up for the RK R-35 that I really want.
Thanks again!
