Hi, can anyone recommend a banjo for someone that's been playing for about 7 months.I would class him as a good beginner.He's been playing a five string Hondo with the bottom string removed and a capo put on the 5th fret.
I'm a big fan of vintage banjos, which will hold their value better, and can be found for about the same price as the new Gold Tones and Deerings. Vega, Lange (Paramount, Orpheum, Langstile), Bacon & Day, and Weymann are all pretty good.
Ebay can be a good source, if you know what you're looking for, but there's a lot of bad vintage banjos out there too. And a vintage tenor often needs a good setup by someone who knows how to set it up for Irish.
Gold Tone's are nice... he may be better of getting one made though as it will last him longer and he won't need to worry about an upgrade down the track.
In my opinion buying a very cheap beginners banjo is wasted money. Even as beginner you make much faster progress on a good an professional setup banjo. Gold Tone, Vinetages, Deerings, Clareens und Dave Boyle`s are good recommondations. I played on one of the cheapest Clareens an it had got a brilliant tone and action. Even if you give up playing you can sell a worthy instrument for a good price if its in good condition. I wish I had not begun on one of that cheap scrap banjos...
I am happy with my gold tone, but I have never played anything else, but a vega one time, which I did not like. David Boyle's sound really nice, but I think you would have to wait a long time?
I bought a couple of banjos from http://bernunzio.com/
I'd recommend them (if you're in the US). I bought both knowing nothing about banjos (one for my wife, one for my dad... somehow I own both of them now, but that's another story) & the owner was very helpful. I think they have a christmas sale...
I'm with Reverend. I shopped for a good six months and settled on a vintage vega that cost only slightly more than the new Gold Tone tenor; a much better tone, more character and will not depreciate.
It depends on your budget though and the age of the beginner; a cripple creek Gold Tone maybe the right thing for a beginner. My advice is make sure you try before you buy and try as many as you can.
Thanks guys.I'm Ireland but don't want to brake the bank until I know he( 13 years) is going to stick at it. I was thinking €500 range. I wonder does Tom Cussen sell anything in this range(Not Clareen Brand)?
banjo recomendation
banjo recomendation
Hi, can anyone recommend a banjo for someone that's been playing for about 7 months.I would class him as a good beginner.He's been playing a five string Hondo with the bottom string removed and a capo put on the 5th fret.
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by dinn2
Re: banjo recomendation
Gold Tone, Trinity College. Can't go wrong with either. I'm sure you'll get some other chime-ins.
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by Jimmy B
Re: banjo recomendation
I'm a big fan of vintage banjos, which will hold their value better, and can be found for about the same price as the new Gold Tones and Deerings. Vega, Lange (Paramount, Orpheum, Langstile), Bacon & Day, and Weymann are all pretty good.
Ebay can be a good source, if you know what you're looking for, but there's a lot of bad vintage banjos out there too. And a vintage tenor often needs a good setup by someone who knows how to set it up for Irish.
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by Reverend
Re: banjo recomendation
Gold Tone's are nice... he may be better of getting one made though as it will last him longer and he won't need to worry about an upgrade down the track.
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by camwebby
Re: banjo recomendation
In my opinion buying a very cheap beginners banjo is wasted money. Even as beginner you make much faster progress on a good an professional setup banjo. Gold Tone, Vinetages, Deerings, Clareens und Dave Boyle`s are good recommondations. I played on one of the cheapest Clareens an it had got a brilliant tone and action. Even if you give up playing you can sell a worthy instrument for a good price if its in good condition. I wish I had not begun on one of that cheap scrap banjos...
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by banjojan
Re: banjo recomendation
I am happy with my gold tone, but I have never played anything else, but a vega one time, which I did not like. David Boyle's sound really nice, but I think you would have to wait a long time?
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by Earl Cameron
Re: banjo recomendation
I bought a couple of banjos from http://bernunzio.com/
I'd recommend them (if you're in the US). I bought both knowing nothing about banjos (one for my wife, one for my dad... somehow I own both of them now, but that's another story) & the owner was very helpful. I think they have a christmas sale...
# Posted on November 23rd 2009 by Captain Pete
Re: banjo recomendation
Liam,
where are u based?
# Posted on November 24th 2009 by Hugo Chavez
Re: banjo recomendation
I'm with Reverend. I shopped for a good six months and settled on a vintage vega that cost only slightly more than the new Gold Tone tenor; a much better tone, more character and will not depreciate.
It depends on your budget though and the age of the beginner; a cripple creek Gold Tone maybe the right thing for a beginner. My advice is make sure you try before you buy and try as many as you can.
# Posted on November 24th 2009 by Eòsaph
Re: banjo recomendation
Thanks guys.I'm Ireland but don't want to brake the bank until I know he( 13 years) is going to stick at it. I was thinking €500 range. I wonder does Tom Cussen sell anything in this range(Not Clareen Brand)?
# Posted on November 24th 2009 by dinn2
Re: banjo recomendation
Custy's always has a good banjo selection. Which you can Try before you buy .
# Posted on November 24th 2009 by piobagusfidil
Re: banjo recomendation
it's worth ringing Tom Cussens shop to inquire and ask for advice
# Posted on November 24th 2009 by FergalOH
Re: banjo recomendation
Tom usually has some banjos around in that price range, give him a ring and ask.
# Posted on November 25th 2009 by triplet upstairs
Re: banjo recomendation
Try andybanjo.com he knows his stuff, and has a good selection of new and old, and he builds Goldtone banjos.
# Posted on November 29th 2009 by tirvaluk
Re: banjo recomendation
For ideas, check out these two threads, over on 'The Irish Tenor Banjo'.
What is the *Best Banjo* for Irish Music?:
http://theirishtenorbanjo.ning.com/forum/categories/general-discussions/listForCategory
Tenor Banjos that you have owned:
http://theirishtenorbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/tenor-banjos-that-you-have
Or just join up & ask the team yourself!
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by Ptarmigan