Can anyone give me info on these banjos? Quality etc.
Something like the one in these pics. http://www.lisashea.com/hobbies/music/banjo/
If they were set up professionally would they make a decent improvers/intermediate banjo? Thanks
Those are playable, but not great banjos, in my opinion. If I remember correctly, that is the company that evolved into the Kay Banjo company. They made a lot of inexpensive banjos, many of which were branded something else, but you can always recognize them from the flange that alternates between round holes and slots. And they often had an asymmetrical peg head too. The tension brackets are actually all bracing against the flange, not against individual "shoes". And at best, I think it would have a simple metal strip as its tone ring.
I had one of those, in passing, a few years ago. I had bought it on eBay, fixed it up, and sold it for twice what I paid. But it was not a good sounding banjo. That one looks like a bit of a higher model than the one I had, with geared tuners, etc. But I still wouldn't trust it, necessarily. I would go for a vintage Bacon, Vega, Paramount, or Orpheum, if I were you...
I bought a Stromberg Banjo from Tom in Clareen Banjos in Galway, about 2 yrs ago, and despite the pretty negative feedback on this site, Im very happy with it.
My banjo is a Stromberg Voisinet banjo, circa 1930.
If I ever win the lotto I might buy a new one, but failing that I am more than happy to stay with this banjo for the next while.
Not to be confused with the (I understand entirely unrelated) Stromberg Company of Boston who made a small number of mostly high quality tenor banjos. These were often made with a 'marimbaphone' or 'cupperphone' tone ring of many brass tubes which make a fine noise. They later made highly regarded arch-top guitars for jazz players.
This company seems to have used some of the Vega company (also of Boston) suppliers of banjo parts and hardware, which helps on the quality side, but they seem to have made only to order and I have never seen a Stromberg catalogue.
Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
Can anyone give me info on these banjos? Quality etc.
Something like the one in these pics. http://www.lisashea.com/hobbies/music/banjo/
If they were set up professionally would they make a decent improvers/intermediate banjo? Thanks
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by dinn2
Re: Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
Those are playable, but not great banjos, in my opinion. If I remember correctly, that is the company that evolved into the Kay Banjo company. They made a lot of inexpensive banjos, many of which were branded something else, but you can always recognize them from the flange that alternates between round holes and slots. And they often had an asymmetrical peg head too. The tension brackets are actually all bracing against the flange, not against individual "shoes". And at best, I think it would have a simple metal strip as its tone ring.
I had one of those, in passing, a few years ago. I had bought it on eBay, fixed it up, and sold it for twice what I paid. But it was not a good sounding banjo. That one looks like a bit of a higher model than the one I had, with geared tuners, etc. But I still wouldn't trust it, necessarily. I would go for a vintage Bacon, Vega, Paramount, or Orpheum, if I were you...
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by Reverend
Re: Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
Good god, the state of it! A right looking piece of tat.
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by Backer
Re: Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
Actually, I just noticed that the one in the pictures only has 1 geared tuner, the others are friction...
Anyway... I would stay away...
# Posted on January 7th 2010 by Reverend
Re: Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
I bought a Stromberg Banjo from Tom in Clareen Banjos in Galway, about 2 yrs ago, and despite the pretty negative feedback on this site, Im very happy with it.
My banjo is a Stromberg Voisinet banjo, circa 1930.
If I ever win the lotto I might buy a new one, but failing that I am more than happy to stay with this banjo for the next while.
# Posted on January 8th 2010 by BanjoBongo
Re: Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
Not to be confused with the (I understand entirely unrelated) Stromberg Company of Boston who made a small number of mostly high quality tenor banjos. These were often made with a 'marimbaphone' or 'cupperphone' tone ring of many brass tubes which make a fine noise. They later made highly regarded arch-top guitars for jazz players.
This company seems to have used some of the Vega company (also of Boston) suppliers of banjo parts and hardware, which helps on the quality side, but they seem to have made only to order and I have never seen a Stromberg catalogue.
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by straysider
Re: Stromberg Voisinet banjo..
Sorry straysider. which company used "marimbaphone' or 'cupperphone' tone rings? The one I'm talking about?
# Posted on January 12th 2010 by dinn2