I need some quick advice (for tomorrow!) on which of the following two tenor banjos you would buy:
1) Paramount: lower level, spartan aesthetics (small pearl dots), 19 fret, walnut or mahogany?, skin head, ARCHTOP, planetary tuners, $600 USD
2) Slingerland: nice herringbone marquetry in red, yellow, green, and black; 19 fret, synthetic head, walnut, non-planetery tuners (newer), $675 USD
* Both come with a case and both have been professionaly set up. The Slingerland is a little easier to fret (lower action?) and looks a bit more stable (the Paramount has some more serious nicks and binding peeling issues...). If I had to pick right now, I'd go for the Slingerland, but people have told me that an archtop Paramount is much-sought-after. I like the Slingerland's tone better.
Any advice from you tenor players out there would be greatly appreciated!
I'd go for preferred tone over "name" popularity any day. I should add the disclaimer, I have an anonymous 1920ish tenor banjo that is most likely a Slingerland...and I love the tone, too.
If it is a Paramount A, Leader, or even a Langestyle, I'd go for the Paramount assuming it has the typical archtop (a ring with a bunch of metal thingies holding the ring up) mostly because if setup porperly, it is a better banjo. But if the neck is warped badly, it may not be so good Slingerlands tend to be only so-so banjos as far as quality goes until the upper reaches of the Maybelle line. The nicks and binding issues are easily fixed.
The proof, however, is in the playing. I love Paramounts and only have a mild interest in Slingerlands and would give the Paramount the benefit of the doubt. In addition, the Paramount will hold its value a little better. If the Slingerland really turns you on, get it.
I have a really nice old 17-fret Slingerland that was a piece of crap when it came into my custody, but a little TLC and quite a few new parts corrected the crappiness. The Paramount was originally the better instrument, but you have to consider whether it can be brought back for a reasonable cost.
From your description, I would say that the Slingerland is a better buy if you're looking for an instrument to play right now. The Paramount would be the better buy if you're not worried about the potential cost of repairs or if you are looking for something to sell or trade when you see a better instrument that you can't resist.
Paramount or Slingerland?
Paramount or Slingerland?
Hello, friends!
I need some quick advice (for tomorrow!) on which of the following two tenor banjos you would buy:
1) Paramount: lower level, spartan aesthetics (small pearl dots), 19 fret, walnut or mahogany?, skin head, ARCHTOP, planetary tuners, $600 USD
2) Slingerland: nice herringbone marquetry in red, yellow, green, and black; 19 fret, synthetic head, walnut, non-planetery tuners (newer), $675 USD
* Both come with a case and both have been professionaly set up. The Slingerland is a little easier to fret (lower action?) and looks a bit more stable (the Paramount has some more serious nicks and binding peeling issues...). If I had to pick right now, I'd go for the Slingerland, but people have told me that an archtop Paramount is much-sought-after. I like the Slingerland's tone better.
Any advice from you tenor players out there would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
~Sean
# Posted on June 18th 2006 by DADGADLad
Re: Paramount or Slingerland?
Paramount. Every day and twice on Sundays.
# Posted on June 18th 2006 by Upsetter
Re: Paramount or Slingerland?
I'd go for preferred tone over "name" popularity any day. I should add the disclaimer, I have an anonymous 1920ish tenor banjo that is most likely a Slingerland...and I love the tone, too.
Eric
# Posted on June 18th 2006 by Jayhawk
Re: Paramount or Slingerland?
If it is a Paramount A, Leader, or even a Langestyle, I'd go for the Paramount assuming it has the typical archtop (a ring with a bunch of metal thingies holding the ring up) mostly because if setup porperly, it is a better banjo. But if the neck is warped badly, it may not be so good Slingerlands tend to be only so-so banjos as far as quality goes until the upper reaches of the Maybelle line. The nicks and binding issues are easily fixed.
The proof, however, is in the playing. I love Paramounts and only have a mild interest in Slingerlands and would give the Paramount the benefit of the doubt. In addition, the Paramount will hold its value a little better. If the Slingerland really turns you on, get it.
MIke Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on June 18th 2006 by mikeyes
Re: Paramount or Slingerland?
I have a really nice old 17-fret Slingerland that was a piece of crap when it came into my custody, but a little TLC and quite a few new parts corrected the crappiness. The Paramount was originally the better instrument, but you have to consider whether it can be brought back for a reasonable cost.
From your description, I would say that the Slingerland is a better buy if you're looking for an instrument to play right now. The Paramount would be the better buy if you're not worried about the potential cost of repairs or if you are looking for something to sell or trade when you see a better instrument that you can't resist.
# Posted on June 18th 2006 by Charmion
Re: Paramount or Slingerland?
So, Sean, What did you decide to do?
MIke Keyes
Http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on June 20th 2006 by mikeyes