While shopping online for a tenor banjo recently, I put together the following list so I could do side-by-side comparisons more easily. Maybe it will be useful to others looking for 17- or 19-fret tenor banjos priced between $400 and $2000 USD. By the way, the Vega Style M is no longer available from Gruhn
Just to show you how obsessed I am about these banjos, I have either owned or played examples of every banjo listed. With the exception of the Gibson, they are all good values.
My preference would also be the Paramount A models since they combine the virtues of maple banjos and the Lange designed tone ring. Set up properly, they are killer banjos. I also like the Vega Professional (I own one) which has a different tone but is a quality instrument and a good example of the low end of the professional level vintage banjos that are available (Paramount A, Weymann Style 1, and the B&D Silver Bell #1 and Super Banjo are the other examples - I love them all. The Super banjo and the #1 share the same tone ring as they are both early B&D instruments.)
If you decide on a specific instrument, keep in mind that a good setup will make that banjo sing. As long as the neck is straight on these banjos, you can't go wrong with any of them, just remember that the better banjos cost a little more and that you will probably be most happy with the lower end professional models.
Mike, you probably know this - what are the differences between the Vega Style M and the Vegaphone Professional? They are both tubaphones I believe, same inlays, and other similarities. Were there 19-fret M's? Did the M's ever come with resonators/flanges, or is that the only difference? I went with the Vega M from Gruhn's because of the condition/price but I also really liked the Vegaphone Professional and talked to John Bernunzio about it. Since the flanges are attached to the banjo and not the resonator, it it not a trivial matter to switch back and forth from open-back to resonator, which made the resonator less useful than, say, the ones on the Weymanns for mixed applications. Appreciate your info.
The Model Ms are 17 fret banjos and the Professionals are 19 frets (although there may be a few exceptions, Vega would make one to order.) The Tubaphone ring has been around for many years.
You can add a resonator to the Model M if you want. The Vega system is fairly easy to put on but is not easy to switch around. If you decided to do that, I would just leave the resonator on and stuff socks between the dowel stick and the head when you really need to be quiet - or you could learn to play quietly <G>.
The Professionals are brighter sounding and louder banjos built to be played in jazz bands. The main difference in is the length of the neck, but that is a big difference that would be obvious if you A/B'd them. Both are great banjos and the Model M is loved by a lot of Irish tenor banjo players. I think you made a good choice.
Don't forget to work on the setup if you are not satisfied.
I don't know, but I imagine that they did overlap a little. Most of the other makers were bringing out their 19 fret models in the late '20s while the shorter neck banjos still had some advocates. After a while there were plenty of 17 fret instruments to go around and the interest switched to the brighter sounding louder 19 fret banjos.
Vega banjos are particularily good ones, even at the basic Model N level, because (according to Vin Mondello whose father worked in the Boston banjo making industry) the same people who made the top of the line banjos made the entry level ones on occasion. That is why you will find outstanding Little Wonders (like mine) and an overall higher quality than those made by, say, Slingerland which made a few higher end banjos but lived by the cheapest. Bacon, Weymann, and Lange designed banjos are also good at all levels.
The one advantage that the Model M has over the Professional is that it is less likely that the neck will be warped because there is less stress on the shorter neck. In addition, if you really end up hating your instrument, you will probably get most of your money back by selling it on this list <G>.
I also meant to say that A/B'ing is a good suggestion were it possible. My experience has been that brick and mortar stores within 200 miles of my home (near Boston) never have two items that I would care to compare. In fact, even the bigger online stores usually do not. For example, I did not see any seller with both a Vega M and a Vegaphone Pro. I also often hear the advice to try a "bunch" of examples of a particular instrument and pick the best one of the lot. I tried this when looking for mandolins and even the biggest and best dealer around here did not have two of anything in stock, except for very entry-level instruments. That's why we rely on information from experts like you and generally just hope for the best.
You should do well with the Model M, I have liked every one that I have played. Take time to learn which strings work best (hint: start with the Elderly GHS custom set which is nickel and .044-.012, I think, heavier seems to work better for the shorter scale), adjust the head (there is a thread here that tells you how and heads always need adjusting for the best sound), and change out bridges until you get a sound you like. As you play the banjo you will learn to tweak it to your taste.
That's quite the impressive list of banjos there. Like Mike said, a good setup on any one of those banjos would be pretty much all you would need!
However, in my opinion, the 17 fret banjos never sound as good as the 19 fret ones. So if you're comfortable with the longer scale, I would recommend a 19 fret.
For the last couple of years, I have been playing a 1925 Weymann Style 1 that looks just like the pictures you have there, and I love it. It has a nice ring to it, and it is pretty loud with the inner frosted plastic head that I have on it now.
But I just got my hands on a Paramount "Special" C that was just rebuilt and refinished, and I think it is going to be my new everyday banjo.
One nice thing about the Weymann is that when you take off the "quick releaase" resonator, the brackets are still inside the rim, so it is still smooth and comfortable on your lap. Although, I had to do some work on the "spring clips" that hold the resonator on mine to make it fit a bit more snugly.
The Weymann is a bit shorter scale too, even though they're both 19 frets.
Anyway, I'm considering selling the Weymann. If you're interested, shoot me a private email and we can talk more about it. I've kinda been thinking that I'd hold onto it, but I realized that I haven't touched it once since I got the Paramount.
But any banjo you pick from that list would be a great banjo with a good setup!
Current Banjo Crop
Current Banjo Crop
While shopping online for a tenor banjo recently, I put together the following list so I could do side-by-side comparisons more easily. Maybe it will be useful to others looking for 17- or 19-fret tenor banjos priced between $400 and $2000 USD. By the way, the Vega Style M is no longer available from Gruhn
Bacon & Day Special 19-Fret, Elderly, $685: http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/80U-2037.htm
Bacon & Day Special 19-Fret, Mandolin Brothers, $820: http://www.mandoweb.com/13-7148.jpg
Bacon & Day Style 1, 17-Fret, Gruhn, $1650: http://www.gruhn.com/photo/JE2756.jpg
Bacon & Day Style B, 17-Fret, Intermountain, $750: http://www.guitarandbanjo.com/details/3214.html
Bacon & Day Super Banjo, 19-Fret, Intermountain, $1095: http://www.guitarandbanjo.com/details/3460.html
Gibson TB-2, 17-Fret, Gruhn, $1000: http://www.gruhn.com/photo/JE2727.jpg
Lange-Craft, 19-Fret, Gruhn, $700: http://www.gruhn.com/photo/JE2750.jpg
Ludwig Capitol, 19-Fret, Gruhn, $450: http://www.gruhn.com/photo/JE2701.jpg
Paramount Leader, 19-Fret, Mandolin Brothers, $1129: http://www.mandoweb.com/83-9795.jpg
Paramount Style A, 19-Fret, Gruhn, $1000: http://www.gruhn.com/photo/JE2759.jpg
Paramount Style A, 19-Fret, Bernunzio, $950: http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=0610257
Paramount Style A, 19-Fret, Mandolin Brothers, $1335: http://www.mandoweb.com/48-3952.jpg
Paramount Style C, 19-Fret, Mandolin Brothers, $1335: http://www.mandoweb.com/48-3754.jpg
Slingerland May Bell, 19-Fret, Intermountain, $900: http://www.guitarandbanjo.com/details/3900.html
Vega Style M, 17-Fret, Gruhn, $1000: http://www.gruhn.com/photo/JE2786.jpg
Vega Style M, 17-Fret, Intermountain, $1100: http://www.guitarandbanjo.com/details/3610.html
Vega Style N, 17-Fret, Bernunzio, $595: http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=069900
Vega Style R 17-Fret, SpruceTree, $950: http://www.sprucetreemusic.com/vegawhlayr756.jpg
Vega Vegaphone Professional, 19-Fret, Bernunzio, $1250: http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=0610112
Weymann Style 1, 19-Fret, Bernunzio, $850: http://www.bernunzio.com/item.php?sku=069590
Weymann Style 1, 19-Fret, Mandolin Brothers, $1025: http://www.mandoweb.com/88-2862.jpg
Weymann Style 140, 18-Fret, Vintage Instruments, $425: http://www.vintage-instruments.com/navigate/catidx1.htm
Weymann Style 50, 19-Fret, Vintage Instruments, $550: http://www.vintage-instruments.com/navigate/catidx1.htm
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by bjbutler
Re: Current Banjo Crop
For some reason im drawn to Paramount A's. Are they any good because they seem cheap to me?
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by Newty
Re: Current Banjo Crop
Go for the Vegaphone Pro they're fantastic instruments.
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by millionyears_bc
Re: Current Banjo Crop
Downtown Joe has a Bacon for sale - pretty good condition, he's looking for $750 for it
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by celticagent
Re: Current Banjo Crop
Just to show you how obsessed I am about these banjos, I have either owned or played examples of every banjo listed. With the exception of the Gibson, they are all good values.
My preference would also be the Paramount A models since they combine the virtues of maple banjos and the Lange designed tone ring. Set up properly, they are killer banjos. I also like the Vega Professional (I own one) which has a different tone but is a quality instrument and a good example of the low end of the professional level vintage banjos that are available (Paramount A, Weymann Style 1, and the B&D Silver Bell #1 and Super Banjo are the other examples - I love them all. The Super banjo and the #1 share the same tone ring as they are both early B&D instruments.)
If you decide on a specific instrument, keep in mind that a good setup will make that banjo sing. As long as the neck is straight on these banjos, you can't go wrong with any of them, just remember that the better banjos cost a little more and that you will probably be most happy with the lower end professional models.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by mikeyes
Re: Current Banjo Crop
Mike, you probably know this - what are the differences between the Vega Style M and the Vegaphone Professional? They are both tubaphones I believe, same inlays, and other similarities. Were there 19-fret M's? Did the M's ever come with resonators/flanges, or is that the only difference? I went with the Vega M from Gruhn's because of the condition/price but I also really liked the Vegaphone Professional and talked to John Bernunzio about it. Since the flanges are attached to the banjo and not the resonator, it it not a trivial matter to switch back and forth from open-back to resonator, which made the resonator less useful than, say, the ones on the Weymanns for mixed applications. Appreciate your info.
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by bjbutler
Re: Current Banjo Crop
The Model Ms are 17 fret banjos and the Professionals are 19 frets (although there may be a few exceptions, Vega would make one to order.) The Tubaphone ring has been around for many years.
You can add a resonator to the Model M if you want. The Vega system is fairly easy to put on but is not easy to switch around. If you decided to do that, I would just leave the resonator on and stuff socks between the dowel stick and the head when you really need to be quiet - or you could learn to play quietly <G>.
The Professionals are brighter sounding and louder banjos built to be played in jazz bands. The main difference in is the length of the neck, but that is a big difference that would be obvious if you A/B'd them. Both are great banjos and the Model M is loved by a lot of Irish tenor banjo players. I think you made a good choice.
Don't forget to work on the setup if you are not satisfied.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on November 29th 2006 by mikeyes
Re: Current Banjo Crop
Did the Style M and Vegaphone Professional overlap in time, or did the advent of 19-fret tenors (around 1925 I guess) mean the end of the M?
# Posted on November 30th 2006 by bjbutler
Re: Current Banjo Crop
I don't know, but I imagine that they did overlap a little. Most of the other makers were bringing out their 19 fret models in the late '20s while the shorter neck banjos still had some advocates. After a while there were plenty of 17 fret instruments to go around and the interest switched to the brighter sounding louder 19 fret banjos.
Vega banjos are particularily good ones, even at the basic Model N level, because (according to Vin Mondello whose father worked in the Boston banjo making industry) the same people who made the top of the line banjos made the entry level ones on occasion. That is why you will find outstanding Little Wonders (like mine) and an overall higher quality than those made by, say, Slingerland which made a few higher end banjos but lived by the cheapest. Bacon, Weymann, and Lange designed banjos are also good at all levels.
The one advantage that the Model M has over the Professional is that it is less likely that the neck will be warped because there is less stress on the shorter neck. In addition, if you really end up hating your instrument, you will probably get most of your money back by selling it on this list <G>.
MIke Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on November 30th 2006 by mikeyes
Re: Current Banjo Crop
I also meant to say that A/B'ing is a good suggestion were it possible. My experience has been that brick and mortar stores within 200 miles of my home (near Boston) never have two items that I would care to compare. In fact, even the bigger online stores usually do not. For example, I did not see any seller with both a Vega M and a Vegaphone Pro. I also often hear the advice to try a "bunch" of examples of a particular instrument and pick the best one of the lot. I tried this when looking for mandolins and even the biggest and best dealer around here did not have two of anything in stock, except for very entry-level instruments. That's why we rely on information from experts like you and generally just hope for the best.
# Posted on November 30th 2006 by bjbutler
Re: Current Banjo Crop
You should do well with the Model M, I have liked every one that I have played. Take time to learn which strings work best (hint: start with the Elderly GHS custom set which is nickel and .044-.012, I think, heavier seems to work better for the shorter scale), adjust the head (there is a thread here that tells you how and heads always need adjusting for the best sound), and change out bridges until you get a sound you like. As you play the banjo you will learn to tweak it to your taste.
MIke Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on November 30th 2006 by mikeyes
Re: Current Banjo Crop
That's quite the impressive list of banjos there. Like Mike said, a good setup on any one of those banjos would be pretty much all you would need!
However, in my opinion, the 17 fret banjos never sound as good as the 19 fret ones. So if you're comfortable with the longer scale, I would recommend a 19 fret.
For the last couple of years, I have been playing a 1925 Weymann Style 1 that looks just like the pictures you have there, and I love it. It has a nice ring to it, and it is pretty loud with the inner frosted plastic head that I have on it now.
But I just got my hands on a Paramount "Special" C that was just rebuilt and refinished, and I think it is going to be my new everyday banjo.
One nice thing about the Weymann is that when you take off the "quick releaase" resonator, the brackets are still inside the rim, so it is still smooth and comfortable on your lap. Although, I had to do some work on the "spring clips" that hold the resonator on mine to make it fit a bit more snugly.
The Weymann is a bit shorter scale too, even though they're both 19 frets.
Anyway, I'm considering selling the Weymann. If you're interested, shoot me a private email and we can talk more about it. I've kinda been thinking that I'd hold onto it, but I realized that I haven't touched it once since I got the Paramount.
But any banjo you pick from that list would be a great banjo with a good setup!
Good Luck!
Pete
# Posted on November 30th 2006 by Reverend