Does anyone own a Kells Irish tenor banjo.
If so what do you think of it? I would really like to have one but
can't find one in the USA. I found two music stores in England that
have them but won't ship to the USA.
I don't know anything about Ozark banjos, but their web site has a page with a link for inquiries about buying one outside the UK. Go here: http://www.ozark-acoustic.com/dealerships.html and scroll down to the page bottom.
Yes, I have already done that. At the present time there are no dealers in the USA. The parent company of Ozark is looking for a dealership in the USA,but at this time there isn't one.
try eaglemusicshop.com if you haven't already I saw one there today. I think they ship instruments all over the place. The Kells banjo is good - the archtop tone ring gives a good sound for Irish style playing and the inlay work is high quality and copied accurately from the Kells source.
Any particular reason whey you want Ozark? There are a number of similar Asian banjos marketed in the States for a lot less than you would play to have one shipped over here.
You are talking $1000 plus shipping which could result in another $200. For $1200 you can buy a Deering Sierra, any of a number of vintage professional model Paramounts (a Paramount A just went for $699 on ebay), Vega, Weymann, B&D, or even an Epihone Recording A from a relaiable dealer in the States.
The ozark is not much different from a Gold Tone for a lot more money than a similar banjo from them. Don't be fooled by the abalone or finish, most of that does not contribute to the sound or playabiltity. And as soon as you have the banjo in your hands, it has decreased in value by 40%.
I have a Gold Tone and am happy with it. The ozark is just something I am curious about but can't find one in the USA to try out. I have found a banjo maker here in the States that is going to make some custom Irish tenor banjos,and I am in contact with him on design and inlay.
Deerings are certainly superior. If you want a really good Irish tenor get a Deering built Vega No2 like I did (or buy a vintage 19 fret Vega tubaphone model).
I don't think that Gold Tone instruments - at least as marketed in the UK - represent better value than Ozark. Here one pays a premium for the Gold Tone label, probably because Gold Tones were originally sold as "American built".
In the UK the Ozak Kells banjo looks like good value at less than half the price of a Deering Sierra and less than a Gold tone flathead tenor. Sure, it will depreciate instantly (so will the Gold Tone), but if you're going to be playing it for twenty years (and the Kells looks well enough built to last that long), what the Hell? It'll sound good and look great.
Thanks for all the replies.
If things work out like I think they are going to,I will have some information to post about a new Irish tenor being built here in the States. Maybe In a month I can give more information.
Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
Does anyone own a Kells Irish tenor banjo.
If so what do you think of it? I would really like to have one but
can't find one in the USA. I found two music stores in England that
have them but won't ship to the USA.
# Posted on April 21st 2007 by Sage
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
I don't know anything about Ozark banjos, but their web site has a page with a link for inquiries about buying one outside the UK. Go here: http://www.ozark-acoustic.com/dealerships.html and scroll down to the page bottom.
# Posted on April 21st 2007 by Will Harmon
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
Yes, I have already done that. At the present time there are no dealers in the USA. The parent company of Ozark is looking for a dealership in the USA,but at this time there isn't one.
# Posted on April 21st 2007 by Sage
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
try eaglemusicshop.com if you haven't already I saw one there today. I think they ship instruments all over the place. The Kells banjo is good - the archtop tone ring gives a good sound for Irish style playing and the inlay work is high quality and copied accurately from the Kells source.
# Posted on April 21st 2007 by millionyears_bc
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
Sage,
Any particular reason whey you want Ozark? There are a number of similar Asian banjos marketed in the States for a lot less than you would play to have one shipped over here.
You are talking $1000 plus shipping which could result in another $200. For $1200 you can buy a Deering Sierra, any of a number of vintage professional model Paramounts (a Paramount A just went for $699 on ebay), Vega, Weymann, B&D, or even an Epihone Recording A from a relaiable dealer in the States.
The ozark is not much different from a Gold Tone for a lot more money than a similar banjo from them. Don't be fooled by the abalone or finish, most of that does not contribute to the sound or playabiltity. And as soon as you have the banjo in your hands, it has decreased in value by 40%.
Sorry, this si my standard soapbox rant.
MIke Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on April 22nd 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
I have a Gold Tone and am happy with it. The ozark is just something I am curious about but can't find one in the USA to try out. I have found a banjo maker here in the States that is going to make some custom Irish tenor banjos,and I am in contact with him on design and inlay.
# Posted on April 22nd 2007 by Sage
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
Deerings are certainly superior. If you want a really good Irish tenor get a Deering built Vega No2 like I did (or buy a vintage 19 fret Vega tubaphone model).
I don't think that Gold Tone instruments - at least as marketed in the UK - represent better value than Ozark. Here one pays a premium for the Gold Tone label, probably because Gold Tones were originally sold as "American built".
In the UK the Ozak Kells banjo looks like good value at less than half the price of a Deering Sierra and less than a Gold tone flathead tenor. Sure, it will depreciate instantly (so will the Gold Tone), but if you're going to be playing it for twenty years (and the Kells looks well enough built to last that long), what the Hell? It'll sound good and look great.
# Posted on April 22nd 2007 by millionyears_bc
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
Thanks for all the replies.
If things work out like I think they are going to,I will have some information to post about a new Irish tenor being built here in the States. Maybe In a month I can give more information.
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by Sage
Re: Ozark "Kells" Irish tenor banjo
As they say, "Ozrark is Krazo spelled backward."
# Posted on April 25th 2007 by devellis