Hi
Am intermediate level banjo player, but working hard at it. I was wondering if people had a choice of some thing like a Clareen banjo say OYSTER DELUXE TENOR BANJO new, (See http://banjo.ie/index.php?module=workshop.category&id=2) or something like a Gibson Mastertone (pre war,) for about the same price, which would they choose.
As far as I can see all the top players seem to play olderr banjos,
Thanks
Dave
didn't fancy the clareen i had a go at, much prefered my sully's short scale. recently got a 1929 vega little wonder, which i'm finding very hard to put down.
I have always advocated for vintage banjos over new, the primary reasons being that older banjos will sound better and they are a terrific value as long as you don't buy a 1927-1941 Gibson Mastertone (or now any Gibson in that age range.) For 1500 USD or so you can buy a low end professional banjo that will meet all of your needs.
For European buyers, however, there are some problems with this meme: US vintage banjos are overpriced in the market, there are few luthiers who know how to fix and set up banjos in general and especially vintage banjos (including Paragons.) In addition the availability of vintage parts is limited in Europe. In the States that is not as much of a problem because there are plenty of banjos to go around.
GO'C plays a Mastertone, but it is a 1925. A terrific banjo (I have one) but not what the blugrassers want so it never skyrocketed in price. He also has an Epiphone Recording A, an Essex Paragon, and a David Boyle (you can see them on his web site http://www.gerryoconnor.com). You can have one for about 2000 USD if you want.
3700 Euros translates to 5000 USD these days, enough money for you to fly to Nashville, Rochester, Philadelphia, and New York City and buy any banjo you want while still having money left over as long as you stay away from your Mastertone. It would probably be cheaper to pick out the instruments you want on the net and then fly over, but you get my point.
The advantage of buying a Clareen (for example) is that it is brand new and will be warranteed by Tom Cussen, who is probably the best setup man in Ireland. In addition, if anything goes wrong, he will have the parts available (some of his parts are standard others are made just for him) to fix it and you can get it back in a reasonable time. Still, at that price point, it is tempting to get an old masterpiece.
In the end you should get the banjo you love. Don't be like me and have too many banjos because you love the one you are with <G>
I've had a short-scale Clareen Oyster for 13 years now and it is a terrific banjo. Lots of other players have borrowed it over this time and I don't think anyone has failed to be impressed. I'm sure there are other modern luthiers (and old brands) who also make banjos that you would be happy with. But you cannot go wrong with one of Tom's Banjos. Tom is a top man to deal with too.
Try and find out if you live near someone who has one of his banjos and see if you can try it out. I did this (at Tom's suggestion) before buying mine.
I also tried a number of older banjos, and visited Sully's salesroom before buying. I liked a lot of the older banjos, but decided to go for a modern one for the reasons Mike gives above. At that time I personally prefered the Clareen to any of Sully's banjos that I tried out, but they were fine Banjos too. I've played a few of Tom's more recent banjos in the intervening years, but haven't tried a more recent "Sully".
I suggest you go for the Gibson, if you can really get one for the same price as the Clareen Oyster, and assuming the Gibson is in good shape. For one thing, you're guaranteed a comparable resale price if you decide you don't like it. I play a banjo with a Mastertone neck and a pot with a Mastertone-style tone ring on it, and am very happy with it. It's got a very rich base tone to it which suits me, and though the neck is 19 frets, it's about an inch and a half shorter than the Clareen 19-fret neck, which makes playing a bit more comfortable. As Mike says, though, the bottom line should be whether the banjo fits with you, and you may not be able to tell unless you try a bunch of different banjos. Good luck!
I am generally a fan of vintage banjos. I am currently playing a 1934 Paramount "Special" C, I recently sold a 1920(ish) Orpheum #1 to Cheshire Puddy Tat (somewhat reluctantly), and I also have a 1925 Weymann Orchestra Style 2. I have never been a huge fan of the Gibsons (I know... blasphemy!)
But I will say that, having played the Oyster (and all the other models) at Tom's shop in Clarenbridge just a couple of months ago, that Oyster is one sweet banjo! That would be my choice, hands down. I think the Clareens are certainly holding their value - especially with the Irish players. So I wouldn't sweat that too much.
Patrick got it right though... If you have the capability, play them both and see which one feels (and sounds) right to you.
BTW, I'm still taking donations to be able to afford a Paragon (there was one in Tom's shop when I was there... good thing it wasn't for sale yet, or I wouldn't have been able to afford to fly back to the States!)
Choose a banjo
Choose a banjo
Hi
Am intermediate level banjo player, but working hard at it. I was wondering if people had a choice of some thing like a Clareen banjo say OYSTER DELUXE TENOR BANJO new, (See http://banjo.ie/index.php?module=workshop.category&id=2) or something like a Gibson Mastertone (pre war,) for about the same price, which would they choose.
As far as I can see all the top players seem to play olderr banjos,
Thanks
Dave
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by daphil
Re: Choose a banjo
didn't fancy the clareen i had a go at, much prefered my sully's short scale. recently got a 1929 vega little wonder, which i'm finding very hard to put down.
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by molloy
Re: Choose a banjo
I have always advocated for vintage banjos over new, the primary reasons being that older banjos will sound better and they are a terrific value as long as you don't buy a 1927-1941 Gibson Mastertone (or now any Gibson in that age range.) For 1500 USD or so you can buy a low end professional banjo that will meet all of your needs.
For European buyers, however, there are some problems with this meme: US vintage banjos are overpriced in the market, there are few luthiers who know how to fix and set up banjos in general and especially vintage banjos (including Paragons.) In addition the availability of vintage parts is limited in Europe. In the States that is not as much of a problem because there are plenty of banjos to go around.
GO'C plays a Mastertone, but it is a 1925. A terrific banjo (I have one) but not what the blugrassers want so it never skyrocketed in price. He also has an Epiphone Recording A, an Essex Paragon, and a David Boyle (you can see them on his web site http://www.gerryoconnor.com). You can have one for about 2000 USD if you want.
3700 Euros translates to 5000 USD these days, enough money for you to fly to Nashville, Rochester, Philadelphia, and New York City and buy any banjo you want while still having money left over as long as you stay away from your Mastertone. It would probably be cheaper to pick out the instruments you want on the net and then fly over, but you get my point.
The advantage of buying a Clareen (for example) is that it is brand new and will be warranteed by Tom Cussen, who is probably the best setup man in Ireland. In addition, if anything goes wrong, he will have the parts available (some of his parts are standard others are made just for him) to fix it and you can get it back in a reasonable time. Still, at that price point, it is tempting to get an old masterpiece.
In the end you should get the banjo you love. Don't be like me and have too many banjos because you love the one you are with <G>
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Choose a banjo
Hi Daphil,
I've had a short-scale Clareen Oyster for 13 years now and it is a terrific banjo. Lots of other players have borrowed it over this time and I don't think anyone has failed to be impressed. I'm sure there are other modern luthiers (and old brands) who also make banjos that you would be happy with. But you cannot go wrong with one of Tom's Banjos. Tom is a top man to deal with too.
Try and find out if you live near someone who has one of his banjos and see if you can try it out. I did this (at Tom's suggestion) before buying mine.
I also tried a number of older banjos, and visited Sully's salesroom before buying. I liked a lot of the older banjos, but decided to go for a modern one for the reasons Mike gives above. At that time I personally prefered the Clareen to any of Sully's banjos that I tried out, but they were fine Banjos too. I've played a few of Tom's more recent banjos in the intervening years, but haven't tried a more recent "Sully".
- Chris
# Posted on May 21st 2007 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Choose a banjo
I suggest you go for the Gibson, if you can really get one for the same price as the Clareen Oyster, and assuming the Gibson is in good shape. For one thing, you're guaranteed a comparable resale price if you decide you don't like it. I play a banjo with a Mastertone neck and a pot with a Mastertone-style tone ring on it, and am very happy with it. It's got a very rich base tone to it which suits me, and though the neck is 19 frets, it's about an inch and a half shorter than the Clareen 19-fret neck, which makes playing a bit more comfortable. As Mike says, though, the bottom line should be whether the banjo fits with you, and you may not be able to tell unless you try a bunch of different banjos. Good luck!
# Posted on May 21st 2007 by patrick cavanagh
Re: Choose a banjo
I am generally a fan of vintage banjos. I am currently playing a 1934 Paramount "Special" C, I recently sold a 1920(ish) Orpheum #1 to Cheshire Puddy Tat (somewhat reluctantly), and I also have a 1925 Weymann Orchestra Style 2. I have never been a huge fan of the Gibsons (I know... blasphemy!)
But I will say that, having played the Oyster (and all the other models) at Tom's shop in Clarenbridge just a couple of months ago, that Oyster is one sweet banjo! That would be my choice, hands down. I think the Clareens are certainly holding their value - especially with the Irish players. So I wouldn't sweat that too much.
Patrick got it right though... If you have the capability, play them both and see which one feels (and sounds) right to you.
BTW, I'm still taking donations to be able to afford a Paragon (there was one in Tom's shop when I was there... good thing it wasn't for sale yet, or I wouldn't have been able to afford to fly back to the States!)
Pete
# Posted on May 21st 2007 by Reverend
Re: Choose a banjo
Thanks for your imput lads, I am as wise as ever . Will have to give this more thought,
Dave
Cork
# Posted on May 21st 2007 by daphil