Folks I am looking for a cheap tenor banjo for knocking about on at home. I'd rather not buy a Deering or McBrides banjo from Waltons or the like. The general concensus on this site is that a vintage banjo is the way to go. However they seem hard enough to come across.
You should have no probs importing , possible tax though.. but unlikely.
Vintage banjo's are dear. less than 400... doubt it. but U might B lucky. Try Custys in Ennis and Crowleys in Cork. The banjo on ebay.. at a guess over a grand. just a guess though.
Have you tried Andy perkins Tel 01795 590374 website enquiries@andybanjo.com I got my second hand banjo from him some 4 years ago and every one that plays it say,s what a lovely sound (17 fret vega ) des
I like the Orpheum #1 banjos. They're about the only open back banjo that I have played that has a nice ring, without being too "plunky". (This is a personal preference, of course). I bought one for $260 US, but it needed a fair amount of work. I then sold it to Will CPT. I would expect to pay somewhere between $550-$1000 for one of those, depending on condition. That one looks pretty decent.
You will pay import taxes if you're buying from outside of Ireland, I would assume. It might still be worth it, with the conversion rate and the weak US Dollar.
Tom Cussen has some vintage banjos, you might talk to him over in Clarenbridge. And keep your eye on ebay.ie too. There is currently a nice looking Orpheum #3 on there (but out of your price range).
I once had an Orpheum #1, lovely little thing. The reason for sale was having a better, louder, one. Mine was not very loud, due to a very thick skin on it. But with a very very tight skin, it should be a lovely little thing! I paid about 500 dollars at the time, off Bernunzio.com
I have seen several of these on eBay over the last 4 months or so and they have generally been going for about $500 - $650. The condition of them was about the same as the one linked to above.
this is what i play - got mine from bernunzio as well. mine has a plastic head (VERY tight) and geared tuners. by the time i d paid import / shipping i'd shelled out £370.
i like it. its not perfect, but it's pretty good.
i have to compromise string weight against action, but i guess you d have to do that on any instrument without a truss rod. for example, i was playing with 42 32 22 12 guage and would have liked heavier strings, but instead i ve now moved down to 40 30 20 10 for a better action.
tone is good and i also think they're nice to look at.
hope this helps.
btw, i was really impressed with bernunzio. really helpful, great selection, and bombproof packaging. their advice and willingness to set the banjo as i wanted was very reassuring since i was buying online / untried
Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
Howya,
Folks I am looking for a cheap tenor banjo for knocking about on at home. I'd rather not buy a Deering or McBrides banjo from Waltons or the like. The general concensus on this site is that a vintage banjo is the way to go. However they seem hard enough to come across.
How about this Orpheum on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Orpheum-No-1-Tenor-Banjo-Early-1900s_W0QQitemZ330237495672QQihZ014QQcategoryZ10177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
How much would one typically pay for such instrument? Is it unwise to ship a banjo from the USA to Ireland?
Or is there anywhere in Ireland I can pick up a vintage tenor banjo for under €400?
Thanks!
# Posted on May 22nd 2008 by ireland78
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
You should have no probs importing , possible tax though.. but unlikely.
Vintage banjo's are dear. less than 400... doubt it. but U might B lucky. Try Custys in Ennis and Crowleys in Cork. The banjo on ebay.. at a guess over a grand. just a guess though.
# Posted on May 22nd 2008 by piobagusfidil
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
Have you tried Andy perkins Tel 01795 590374 website enquiries@andybanjo.com I got my second hand banjo from him some 4 years ago and every one that plays it say,s what a lovely sound (17 fret vega ) des
# Posted on May 22nd 2008 by DES RYNNE
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
I like the Orpheum #1 banjos. They're about the only open back banjo that I have played that has a nice ring, without being too "plunky". (This is a personal preference, of course). I bought one for $260 US, but it needed a fair amount of work. I then sold it to Will CPT. I would expect to pay somewhere between $550-$1000 for one of those, depending on condition. That one looks pretty decent.
You will pay import taxes if you're buying from outside of Ireland, I would assume. It might still be worth it, with the conversion rate and the weak US Dollar.
Tom Cussen has some vintage banjos, you might talk to him over in Clarenbridge. And keep your eye on ebay.ie too. There is currently a nice looking Orpheum #3 on there (but out of your price range).
# Posted on May 22nd 2008 by Reverend
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
I once had an Orpheum #1, lovely little thing. The reason for sale was having a better, louder, one. Mine was not very loud, due to a very thick skin on it. But with a very very tight skin, it should be a lovely little thing! I paid about 500 dollars at the time, off Bernunzio.com
# Posted on May 22nd 2008 by Larshansen
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
Yeah, I did a setup on the one that Will has with a Renaissance head. That sucker puts out some volume, still with a nice tone.
# Posted on May 22nd 2008 by Reverend
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
Thanks for all the suggestions....much appreciated.
# Posted on May 23rd 2008 by ireland78
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
http://www.findajo.co.uk/main.htm---ireland 78, have a look at this site, there appears to be some good quality vintage tenors here
# Posted on May 23rd 2008 by banjoian
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
http://www.findajo.co.uk/main.htm that's the proper link
# Posted on May 23rd 2008 by banjoian
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
I'm in the City Centre of Dublin.
I have 2 banjo's for sale.
# Posted on May 23rd 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
Hugo,
What type? What condition? And crucially.....what price?
# Posted on May 23rd 2008 by ireland78
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
I have seen several of these on eBay over the last 4 months or so and they have generally been going for about $500 - $650. The condition of them was about the same as the one linked to above.
# Posted on May 23rd 2008 by rob zouk
Re: Orpheum No 1 Tenor Banjo - Advice
this is what i play - got mine from bernunzio as well. mine has a plastic head (VERY tight) and geared tuners. by the time i d paid import / shipping i'd shelled out £370.
i like it. its not perfect, but it's pretty good.
i have to compromise string weight against action, but i guess you d have to do that on any instrument without a truss rod. for example, i was playing with 42 32 22 12 guage and would have liked heavier strings, but instead i ve now moved down to 40 30 20 10 for a better action.
tone is good and i also think they're nice to look at.
hope this helps.
btw, i was really impressed with bernunzio. really helpful, great selection, and bombproof packaging. their advice and willingness to set the banjo as i wanted was very reassuring since i was buying online / untried
# Posted on May 24th 2008 by saltybrian