this a paragon even got its tailpiece cover the concert grand was a five string banjo which used to be called the xx special look at the neck inlays paragon 100% concert grand were block mop inlays
Don't want to get into an argument myparasgon but I have seen this banjo close up and Brian himself told me it was a Concert Grand, he then removed the resonator which has a smaller diameter to show me the differences between the grand and the Paragon. The grand doesn't have the holes drilled through the rim and also you'll notice it doesn't have a flange like the Paragon, also some inlays are absent from the headstock as compared to the Paragon and the metal shield is absent from the grand. The identity of Brian's banjo has been brought up before and although it does look very similar to a Paragon it was correctly identified by a member in this discussion.
your right the metal shield is blank my friend had a concert grand 5 string and i did rad somewhere on the net they did not make tenor concenrt grands as it did take over from the special xx. his did not have fancy inlays on the neck only big square mop blocks , did notice on that vid tho that there are a couple of inlays short on the headstock compared to mine it could be a one off banjoand re the flange dont think gerry oconnors has one as his is an early one cheers.
found a banjo dealer johnalveyturner.co.uk has a concert grand 5 string says from 1940 must be a later model it has a flange and the block inlays the banjo in the video must be a real early one
Pure Class Banjo Playing
Pure Class Banjo Playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBqk1TU3G6M&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYE-W5JMM0k&feature=related
Any idea of what tunes they're playing?
# Posted on June 25th 2009 by whangee
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Ih2exOFNI&feature=channel I prefer this!
# Posted on June 25th 2009 by banjoian
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
Great playing Brian, --steady , unclutured , subtle ornamentation----hear that Paragon sing !!!!
# Posted on June 25th 2009 by banjoian
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
Don't forget John Carlos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrW3Byog9LM
# Posted on June 25th 2009 by slainte
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
Ah, I've still to hear anybody to match Brian Fitzgerald, Paraic Mac Donnchadha and Mick O'Connor.
# Posted on June 25th 2009 by 52Paddy
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
banjoian, I agree with your comments, Brian is a great player. However the banjo is not a Paragon, it's a Clifford Essex Concert Grand.
# Posted on June 25th 2009 by vegamad
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
The little brats! I'm just off to put my banjo on the barbecue, back in a minute.......
# Posted on June 26th 2009 by oldstrings
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
this a paragon even got its tailpiece cover the concert grand was a five string banjo which used to be called the xx special look at the neck inlays paragon 100% concert grand were block mop inlays
# Posted on June 26th 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
Can anyone tell me the name of the third tune Brian is playing? Thanks
# Posted on June 27th 2009 by dfost
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
The Yellow Tinker. Its in the video description.
# Posted on June 28th 2009 by 52Paddy
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
Don't want to get into an argument myparasgon but I have seen this banjo close up and Brian himself told me it was a Concert Grand, he then removed the resonator which has a smaller diameter to show me the differences between the grand and the Paragon. The grand doesn't have the holes drilled through the rim and also you'll notice it doesn't have a flange like the Paragon, also some inlays are absent from the headstock as compared to the Paragon and the metal shield is absent from the grand. The identity of Brian's banjo has been brought up before and although it does look very similar to a Paragon it was correctly identified by a member in this discussion.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/16175/comments
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by vegamad
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
Re above: should read 'the metal shield is blank'
Sorry
# Posted on June 29th 2009 by vegamad
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
your right the metal shield is blank my friend had a concert grand 5 string and i did rad somewhere on the net they did not make tenor concenrt grands as it did take over from the special xx. his did not have fancy inlays on the neck only big square mop blocks , did notice on that vid tho that there are a couple of inlays short on the headstock compared to mine it could be a one off banjoand re the flange dont think gerry oconnors has one as his is an early one cheers.
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
found a banjo dealer johnalveyturner.co.uk has a concert grand 5 string says from 1940 must be a later model it has a flange and the block inlays the banjo in the video must be a real early one
# Posted on June 30th 2009 by myparasgon
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
They must not be in Alabama because he doesn't have his banjo on his knee.
# Posted on July 4th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Pure Class Banjo Playing
The Concert Grand's tone ring system is almost an identical copy of the Vega Whyte Laydie.
Many Americans prefer the CG as it is far more substantial.
# Posted on August 20th 2009 by findajo