am learning mandolin and wanted to develop banjo at same time so need the most basic passable irish tenor banjo to try, just something that will hold its tune and sound ok, most cheapies seem to be same model just with different name on headstock, is his true? anyone got one that they can tell me about, or maybe anyone got one they dont want !! or want to sell , also is a open back ok? i dont really need one to play in gigs or anything just want to give it a go so dont know if open or resonator is the ting all info greatly recieved
Gold Tone IT250. Retail is about $650-ish these days, but I see them on e-bay in the $200-400 range often. It is an open back, short scale banjo and sound as good as many more expensive banjos. Avoid the cheaper Gold Tone Cripple Creek Tenor banjo. You will be quickly disappointed with its sound.
I don't know what your price range is, but less than $200 will get you something sounding like a bailing wire vibrating through a beer can. However, it does pay to be diligent in your search good deals are out there.
If in NA, then getting a Slingerland 17 fret banjo that is setup well can cost you between $100-$200 and they are very playable (your first criterium, I would think) and usually sound very good, if quiet. If you are in Europe then andybanjo.com is the way to go. The GT banjo can sound very good when setup properly and are usually very playable.
I bought a very cheap model used over a year ago. Looking to sell it now that I've upgraded. In the $120 range, plus shipping. If you provide your email I can discuss it further.
I also had an IT250. Very nice banjo for the price. Very heavy and solid feeling. Good sound.
I sold mine to buy a better mandolin. (But I sold it to a mate, so I can borrow it back any time!)
IMO, a resonator isn't really needed if you're just learning. Maybe later in a busy session you might appreciate the slight extra projection from a resonator, but most banjos can be retro-fitted with a resonator if required.
You could be right Earl. I have had both and they were previously labeled and sold as TS250 and IT250. However, it's possible they are combined now under one model.
Actually, the regular IT-250 is openback, but there's also the IT-250R which has the resonator, so you're both correct. I believe there's an arch-top version of it out now, also. And the TS-250 is the 19 fret version and has a more "bluegrassy" tone ring.
If you're living in dublin, the McBrides tenor banjo for 200E is quite good from waltons, i bought it about a year ago for the same purpose you did and have had absolutely no trouble with it, action is great and sound is good.
cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
am learning mandolin and wanted to develop banjo at same time so need the most basic passable irish tenor banjo to try, just something that will hold its tune and sound ok, most cheapies seem to be same model just with different name on headstock, is his true? anyone got one that they can tell me about, or maybe anyone got one they dont want !! or want to sell , also is a open back ok? i dont really need one to play in gigs or anything just want to give it a go so dont know if open or resonator is the ting all info greatly recieved
ta muchos
xav
# Posted on December 23rd 2009 by xavier 493
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
ive been doing a few searches myself latley for a reasonably priced banjo and have been told to check andybanjo.com
# Posted on December 23rd 2009 by Mark McAleese
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
Gold Tone IT250. Retail is about $650-ish these days, but I see them on e-bay in the $200-400 range often. It is an open back, short scale banjo and sound as good as many more expensive banjos. Avoid the cheaper Gold Tone Cripple Creek Tenor banjo. You will be quickly disappointed with its sound.
I don't know what your price range is, but less than $200 will get you something sounding like a bailing wire vibrating through a beer can. However, it does pay to be diligent in your search good deals are out there.
# Posted on December 23rd 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
xavier 493,
Where do you live?
If in NA, then getting a Slingerland 17 fret banjo that is setup well can cost you between $100-$200 and they are very playable (your first criterium, I would think) and usually sound very good, if quiet. If you are in Europe then andybanjo.com is the way to go. The GT banjo can sound very good when setup properly and are usually very playable.
Mike Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on December 23rd 2009 by mikeyes
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
I bought a very cheap model used over a year ago. Looking to sell it now that I've upgraded. In the $120 range, plus shipping. If you provide your email I can discuss it further.
# Posted on December 23rd 2009 by HK
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
I bought a goldtone IT250 last spring and I really like it. It made me quit playing the mandolin
# Posted on December 23rd 2009 by steve...r
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
I also had an IT250. Very nice banjo for the price. Very heavy and solid feeling. Good sound.
I sold mine to buy a better mandolin. (But I sold it to a mate, so I can borrow it back any time!)
IMO, a resonator isn't really needed if you're just learning. Maybe later in a busy session you might appreciate the slight extra projection from a resonator, but most banjos can be retro-fitted with a resonator if required.
# Posted on December 24th 2009 by buddhuu
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
If your in the uk and looking a cheap banjo just to try out im selling mine on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tenor-banjo-short-scale_W0QQitemZ250552981531QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments?hash=item3a561f181b
# Posted on December 24th 2009 by Mark McAleese
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
The IT250 has a resonator, it's not open back
# Posted on December 24th 2009 by Earl Cameron
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
Earl, the Gold Tone TS250 is the resonator model. IT250 is open back.
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
nah, its the banjo I own and play, they must have used the wrong model number when they sold me the banjo, if what you say is true
# Posted on December 26th 2009 by Earl Cameron
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
You could be right Earl. I have had both and they were previously labeled and sold as TS250 and IT250. However, it's possible they are combined now under one model.
The TS stood for "Tenor Special"
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
Actually, the regular IT-250 is openback, but there's also the IT-250R which has the resonator, so you're both correct. I believe there's an arch-top version of it out now, also. And the TS-250 is the 19 fret version and has a more "bluegrassy" tone ring.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by Thomaston
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
If you're living in dublin, the McBrides tenor banjo for 200E is quite good from waltons, i bought it about a year ago for the same purpose you did and have had absolutely no trouble with it, action is great and sound is good.
# Posted on December 27th 2009 by dlunney
Re: cheapest irish tenor mandolin worth its salt?
my IT-250 has 17 frets, I wouldn't have it any other way, but I have the hands of a fiddle player.
# Posted on December 30th 2009 by Earl Cameron