I'm a mandolin player and am toying with the idea of getting a tenor banjo. As I understand, it's common in Irish music to tune them like a mandolin (down an octave). I'm wondering if anybody has recommendations for a decent instrument at a decent price. I'd appriciate any advice on this. Thanks.
Oh yes fred everyones got £2000 to spend, if your just toying with the idea, you could go basic entry level £120 to £350 in the hobgoblin gremlin range there are 3, or if you want to spend up to and around £500+ you could consider a vintage tenor such as a vega little wonder or a similar era instrument try andy perkins kent i dont have his no. or doug parry in herts. 01920466924 these guys have a vast range of quality sounding instruments for a fair price. Getting back to freds reply there is no doubt about it that sullys banjos look and sound gorgeous but they are not budget instruments in the same way tom cussen clarreens and dave boyle banjos aren't budget, another god dealer i just remembered is kevin from findajo.co.uk he usually has a few colectables for sale also but the good thing about his instruments is that they are set up to sound their absolute best and not leaving the new owner to sort it themselves he puts on the right heads, string guages, truss rod adjustments etc so try him too.
I had a friend who needed a nice, functional, entry-level tenor banjo, and after a while lot of research, she found that she was facing either a lot more research into vintage instruments and the trial and error of finding one and keeping it in good shape (without damaging the 'vintage-ness' of it, too), or to look at the smaller field of modern instruments. She chose the latter path.
After scanning the field she got a new Gold Tone Cripple Creek Irish Tenor banjo with a short scale. I thik the model abbreviation is CC-IT. It's turned out to be a really good instrument and well-suited to a small player, sounds great and has gotten good praise from veteran players. She had a local banjo tech go over it when she got it and he didn't find much to do. He tweaked the head tension and made sure that the bridge was in the right place. Other than that all she's done to it is to experiment a bit to find strings that sounded and felt the way she prefers.
Gold Tone makes two models, the other one is called the IT-250, I believe, and has a bit longer scale.
It was under $400 USD some years back and I don't think that that price has changed since then.
Gold Tones are respectable instruments. From Western Massachusetts you could take a relatively short drive up to Brattleboro, VT to Maple Leaf Music. You could try out the Gold Tones, which are certainly respectable instruments especially to start on. There are also a couple other old banjos at the shop that are both good players and not expensive as old banjos go: a Lange-style for $600 and a Vega Whyte Laydie for $800. The second one is a really sweet instrument. www.mapleleafmusic.com
In New York state, John Bernunzio has a good variety of old banjos in a range of prices. www.bernunzio.com
Short scale banjos are good for learning but 19-fret, 23-inch scale instruments are wonderful
I was going to suggest Bernunzio as well. I'm really happy with my Vega Style M that I got from him this December. While I agree with dwdeacon that 19-frets are wonderful, if you're used to playing a mandolin, you might go for a short scale. That would be a little easier on your left hand, atleast... I hope you find one you like! Good luck!
Oops--meant to erase that last line. Sunday morning and the coffee hasn't hit! I started on an Orpheum 17 fretter and played it from 1979 until 2005 as my main instrument. And yes, I agree that 17-frets are easier on the left hand. Longer banjos take more figuring out on the left hand--and 17 fretters are fine instruments.
I play on a GoldTone IT-250. They're short-scale, 17 fret, and much nicer tone and workmanship than the Cripple Creek model, well worth the little extra cash. I've found that with a proper set up, the IT-250 makes a gig-worthy instrument, and I paid under $400 for mine.
I play a short scale tenor (called a gold tone). Its assembled by Andy, and is a great banjo. He lives in Kent, UK.
www.andybanjo.com
I got my first banjo from him, a 19 fretter, for a very good price. Went back a couple of years later, traded it in, and he gave me back £50 less than what I paid for it. Very nice man.
I own and despise my Gold Tone CC-IT. Tone hooks break when you try to get the head tight enough, and the screws holding the resonator on broke with little use. I might have gotten a bum banjo, but I would not recommend the CC-IT. I have seen the IT-250, and it looks to be significantly better made.
The advantage of a vintage banjo is you'll get higher quality for the same price. No name vintage banjos, set up right, can be really great starter instruments. As long as you can keep it in tune and it doesn't offensive it'll be a fine starter instrument. Even though I'm unhappy with what I can't do with my Gold Tone CC-IT, I love playing with it (maybe knowing I have a Silverbell #2 on the way helps...)
Yes, the CC-IT is playable, but not much more you can say for it.
I should add that I've seen GoldTone IT-250s that were not as well made--even with inferior parts--to the one I lucked onto. I don't know why there are differences. I've played a few in stores that I would not pay $100 for--plain mylar heads, poorly shaped necks, pot metal tailpiece, etc. My IT-250 has a Remo Fiberskyn head, a wonderful neck, and excellent fittings (including a top notch tone ring). I adjusted the neck angle, tightened the head, trimmed the bridge, and lowered the action just a tad, and it sounds terrific. Rich, round tone, good intonation, and feels like silk under the fingers.
Of course all of that (and more) you can get from a vintage banjo if you know what you're looking for.
Thank you all for your input. I'll stop by Maple Leaf Music the next time I'm in Brattleboro and try some instruments. It sounds like 17 fret Gold Tones may be the route to take at this point. Thanks!
I'd been playing 19 fretters all my life. I recently got a short scale, 17 fret, 1927 Vega Whyte Laydie R from John Bernunzio. Delighted with it....mint condition, well set up, great action, sweet sounding....only complaint....found my self over stretching initially
I'd agree with other posters......short scale is the way to go for a mandolin player.
I bought my Weymann Keystone State banjo from Neil Kenny at Vintage Banjos: http://www.vintagebanjos.com/ and I've been very happy both with the banjo and the service from Neil.
Since you live in Northern New York State, a trip to Rochester to see John Bernunzio's (http://www.bernunzios.com) is a must. I was there a few months ago and found that not only does he have quality instruments, but that the prices are quite reasonable, especially since the instrument you buy there will only accrue value as time goes on. His descriptions (as well as those of Elderly Instruments - http://www.elderly.com - and Geroge Gruhn - http://www.gruhn.com) are honest and accurate. I would not hesitate to buy sight unseen from Bernunzio's (and in fact have) but to really get your juices flowing, I'd take time out and travel to Rochester.
The better Gold Tones are good instruments. I have played them all and at the upper ends of quality, they are impressive for the money. But for the same price, from a reputable dealer (or if you have played the instrument yourself) the value of a vintage instrument is much higher. Barring Gibson (for reasons only Earl Scruggs knows), the best price you would pay for a professional level instrument made in the heyday of tenor banjos, the '30s, is in the $1500 range. These instruments would be the ones made by Vega (the Professional), Paramount/Lange (he was the designer and the instruments include the Paramount A, Langestyle, Orpheum, Epiphone Recording A), Weymann, Bacon & Day (Silver Bell #1) and even Leedy if you can find one. For less, you can pick up a lower level banjo by Bacon, Vega, Weymann, Lange, and Gibson (as long as it is not a Mastertone or '30s TB-1) that will not only be a good banjo, but will satisfy your needs.
I have done it all, bought vintage, made a banjo from FQMS and Gold Tone parts (http://www.fqms.com and http://www.goldtone.com), bought new, and made Frankenstein banjos from old ones (I have a brass Leedy with a Paramount neck, a vintage tailpiece, and a chrome Leedy resonator from ebay.) So far, I play and use the vintage instruments the most. I find that they are better made than the same priced new ones, they sound great (they were made at the highest point of popularity), and they hold value.
Finding a good instrument is not easy, but if you go to a good dealer, you will find that your intact instrument will bring its full value on ebay in a year or so and will continue to improve in value.
My current instrument is a 17 fret Vega Little Wonder which cost $200 several years ago. Check the prices now.
As for the 17 fret vs. 19 fret issue, I like to play 17 fret banjos because they are a little easier to play the notes on, but since I have switched away from mandolin fingering to guitar style fingering, they are all about the same level of difficulty to play. Fingering style is very important for comfort and for hitting the high B note, but the very best players automatically use both styles depending on what they want to accomplish. I'd start with the 17 fret instrument, but if a 19 fret B&D falls in your lap for a decent price, get it. Even if you have to stretch your pocketbook a little (or ask your parents <G>), you can't go wrong with a quality instrument. If you decide that it is not for you, you can get your money back in cash or a trade.
tenor banjo question
tenor banjo question
I'm a mandolin player and am toying with the idea of getting a tenor banjo. As I understand, it's common in Irish music to tune them like a mandolin (down an octave). I'm wondering if anybody has recommendations for a decent instrument at a decent price. I'd appriciate any advice on this. Thanks.
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by rae_rae_racer
Re: tenor banjo question
Sully's banjos seem to be held in high regard the world over.
www.halshawmusic.co.uk
Cheers,
Fred
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by Fred Arley
Re: tenor banjo question
Oh yes fred everyones got £2000 to spend, if your just toying with the idea, you could go basic entry level £120 to £350 in the hobgoblin gremlin range there are 3, or if you want to spend up to and around £500+ you could consider a vintage tenor such as a vega little wonder or a similar era instrument try andy perkins kent i dont have his no. or doug parry in herts. 01920466924 these guys have a vast range of quality sounding instruments for a fair price. Getting back to freds reply there is no doubt about it that sullys banjos look and sound gorgeous but they are not budget instruments in the same way tom cussen clarreens and dave boyle banjos aren't budget, another god dealer i just remembered is kevin from findajo.co.uk he usually has a few colectables for sale also but the good thing about his instruments is that they are set up to sound their absolute best and not leaving the new owner to sort it themselves he puts on the right heads, string guages, truss rod adjustments etc so try him too.
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: tenor banjo question
I had a friend who needed a nice, functional, entry-level tenor banjo, and after a while lot of research, she found that she was facing either a lot more research into vintage instruments and the trial and error of finding one and keeping it in good shape (without damaging the 'vintage-ness' of it, too), or to look at the smaller field of modern instruments. She chose the latter path.
After scanning the field she got a new Gold Tone Cripple Creek Irish Tenor banjo with a short scale. I thik the model abbreviation is CC-IT. It's turned out to be a really good instrument and well-suited to a small player, sounds great and has gotten good praise from veteran players. She had a local banjo tech go over it when she got it and he didn't find much to do. He tweaked the head tension and made sure that the bridge was in the right place. Other than that all she's done to it is to experiment a bit to find strings that sounded and felt the way she prefers.
Gold Tone makes two models, the other one is called the IT-250, I believe, and has a bit longer scale.
It was under $400 USD some years back and I don't think that that price has changed since then.
I hope this helps...
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by stv culchie
Re: tenor banjo question
Gold Tones are respectable instruments. From Western Massachusetts you could take a relatively short drive up to Brattleboro, VT to Maple Leaf Music. You could try out the Gold Tones, which are certainly respectable instruments especially to start on. There are also a couple other old banjos at the shop that are both good players and not expensive as old banjos go: a Lange-style for $600 and a Vega Whyte Laydie for $800. The second one is a really sweet instrument. www.mapleleafmusic.com
In New York state, John Bernunzio has a good variety of old banjos in a range of prices. www.bernunzio.com
Short scale banjos are good for learning but 19-fret, 23-inch scale instruments are wonderful
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by dwdeacon
Re: tenor banjo question
I was going to suggest Bernunzio as well. I'm really happy with my Vega Style M that I got from him this December. While I agree with dwdeacon that 19-frets are wonderful, if you're used to playing a mandolin, you might go for a short scale. That would be a little easier on your left hand, atleast... I hope you find one you like! Good luck!
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by Fiddlekit
Re: tenor banjo question
Oops--meant to erase that last line. Sunday morning and the coffee hasn't hit! I started on an Orpheum 17 fretter and played it from 1979 until 2005 as my main instrument. And yes, I agree that 17-frets are easier on the left hand. Longer banjos take more figuring out on the left hand--and 17 fretters are fine instruments.
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by dwdeacon
Re: tenor banjo question
I play on a GoldTone IT-250. They're short-scale, 17 fret, and much nicer tone and workmanship than the Cripple Creek model, well worth the little extra cash. I've found that with a proper set up, the IT-250 makes a gig-worthy instrument, and I paid under $400 for mine.
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by Will CPT
Re: tenor banjo question
I play a short scale tenor (called a gold tone). Its assembled by Andy, and is a great banjo. He lives in Kent, UK.
www.andybanjo.com
I got my first banjo from him, a 19 fretter, for a very good price. Went back a couple of years later, traded it in, and he gave me back £50 less than what I paid for it. Very nice man.
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by Sean Clery
Re: tenor banjo question
I own and despise my Gold Tone CC-IT. Tone hooks break when you try to get the head tight enough, and the screws holding the resonator on broke with little use. I might have gotten a bum banjo, but I would not recommend the CC-IT. I have seen the IT-250, and it looks to be significantly better made.
The advantage of a vintage banjo is you'll get higher quality for the same price. No name vintage banjos, set up right, can be really great starter instruments. As long as you can keep it in tune and it doesn't offensive it'll be a fine starter instrument. Even though I'm unhappy with what I can't do with my Gold Tone CC-IT, I love playing with it (maybe knowing I have a Silverbell #2 on the way helps...)
Just my 2 cents
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by dirtyheel
Re: tenor banjo question
Yes, the CC-IT is playable, but not much more you can say for it.
I should add that I've seen GoldTone IT-250s that were not as well made--even with inferior parts--to the one I lucked onto. I don't know why there are differences. I've played a few in stores that I would not pay $100 for--plain mylar heads, poorly shaped necks, pot metal tailpiece, etc. My IT-250 has a Remo Fiberskyn head, a wonderful neck, and excellent fittings (including a top notch tone ring). I adjusted the neck angle, tightened the head, trimmed the bridge, and lowered the action just a tad, and it sounds terrific. Rich, round tone, good intonation, and feels like silk under the fingers.
Of course all of that (and more) you can get from a vintage banjo if you know what you're looking for.
# Posted on April 23rd 2006 by Will CPT
Re: tenor banjo question
Thank you all for your input. I'll stop by Maple Leaf Music the next time I'm in Brattleboro and try some instruments. It sounds like 17 fret Gold Tones may be the route to take at this point. Thanks!
# Posted on April 24th 2006 by rae_rae_racer
Re: tenor banjo question
Or any good short scale tenor you can get your hands on and actually play, and that falls within your price range.
# Posted on April 24th 2006 by Will CPT
Re: tenor banjo question
I'd been playing 19 fretters all my life. I recently got a short scale, 17 fret, 1927 Vega Whyte Laydie R from John Bernunzio. Delighted with it....mint condition, well set up, great action, sweet sounding....only complaint....found my self over stretching initially
I'd agree with other posters......short scale is the way to go for a mandolin player.
Good luck.
# Posted on April 24th 2006 by Strathfoyle
Re: tenor banjo question
I bought my Weymann Keystone State banjo from Neil Kenny at Vintage Banjos: http://www.vintagebanjos.com/ and I've been very happy both with the banjo and the service from Neil.
# Posted on April 24th 2006 by grego
Re: tenor banjo question
rae_rae-racer,
Since you live in Northern New York State, a trip to Rochester to see John Bernunzio's (http://www.bernunzios.com) is a must. I was there a few months ago and found that not only does he have quality instruments, but that the prices are quite reasonable, especially since the instrument you buy there will only accrue value as time goes on. His descriptions (as well as those of Elderly Instruments - http://www.elderly.com - and Geroge Gruhn - http://www.gruhn.com) are honest and accurate. I would not hesitate to buy sight unseen from Bernunzio's (and in fact have) but to really get your juices flowing, I'd take time out and travel to Rochester.
The better Gold Tones are good instruments. I have played them all and at the upper ends of quality, they are impressive for the money. But for the same price, from a reputable dealer (or if you have played the instrument yourself) the value of a vintage instrument is much higher. Barring Gibson (for reasons only Earl Scruggs knows), the best price you would pay for a professional level instrument made in the heyday of tenor banjos, the '30s, is in the $1500 range. These instruments would be the ones made by Vega (the Professional), Paramount/Lange (he was the designer and the instruments include the Paramount A, Langestyle, Orpheum, Epiphone Recording A), Weymann, Bacon & Day (Silver Bell #1) and even Leedy if you can find one. For less, you can pick up a lower level banjo by Bacon, Vega, Weymann, Lange, and Gibson (as long as it is not a Mastertone or '30s TB-1) that will not only be a good banjo, but will satisfy your needs.
I have done it all, bought vintage, made a banjo from FQMS and Gold Tone parts (http://www.fqms.com and http://www.goldtone.com), bought new, and made Frankenstein banjos from old ones (I have a brass Leedy with a Paramount neck, a vintage tailpiece, and a chrome Leedy resonator from ebay.) So far, I play and use the vintage instruments the most. I find that they are better made than the same priced new ones, they sound great (they were made at the highest point of popularity), and they hold value.
Finding a good instrument is not easy, but if you go to a good dealer, you will find that your intact instrument will bring its full value on ebay in a year or so and will continue to improve in value.
My current instrument is a 17 fret Vega Little Wonder which cost $200 several years ago. Check the prices now.
As for the 17 fret vs. 19 fret issue, I like to play 17 fret banjos because they are a little easier to play the notes on, but since I have switched away from mandolin fingering to guitar style fingering, they are all about the same level of difficulty to play. Fingering style is very important for comfort and for hitting the high B note, but the very best players automatically use both styles depending on what they want to accomplish. I'd start with the 17 fret instrument, but if a 19 fret B&D falls in your lap for a decent price, get it. Even if you have to stretch your pocketbook a little (or ask your parents <G>), you can't go wrong with a quality instrument. If you decide that it is not for you, you can get your money back in cash or a trade.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/apr06/reels.html
# Posted on April 24th 2006 by mikeyes
Re: tenor banjo question
Correction, the Bernunzio site is http://www.bernunzio.com and they have a very nice selection of banjos right now.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/apr06/reels.html
# Posted on April 24th 2006 by mikeyes