#1
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Beginner banjo for $500?
I don't know a whole lot about banjos. A couple of friends want to get one for a beginner. Are they any decent banjos for around $500?
Thanks for any suggestions.
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-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#2
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I'd go for one of these - function over flash, everything you need and nothing you don't in a beginner instrument, and even some owners of high-buck banjos keep one of these on hand for backup and/or jams:
https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collec...goodtime-banjo
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#3
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Thanks a lot Steve!
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-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#4
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#5
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Thanks Rudy!
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-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#6
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You should be able to get a good open back banjo for your budget or less. Think about going second hand. Unlike guitars, most open back banjos are a bolted together collection of bits, easily repaired, adjusted and upgraded. Unlike a guitar you don't need the "perfect" setup for a banjo to be playable. And I really wouldn't worry about "tone". All the open back banjo players I know (myself included) stuff rags between the neck stick and the skin to get the tone they want. Whether a $5000 banjo sounds "better" than a $500 banjo is a very mute point!!! All the recordings in my signature were done on a 1910 banjo, that's probably worth $500. And I gigged recently with one from 1895 worth about $150 max and a Gold Tone one worth about $400 second hand (in the photo). With a bit of tinkering you can get great timbre and playability from just about anything!
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I'm learning to flatpick and fingerpick guitar to accompany songs. I've played and studied traditional noter/drone mountain dulcimer for many years. And I used to play dobro in a bluegrass band. Last edited by Robin, Wales; 04-30-2024 at 01:33 AM. |
#7
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ProAudioStar frequently has good deals on Gold Tone banjos, they currently have the CC-OT "package" for $469 (mostly $629 on Reverb)... they sell a lot of these as "B-Stock" or "Used" at times, but I've bought a number of things from them and most have been perfectly fine and brand new.
A little over a year ago I picked up the CC-OT package from them, and I'm really quite impressed with the quality. My mother has a Deering Goodtime, and the Gold Tone feels much higher quality in hand. The Deering is US made, though.
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"What have I learned but the proper use for several tools" -Gary Snyder Bourgeois DR-A / Bowerman "Working Man's" OM / Martin Custom D-18 (adi & flame) / Martin OM-21 / Northwood M70 MJ / 1970s Sigma DR-7 / Eastman E6D / Flatiron Signature A5 / Silverangel Econo A (Call me Dan) |
#8
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what for?
Quote:
Anyway, if I was buying another cheapo, I would definitely go second hand ..
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Malcolm Auden Chester 45 Cedar/Rosewood Eastman AC322ce Spruce/Mahogany Sigma SDM-SG5 Spruce/Mahogany Deering Goodtime Leader O/B banjo Epiphone IBG SG (in cool dude black) |
#9
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Thank to all for your suggestions, much appreciated!
I have no idea what it's going to be used for, just helping out a friend (who is buying it for a friend) and wanted to give her a few good suggestions. Thanks again.
__________________
-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#10
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I bought a Gold Tone AC-1 early during Covid times for about $180. It's now about $250. It has a composite rim, lightweight, and sounds quite fine, especially for the price. It came perfectly set up -- I was really pleased.
It is neck heavy because the pot is so light, so you really need a strap. There are some really crummy banjos out there. Do not buy an aluminum "bottle cap" banjo. https://banjohangout.org is another place to browse. |
#11
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#12
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As of two days ago, I completed my set of banjos with a third Deering Goodtime; specifically a Goodtime 2 Deco plectrum. I’ve had an open back Goodtime five string since 2016, and Goodtime 2 tenor since 2017.
These instruments are light weight and very well setup from the factory; the plectrum arrived by FedEx and was pretty much in tune right out of the box. Very comfortable to play with great sound. There are numerous videos up with various excellent players using the standard open back five string, fewer with the four string models which is a shame, because there is MUCH more to the banjo than bluegrass and old time country. These clips will give you some idea of the possibilities with the Goodtime series: Mean Mary James giving a great rollicking performance on an original tune with the five string open back: https://youtu.be/4PtEbrwlgT0?si=9ch1UziGX0ZAOwIh And here’s Ryan Cavanaugh on the Deco Goodtime 2 (resonator) https://youtu.be/4xy4_7IMXd8?si=Yp3X_d9XUmV1yMrx With Jack Ray on a Goodtime 2 tenor: https://youtu.be/nqTrNeO2QoQ?si=fcunytDWbNxMIj1O |