Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 11, 2016 14:27:57 GMT
Might as well open it up and get things over with   It's a Ballard A-scale semi-fretless openback banjo. It's the one gavdav had on the classifieds here. I made the mistake of showing the photos to my (much) better half, who instructed me to commence negotiations immediately. I did, and we agreed a deal and this lovely thing arrived...welll...just now!  It is lovely, really really nice. I haven't played it yet because you can get sacked for that kind of thing, but here are some more pics.    |
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ocarolan
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CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 11, 2016 14:30:06 GMT
I'd send it right back Martin - can't see how you're going to fry eggs in that. Keith PS - congrats! |
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Post by MartinS on Oct 11, 2016 14:34:28 GMT
It's a beauty.
Jealous.
m.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 11, 2016 14:46:59 GMT
Cheers, fellas. Now to learn how to play the thing...
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,642 
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Oct 11, 2016 14:59:22 GMT
I believe Shona has a "one in, one out" rule...  |
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Post by gavdav on Oct 11, 2016 15:31:06 GMT
Many thanks Martin for your patience with my packing. Also thanks for facilitating the 72 Tele Deluxe I just bought...oops
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missclarktree
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My main instrument is: It varies
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Post by missclarktree on Oct 11, 2016 15:41:57 GMT
Is it non-stick?
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Post by delb0y on Oct 12, 2016 6:48:43 GMT
Nice. As is a 72 Tele Deluxe (lovely neck on those if I remember rightly).
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 12, 2016 7:39:20 GMT
Had a right good play on it last night, and it is a very nice instrument, beautifully made. Gorgeous walnut neck too, although very substantial. It really fills my hand, which may or may not be helpful for fretless playing. I've also switched the bridge. I felt it was just too low considering the brass plate over the first seven frets, which led to a fair bit of buzzing on the fourth string. I had a 11/16" Moon bridge on another banjer where the action was slightly too high, so swapping them over has made both instruments a bit better. Certainly, it has removed all traces of 'buzz' from the Ballard. Getting used to fretless will take time. I've read it's easier if you don't look at your fretting hand, however I found that I was losing my place a bit during a tune and only by looking could I correct this. I suppose it's like everything else - practice is required. The slides in particular sound very groovy, and I need to be careful not to overdo them. Looking at the scale, it's very similar to my other banjos. Perhaps slightly shorter, but not so much that I really notice. The brass hardware is very nice, and I'm in two minds whether to get the brasso out, or let it develop a cool, old-timey patina  |
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walkingdecay
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My main instrument is: brownish and rather small.
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Post by walkingdecay on Oct 12, 2016 9:35:09 GMT
Also thanks for facilitating the 72 Tele Deluxe I just bought...oops Please don't. After a fruitless search for my workhorse 1970 Tele with B-bender, sold in a fit of madness in 1984 (had a genuine lead but the guy who had it wouldn't say who he sold it to on Ebay), I am trying to resist. |
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Jo whoever he is.
