Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 22, 2013 9:18:55 GMT
I want a banjo.  Mainly as a busking gimmick, people tend to stop and listen more to someone doing something slightly different than everyone else. I'm thinking 6-string  but would like to learn how to frail properly on it. I'm gunna go all hillbilly. I quite like making a spectacle of myself...  Any suggestions? Most of what I have read on t'internet seems to say that anything less than a Gold Tone BT-2000 isn't worth buying. Any opinions here on the Cripple Creek or Composite body ones? I like the idea of an open back because I love that plunky old time sound that my husband's Deering Goodtime has, and it will be a lot lighter, but the BT-2000 is nearly £700. General opinions seems to be stay away from the lower end banjos - Tanglewood/Ozark/Westfield etc. Tanglewood makes some very decent guitars, are the banjos that bad? |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 22, 2013 9:25:14 GMT
I want a banjo. ................  Keith |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2013 9:30:57 GMT
I applaud your bravery for facing the stark reality of banjo love! However, the six-string thing you are looking at isn't a banjo - it's a guitjo....or a banjitar....or something  Nothing wrong with that, but if you do want to learn to 'frail', then that is the perfect excuse for you to get a 5-string banjo and learn the clawhammer style. You'll also get a decent instrument for less money. Might I recommend this fine banjo? Recording King RK-O25For less than £240 brand new, this is a great instrument, and one I'm considering getting myself as a back-up. |
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 22, 2013 9:39:03 GMT
Thanks Martin! Maybe I'll play with my husband's Goodtime banjo a bit more before deciding on 5 or 6 string. That RK does look nice. Are they better than the Goodtimes? I do like the darker wood  |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2013 9:45:41 GMT
I'll have to be honest and state I haven't played one, but I've played a number of Goodtimes, and RKs are getting very positive reviews in comparison with the Deerings, but I don't know if they're better. Cheaper, perhaps |
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 22, 2013 9:48:48 GMT
Thanks. I may still get a banjo-git-ar but will have a go on the 5-string first.  |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2013 9:54:31 GMT
I hope you enjoy whatever you decide, but yes practise on the Goodtime first. As I explained in another thread, there's something about the 5-string and the frailing style that produces a unique, bouncy cadence that's just ALL banjo. Sure you could approximate the sound and the rhythm with a guitar or 6-string, but why bother when the 5-stringer is made for it? Anyway, whatever you go for, let me know if you need any help with it at all - the frailing stroke/right hand rhythm is key to getting anywhere with it, and it takes a while (weeks to months??) for it to sink in. Once it does, it just 'clicks' and the progress from that point can be very quick. Here's a link to my wee beastie (Goodtime Parlor) in action when I got it last year: www.acousticsoundboard.co.uk/index.cgi?action=display&board=recordings&thread=120&page=1 |
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Wild Violet
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My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 22, 2013 10:00:50 GMT
ooooh maybe I need one of those, it sounds great! Sure you could approximate the sound and the rhythm with a guitar or 6-string, but why bother when the 5-stringer is made for it? because I already know guitar chords and won't have to deal with that dinky neck. |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2013 10:21:32 GMT
because I already know guitar chords and won't have to deal with that dinky neck. Well, go for it then  I think this one looks extremely cool, and for not much more than £300 it seems  Luna 6-String Banjo |
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Wild Violet
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My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 22, 2013 12:43:28 GMT
Do you know anything about those, Martin?
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 22, 2013 12:45:21 GMT
I've heard that Luna instruments keep making random twitchings, yes, Luna-tic.  Keith |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 22, 2013 12:53:17 GMT
Do you know anything about those, Martin? Afraid not, WV. I did read a decent review of their guitars in the mag a few years ago, so I assumed this would be of the same standard/quality. I love the look of it, though |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2013 13:23:34 GMT
If you're after clawhammer sounds, then I bow to Martin's expertise, but in the Goodtime's price range I'd go for a low end Goldtone or a Tanglewood TWB 24 if you want to play bluegrass. They're more focused and have more of that snotty Scruggs sound. There's a lot of snobbery regarding low end banjos, so I'd take much of what you read with a pinch of salt the size of Nashville.
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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 Apr 22, 2013 14:42:29 GMT
Thanks WD. I mainly want to fingerpick/frail the same stuff I already do busking...kinda newgrass more than anything. Not proper Bluegrass. A banjo-ey sound is what I'm after, but the banjitargitarjo needs to be good enough to actually play for hours at a time.
I'll see if I can find any low end ones to try out in my area.
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Wild Violet
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My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Apr 22, 2013 16:06:25 GMT
I just had a thought... (rare, I know ) I only need to learn G,C,D,F,Em and Am on the 5-string banjo- with that and a capo I should be able to play most of the stuff I do busking. Then if I decide to get more into it, at least I'll already be on the right track. Any opinions on this one? Would the RK be better? I was just thinking composite might not be a bad idea for busking, but have no idea what it would sound like: www.banjosdirect.co.uk/best-resonator-banjo-under-250-goldtone-ac-5-composite-1238-p.asp |
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but would like to learn how to frail properly on it. I'm gunna go all hillbilly. I quite like making a spectacle of myself... 
Jo whoever he is.
