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Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:37 pm

I've been wanting to learn to play for a long time now (I can hear the hillbilly jokes now :lol: ). Any ideas on a good starter banjo? Should I get one with 4 strings or 5? I played guitar as a kid but don't remember much if any. OK lets hear it :wink: . Thanks

Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:09 pm

Put out the extra cash and get a five string. The musical advantages are well worth the expense. I don't personally play, but know a couple people that do. I'm musically illiterate except for mixing (sound tech).

Thu Oct 09, 2008 3:27 am

banjohangout.org is a real good website for any Banjo information.

Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:20 am

blarneyman wrote: Put out the extra cash and get a five string. The musical advantages are well worth the expense. I don't personally play, but know a couple people that do. I'm musically illiterate except for mixing (sound tech).

x2. There is so much to the fifth string ... its a completely different instrument almost. The high string is located at the top rather than the bottom to improve speed -- you can hit adjacent notes with thumb and finger .... well I don't know how to explain it because I'm still learning myself, but it is important. The fifth string can also be tuned or clamped for key changes. You'd be missing alot by not going with a 5-string.

From long experience with stringed instruments, I would also argue for spending as much as you can comfortably afford. A good instrument feeds back into your ears and out your fingers, back into your ears, etc. Because of that and because a good instrument is easier to use, it increases the liklihood that you'll stick with it.

I have a Gold Tone OB-250+:

Here's a great resource -- I've done alot of business with these guys over the years. Their prices are right, their quality is right, and their shipping is right:

http://elderly.com/departments/banjo

And like Steve Martin said, you just can't sing a depressing song while playing the banjo.

Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:27 am

a guy i used to play with was pretty dang good at the banjo and he always talked about this website as a good resource for it.

http://www.folkofthewood.com/

Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:41 pm

Thanks for all the links and replies. I had planned on spending $400.-$500 for a "good" starter. I'm leaning towards a 5 string, I do love that bluegrass sound.

Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:12 pm

Get a CD by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. It will blow your mind!!! The live DVD is a winner too. He uses mixed meter all over the place. Not just 4/4 but 15/32, 5/8, 3/16 etc.....

Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:33 pm

I used to play a little banjo (not in size) i sold it and now mainly play guitar, purcussion and saxophone. I found that the best place to buy banjo's would be Guitar Center, if there's one nearby, or just find a good yardsale.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:26 pm

www.banjohangout.org, as listed above, is DEFINITELY the place to go for good banjo information. I've been picking the banjo for almost 30 years and have been a member of that forum for a while. In fact, here's one of my post you may find of interest...

http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=130647

A bluegrass 5-string is the most popular type of banjo out there, and is usually the sound that comes to mind when you hear the word banjo. Go to the site, study, read, then purchase. Even the OB-250+
is a korean banjo in disguise (it's a kit assembled in FL.) I'm not saying it's a bad banjo. In fact some of my favorite banjos, for beginners, on the market today are chinese. Good luck in your search!![/img]

Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:56 pm

there's some banjo on here might help you make up your mind as to whether 4 or 5 strings. :wink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9quAMvHq0Y

i just got an old german framus banjo (had a few other oddities before) and i've only recently come across banjohangout, quite interesting.

there's a 60's gibson mastertone for sale in the next village, $1850 is more than i can afford right now tho'.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:23 pm

oorwullie wrote: there's some banjo on here might help you make up your mind as to whether 4 or 5 strings. :wink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9quAMvHq0Y

...

Ummm...yeah. Anywho here's my favorite banjo picker, Scott Vestal, pickin' with the Sam Bush Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGzhAjOhMoE

And then there's...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9SkB1yLx5Y

Peace!

Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:33 pm

Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:35 pm

Then theres this guy......

Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:14 pm

Have any of you guys heard about the solid bodied Gibson Banjo?

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:12 pm

I've played guitar for 25 years.
So I bought a five string and tried to learn "picken".
I failed miserably.
Obviously, I'm nowhere near as talented as I thought I was.

Quote: What is the difference between a banjo and a South American Macaw: one is loud, obnoxious, and noisy; and the other is a bird.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:53 pm

Combine the old guitar knowledge with the banjo! I've played these and they're a blast.....heavy bastards tho.....

http://www.deeringbanjos.com/6string.htm