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oldbugs
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2002
Posts: 185
Location: Deerfield Beach, FL.
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 Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject: OK...does anyone here play banjo? |
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I've been wanting to learn to play for a long time now (I can hear the hillbilly jokes now  ). 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  . Thanks
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blarneyman
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2005
Posts: 1622
Location: Everson/Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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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).
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California Westy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 174
Location: So California Desert
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 3:27 am Post subject: |
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| banjohangout.org is a real good website for any Banjo information. |
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Meyer
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2003
Posts: 807
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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runslikeapenguin
Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2005
Posts: 4674
Location: Federal way WA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:27 am Post subject: |
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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/
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oldbugs
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2002
Posts: 185
Location: Deerfield Beach, FL.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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JiI
Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2006
Posts: 1845
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| 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..... |
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williamblanda
Don't Disgrace The Eddy!
Joined: September 09, 2008
Posts: 1380
Location: Buffalo, NY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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1977_L63H_P27
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2006
Posts: 2345
Location: Bristol, Tennessee
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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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]
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| busdaddy wrote: |
...and try a few chubby ones until you find one you like.
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oorwullie
Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2003
Posts: 2365
Location: fribourg,switzerland
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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there's some banjo on here might help you make up your mind as to whether 4 or 5 strings.
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'.
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1977_L63H_P27
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2006
Posts: 2345
Location: Bristol, Tennessee
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Lee.
Samba Animal Controller
Joined: December 22, 2003
Posts: 3079
Location: Denver, CO
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USMCbug
Samba Yoda
Joined: April 29, 2004
Posts: 2573
Location: Wichita, KS
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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Then theres this guy......
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williamblanda
Don't Disgrace The Eddy!
Joined: September 09, 2008
Posts: 1380
Location: Buffalo, NY
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Have any of you guys heard about the solid bodied Gibson Banjo? |
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vw (o\!/o) nut
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2006
Posts: 855
Location: Wisconsin - Where the men are men and the sheep are nervous.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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| What is the difference between a banjo and a South American Macaw: one is loud, obnoxious, and noisy; and the other is a bird. |
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"Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a prime suspect." |
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68for500
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2007
Posts: 76
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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