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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Good open back banjo for clawhammer style | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Mon Oct 22nd, 2007 09:43 pm |
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1st Post |
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BanjoGal Approved 
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I have just started taking clawhammer banjo lessons. I've fallen completely in love with the instrument and style of playing. I have an old Kay banjo with a resonator but am looking to purchase a good open-back banjo. Any suggestions for a good beginner banjo? My price range is $500 USD or less. I might be willing to pay more depending on quality, etc. Thanks for your help!
____________________ The banjo is such a happy instrument--you can't play a sad song on the banjo - it always comes out so cheerful. -Steve Martin |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 23rd, 2007 01:21 am |
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2nd Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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My recommendation, because it's what I started with, is the Deering Goodtime. I played mine for 7 years until a Chuck Lee Lone Star refused to let me out of the music store without it. I know Richard and several others have good things to say about the Goldtones, but I've never played one for longer than a couple of minutes. What I like about the Goodtime (not the newer II's or specials), is that it has a wooden tone ring, so the sound is not as "bright" as the others, which I think is part and parcel of the OT mystic. String it up with some Vega Medium strings, stuff a sock between the dowel and the head, and you've got a nice-sounding, inexpensive banjo that will last for years. The retail price is about $300 US, last time I looked. Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 23rd, 2007 02:14 pm |
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3rd Post |
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vrteach Approved 
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Yup, the two usual suggestions for a beginner-grade open back banjo (and in both cases an instrument that can be worth keeping beyond beginner stage) are the Deering Goodtime and the GoldTone CC-50 & CC100. The Goldtones cost less but the Deering is made in the US. Donald Zepp sells a "Zeppified" version of the Goodtime, which has been modified to give a sound that is more pleasing (to many people). Go to http://www.zeppmusic.com/frameset.htm and then choose the "banjo starter packages". While there, also listen to his many fine sound recordings--he is a great clawhammer player.
____________________ Erich -- http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/bands/956/ http://vrteach.org |
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27th, 2007 08:31 pm |
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4th Post |
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BanjoGal Approved
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Thanks so much to both of you for the advice! We are actually using the Goodtime in our class as loaner instruments. I really like the sound and the Goodtime banjos seem put together very well. Is it bad to fall in love so quickly with an instrument? Heheh 
____________________ The banjo is such a happy instrument--you can't play a sad song on the banjo - it always comes out so cheerful. -Steve Martin |
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27th, 2007 11:29 pm |
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5th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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The question is: What took you so long? Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28th, 2007 03:21 am |
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6th Post |
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BanjoGal Approved
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I took some guitar lessons about a year ago right after my dad passed away. My mom signed up for clawhammer banjo lessons. I wasn't really interested at the time. The guitar didn't really suit me--I can play basic rhythm on it, but for some reason the thing eludes me on a higher scale of playability. So I decided to take banjo this semester with my mom. After the first couple of weeks I found out how fun and intuitive the banjo is. Or maybe it's the teacher? Who knows? At any rate, I'm so glad I found the banjo and the clawhammer style of playing. It really has been so much fun. Mom and I practice for hours together at least 3 or 4 days a week. I feel relaxed and happy afterwards. I can't say THAT about the guitar 
____________________ The banjo is such a happy instrument--you can't play a sad song on the banjo - it always comes out so cheerful. -Steve Martin |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28th, 2007 09:39 pm |
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7th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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Keep at the guitar, too. Even if you just concentrate on playing chords as backup, it will add a nice addition to the sound you and your mother make together. Now, you just need to find a fiddler! Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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