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ezFolk Forums > Banjo > Beginner Questions - Banjo > Hi from Newbie, and should I keep my new banjo (gift) or trade for another? |
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| Hi from Newbie, and should I keep my new banjo (gift) or trade for another? - Beginner Questions - Banjo - Banjo - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Theresse Approved
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I traded the Rover RB-30 in when still new (last August) and upgraded to the RB-40 (in a hurry - figuring the window would soon close to be able to trade it in...though I have no idea why it didn't occur to me to ask if they had something besides Rover that I could upgrade to!). Here's the RB-30: http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details.asp?ProductID=RB-30 Here's the RB-40: http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details.asp?ProductID=RB-40 I'm wondering if the RB-40 is a decent enough banjo if I want to keep it for many years to come...do any of you have that one? All I ever hear about is the RB-20 or RB-30. I realize the Rovers aren't considered to be the greatest of banjos. Here is some background info about me (skip past if this kind of thing bores you!): I play guitar a bit (both classical and steel string) but for some unknown reason I've always had a thing about banjos and have always wanted to learn. I think it all started with Neil Young's "Old Man" when I was a kid. Or maybe it was the -- don't laugh -- Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney Land, where the old man sits on the porch lazily picking at the banjo with the fireflies about! I guess I have romantic notions about the south, too (willow trees at twilight, porch swings, sweet potato pie, swamps...I know, I sound crazy)! In the last few years I've thought that if I ever get around to finally getting a banjo, that i'd experiment with playing unusual pieces for the banjo (e.g. Bach or children's lullabies, etc.) - although I'm getting the feeling that I'm not the only one who's had these "oh so original" thoughts!  The way I got the banjo is funny (to me anyway). My mom I think had a crush on a very nice man who loves old time banjo playing. She overheard me telling him how I've always wanted one. She's not much of a gift-giver (well, not when it comes to something one of her kids would actually WANT - I'm in my 30's by the way), but lo and behold, she and her friend decided to go out and get me an early b-day present one day since her friend needed to do a banjo errand anyway. Wow - she's got to get crushes on people more often so I can get more goodies out of it - lol! Regarding open-back, I'm more attracted to old time than bluegrass. While I like bluegrass, I love the folk/unique historical aspect of old time music and find the music more charming and even kind of strange in a good and haunting sort of way. So I haven't had time to play it until now, and I'm feeling brave enough to *consider* asking the store owners if they'd let me trade it yet again since it clearly hasn't been played more than once or twice, for something nicer (and I'd of course pay the difference), if there's any reason to think this wouldn't be nice enough. They could always order me something if they don't carry it, or, I could trade it for something in the store that's used which is the more likely scenario. It certainly is heavy (in a lopsided way of course which feels odd), and hurts to hold in my lap (very poky!) but it has a decent tone I think and seems to have good action. I felt a couple of lighter-weight ones today in a different store and while they were a bit less expensive, they felt really nice because they were so light. Thanks very much and sorry for giving you so much to read! Last edited on Sat Apr 5th, 2008 09:03 am by Theresse |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Theresse- First, welcome to ezFolk, and to the WWB (Wonderful World of Banjo)! The Saga Rovers are fine instruments, but, as you have discovered, rather heavy. A lot of this is due to the tone ring, usually made of brass. And, really, the aluminum rims aren't really that light, either. You could try using a strap to help hold the banjo up some. If you adjust it right, it will help balance, and still sit, lightly, in your lap. It also gives you the ability to play standing up; of course, most OT music is played sitting down. If you want a lighter banjo, the best I can recommend is the Deering Goodtime openback. It has a weight of just over 7 lbs, and, while admittedly is an entry-level instrument, I played mine for 7 years before I was seduced by a walnut Chuck Lee Lone Star. The open back is definately the banjo for the Pirates ride kind of music, and fits well into folk music. Old Time music is usually assumed to be in the clawhammer style of play, but there are also 2-finger and 3-finger styles that are not the hard-driving, 200 bmp strings of 16th notes that comprise most of the bluegrass songs. I think you might consider going to a shop and playing a few different banjos, concentrating on feel and sound while remembering your price range. Of course, with a strap, you may be happy with your current banjo (for the present). Just remember, just like guitars, your taste may change/develop/refine to the point where you just have to have a different instrument! Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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Patrick_Woolery Approved
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I see that my response in your other thread just echoes what Brad says here. I think the 7 pound weight for the Goodtime is more along the lines of what their resonator version goes in at. My standard (no tone ring) version is only about 4 pounds. Very comfy. Brad's Chuck Lee banjo sounds fantastic and feels good, but is a whole lot heavier. Really, the banjo is a completely different instrument from a guitar. (I can't get used to the size of guitars. I feel like I have this enormous box in my lap and it gets in the way of playing!) Instead of looking for the "right" banjo, start playing the one you have. It is just like when you started playing guitar. There was not a single one that felt truly comfortable (unless you are a whole lot different in terms of what you call comfort than I am), but as you got used to the instrument, you learned to become comfortable with it. Any instrument is like that. (Try playing bagpipes some time. The first time, they keep trying to slide off the shoulder and slam onto the floor - a basic starter instrument is about a thousand bucks, so this is sort of scary when it happens.) Just pick a number of minutes you are going to play your banjo every night. Mess with the posture, strap position, and so on. Put in five to ten with it every day and in a week you will have found a comfortable position. Honest! As with anything, keep at it. My instruments were all awkward at first. Takes a week to train them to behave. -Patrick
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cockneybanjo Approved 
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rover RB40 is a good instrument, it has good details like the notched tone ring. most people think of Rover as makers of cheap starter instruments with distinctive plastic pots, which are actually quite good for what they are Aluminium pot banjos aren't to everyone's taste ( I don't have one ) but it's a good example of the type at the price point, and worth keeping for some time to come, I'd say, rather than keep trading and presumably, losing money every time Last edited on Mon Apr 7th, 2008 07:46 am by cockneybanjo |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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Patrick said:"I think the 7 pound weight for the Goodtime is more along the lines of what their resonator version goes in at. My standard (no tone ring) version is only about 4 pounds. Very comfy." And, he's right. The openback is about 4 pounds - I just didn't remember the correct number (Senioritis strikes yet again). Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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Theresse Approved
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Thanks everyone! I wish a local person selling her Goodtime w/ tone ring would write me back...she's asking $390 and if it's in good condition, that seems like it might be worth (not that I couldn't try talking her down a bit) it as it also comes with a case, included in the price. She didn't say "gig bag" so that would be great if it were a hard shell but anyway, who knows...at this point she may have already sold it to someone else. Since the Rover's barely been played, I'm wondering what I could get for it (?). I think they can be bought new on the internet for $300.00 (being the lowest price I could find), which does include the gig bag that I also have, as well as a battery-operated tuning divice (which I also have, not yet used either). The list price is about $390.00 though I don't remember if that includes the bag. So I was thinking I could try selling mine in new condition for something like $275.00 with all those things included, although I'm sure I'd more easily sell it for closer to $200.00, if that! If I have absolutely no luck, I'll just keep mine and upgrade later but I won't worry about not playing it to keep it in new condition - I'll just strap on the new strap I got and start having some fun. I've also gotten back into the guitar so have been investing my very limited free time into that while I've been in a the sort of limbo with the banjo.
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Theresse Approved
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Well the woman that was selling her Goodtime openback from a Craigslist ad is actually a man, and I just bought it from him. It's a Goodtime Special (with tone ring) and comes with the Goodtime gig bag and he was willing to go down from $390.00 to $375.00 (he said "I'd be willing to go down $25.00" which would actually be $365.00 but I decided not to push it!  I can't stand the disgusting haggling behavior...note: not the asking for lower price but the disingenuous behavior that often accompanies it on both ends - yuck! The lowest price I could find online for a new one (free shipping) with gig bag was $600.00 so I'm hoping the price I paid was reasonable and welcome your feedback on the matter!Anyway, it seems like a decent banjo. On the most exterior metal ring surrounding the head there is a small ding in the metal but the ding has a look as if it came that way because it's just as smooth as everything else (and the man verified that he hadn't dropped it which I have no reason to doubt). This bothers me a little since it might be viewed as a factory defect of some sort but it has no bearing on how well it plays/sounds and isn't immediately noticeable so I'm hoping that's no biggie. Also, there's some dirt (sort of a grey color) on the head, presumably where the hand has touched it over time. It's not terrible but I'm just wondering, is there some way to clean that off, considering the surface isn't very smooth (none of them are on any of these banjos)? I know if the surface were smooth it may be easier. Thank you! Last edited on Sun Apr 20th, 2008 11:36 pm by Theresse |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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I think you'll like the Goodtime. I really enjoyed to original Goodtime I had, and would still have it if I hadn't been seduced. "Also, there's some dirt (sort of a grey color) on the head, presumably where the hand has touched it over time. It's not terrible but I'm just wondering, is there some way to clean that off, considering the surface isn't very smooth (none of them are on any of these banjos)? I know if the surface were smooth it may be easier." You might try an eraser, or use a damp rag to try to wipe it off, but why? All banjo heads are going to begin to show their owner's love with this badge of distinction. Some heads have been played so long you can see that they have actually worn through in areas. If it gets too bad, you may want to get a new head (try a Fyberskin) and replace it. Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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Theresse Approved
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banjo brad wrote:I think you'll like the Goodtime. I really enjoyed to original Goodtime I had, and would still have it if I hadn't been seduced. Yeah they begin to show their OWNER'S love... he aint the owner anymore! Ha ha ha. Seriously, normal as it is, it's kind of gross cause it's from the oil of the skin left behind, collecting dust. GARRRRODY!!!!!!!  I need to find a banjo strap that is thin enough to fit under the very shallow space under the hooks, if you happen to know of one that will fit. Thanks! Oh and here are two youtube clips which I found inspiring...perhaps you know of these ladies?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgN20aFjAWI and... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgVoA4wYYE0&feature=related Oh and here's another one by Mean Mary I like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofAQtE7zHe0
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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Try a damp rag. Or even an eraser (or that Mr Clean thingy?). If those fail, you might use a little fingernail polish remover on a rag - I used it to remove the logo from a fyberskin head when I put it on the Goodtime. The first link, she's playing a tenor banjo (4 strings), which is pretty much the standard banjo for Irish music. I saw the second Mad Mary video on another forum - I'm not into speed-playing, so I didn't care much for it. She does play a good 3-finger OT style, though. I should hunt some more of her stuff up to listen to. For the strap, I just tied a cord around a couple of tension hooks and tied them off onto an old guitar strap. But I don't use a strap much, since OT music is pretty much played sitting down. Brad Last edited on Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 08:24 pm by banjo brad ____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| ezFolk Forums > Banjo > Beginner Questions - Banjo > Hi from Newbie, and should I keep my new banjo (gift) or trade for another? | |
