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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Fender Leo Banjo- condition question | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 02:58 pm |
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1st Post |
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WIldweasel Approved
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I am new to Banjo's and will be playing bluegrass style, I am borrowing a banjo at the moment but at a local store I found a Japan made used Fender Leo. overall shape is okay, The only real issue I see is the chrome is pitted, the neck and all the wood is in exallent shape, and it doesn't look like it has been played much. good price from what I have seen on the web (299.00 with case) Like I said the chrome would turn most folks off. the fret/fingerboard looks new no real wear. I am looking for a decent Banjo that will help me learn and last me for awhile. Is ther anything else I should really look at before purchasing this banjo? Is the chrome condition a major issue? (The looks to me are secondary as to the sound and playability.) I think with some elbow grease the chrome could be cleaned up alot, But it is pitted. (the arm rest is like new no pitting) So should I go back and put some money down on it till next payday? I think it is a sreaming deal but don't want my novice excitment to cost me down the road. (I have been reading all the back posts and the boards are VERY helpfull. ) Glenn Loud western mass USA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 03:46 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator 
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Hi Glenn, It's hard to say without seeing it, but I had a student a number of years ago who had a Fender Leo and it was a great banjo. It played great, had a good tone ring, beautiful inlays -- really nice all the way around. Seems like it was a $600-800 banjo and that's been quite a while back (maybe 10 or 12 years). I don't know if there are (or were) different models of Fender Leo banjos -- could be some are better than others. Maybe somebody else will know. Is there a case with this banjo? A good hardshell case included in the price would be nice. If it does have one, I'm thinking it's going to be a really good deal since a case would cost at least another $80 or $100. If you play the guitar already, try out the banjo and see how the action is and how the notes sound. If you don't play at all, try to take somebody to the store with you who does so they can give you an honest opinion. If you don't have anybody to take with you and don't know anything about it, ask the person at the store how it compares to other banjos. Ask if it's easy to play and has good action (the action is easier to adjust on a banjo than a guitar). Try to find out if it has any buzzes and that kind of thing. Hope that helps a little bit... Good luck! 
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 04:08 pm |
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3rd Post |
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WIldweasel Approved
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Thanks for the reply, it does have a case with it, (hardshell) I do not play , but I have a good friend who is a very good guitar player I may drag down there to scope it out. I know there are a few models of the LEO (deluxe and regular,) and this is a regular. VERY heavy unit, no wear or scratches on the wood anywhere. I did read the reviews on onther site and they all say for the price it is a great banjo (they paid from 400-600 but the chrome was better on the ones reviewed.) I think for the money it will be a nice rig. And I may be able to talk them down in price, they are really a band store with no banjo experts in the store. I love the site and keep up the good work!
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 04:25 pm |
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4th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator
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Hey Glenn, I'd jump on it if I were you. Sounds like you're getting a deal that doesn't come along every day. I looked up "Fender Leo Banjo" on ebay and there are none on there currently, but looking at the completed auctions there are several, and they're all way more than $299. One went for $555. Don't let it get away! 
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 05:03 pm |
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5th Post |
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WIldweasel Approved
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I am on my way! Thanks
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 06:52 pm |
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6th Post |
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WIldweasel Approved
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Got it! Hard case included, on second look I think I can clean up the chrome and it should look good. They tuned it in the store (Should I say just check the tune) and it was in nice tune, from what I can tell it sounds great. They threw in a strap and I got a stand for 30.00 Now on to the lessons! Wooo hooo Thanks for the push. Glenn
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 06:59 pm |
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7th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator
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Yee-haw! I think you did great. One other thing you should do before long is get yourself an electronic chromatic tuner. You can probably pick one up at the store where you bought your banjo for about $20, and they'll probably show you how to use it. Don't settle for a pitch pipe or something like that. The electronic tuner will save you a ton of aggravation. Here's a good place to start learning... http://www.ezfolk.com/bgbanjo/intro/intro.html Last edited on Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 06:59 pm by Richard Hefner ____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 07:08 pm |
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8th Post |
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WIldweasel Approved
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I have a tuner on it's way (I got it from Banjo.com as a kit, with pics, DVD, tuner and strings) and I will do my best to buy my other supplies through the links on this site so You will get your cut. thanks for the assist. Now to make the critters start howling... Glenn
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| Posted: Fri Dec 23rd, 2005 07:12 pm |
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9th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator
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Okay... that's good... feel free to ask questions in this forum as you're learning. There are a lot of helpful (and encouraging) people around here. Good luck!
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26th, 2005 10:10 pm |
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10th Post |
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WIldweasel Approved
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Thanks again Richard, I have cleaned and done some tuning work on it (the head was VERY loose) and have the chrome all cleaned up. Sounds great. WOrking on my playing now and very happy.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 27th, 2005 11:24 am |
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11th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator
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Hey Glenn, Glad to hear the banjo is working out for you! We'll looking forward to hearing some of your music once you get up to speed on it.
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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