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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Alvarez Minstrel | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2007 11:10 pm |
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1st Post |
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4thePegeh Approved
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Hi Someone where I live has an Alvarez Minstrel banjo for sale for around $200. Would that be a reasonable investment for a beginner wishing to learn to play? The seller doesn't know much about banjos and niether do I.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2007 11:52 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Charlie Approved 
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Well I did a little research from google and looks like they sell new for about $600. or so if they are the same banjo. Does it look like it was made in the last 10 years or so. I believe that it would be a good buy at $200. unless it was ragged out. Maybe some one with more knowledge on banjo's will see this and give you a better answer than I can. Hope this helps Charlie
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2007 04:47 am |
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3rd Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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First question: Do you know what type of music you want to learn to play on the banjo? If you want to play Bluegrass, I don't think a minstrel banjo is the right one. These usually have at least a 12" head (I think usually even bigger), and use nylon (gut) strings. The minstrel style of music basically morphed into the "clawhammer" style of today, and is characterized by a "plunky" sound. If Bluegrass is your choice, you will need a "brighter" banjo, and most probably will require a resonator in order to be heard in the band. If you like Old Time instead, forget everything I said above and if you like the sound and feel of the instrument, buy it. (And post pictures here) Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2007 03:46 pm |
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4th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator 
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There's an Alvarez Minstrel banjo on ebay right now and I think it would be a great deal at $200 if it's in pretty good shape. 110115088499 I think Banjo Brad was under the impression that it was a "minstrel" banjo in the traditional sense but the one on ebay is a pretty nice bluegrass banjo. One thing you need to be aware of is whether it's a 4-string banjo or a 5-string banjo. I think there is also an Alvarez Minstrel banjo that is a 4-string. There's a huge difference between the two (4-string and 5-string) and if you want to play bluegrass or clawhammer or a similar old-time style you would want to be sure it's a 5-string. Sounds like a good deal though... even if it's a 4-string. 
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2007 07:20 pm |
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5th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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Yeah - being an old OT/clawhammer/downstroke/minstrel type kinda guy, I leapt to that assumption. A picture might have made a difference. But, then, who wants to play Bluegrass, anyway?  Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2007 07:41 pm |
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6th Post |
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Charlie Approved
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Yeah Brad, It suprised me also when I looked it up and saw it was a newer banjo they make and they also make it in a tenor banjo. Alveraz is doing some strange things as I just bought a new Alveraz mandolin and it has no names or sticker on it anywhere except for their design in the head stock. It is one of the best mandolin I have ever had and looks like it is hand made by some one other than assembly line work. Has oil finish on spruce top and tiger maple on the sides and back and neck with Abalony fret board and the tree of life mother of pearl inlay. Sorry I got off the subject Charlie
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2007 10:56 pm |
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7th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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That's ok - to me, the Alvarez name implies Classical Guitar! Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21st, 2007 07:28 am |
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8th Post |
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4thePegeh Approved
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Thank you for your thoughts! The banjo is the same as the one on ebay, except model 4289. Different head and two spikes. Otherwise similar. Part of the reason for the price was the absence of a bridge. I have just added one and new strings and now it seems to work. It makes lots of sound. All that remains is the fun of learning to play. So, on to your tutorials! Thanks again!
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