What do I need to know?
What do I look for in a new or used (more likely) one?
What should I expect to pay?
This would be for myself to start out on and eventually pass to my teenage son who is already expressing an interest.
What do I need to know?
What do I look for in a new or used (more likely) one?
What should I expect to pay?
This would be for myself to start out on and eventually pass to my teenage son who is already expressing an interest.
There is only one answer and its not miata. Find a nice used Deering goodtime open backed banjo. You can always add a ring if you really want the tone but this is the beginner banjo.
It's like day jah boo ann E36 M3.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/learn-me-a-good-beginner-banjo/41305/page1/
I just bought a Mastercraft. Sounds and feels just like the Vega I 've been playing since I was 10yo.
Bought it here. There local to me so I got to play most of what they sell. Mastercraft is a very good starter banjo.
The entire banjo world recommends the Deering, though I don't necessarily agree with the open back. I'd just go for the closed right off and have it. I found my beginner banjo on Craigslist but there are always some on eBay, though I don't believe you'll get a bargain there. Also check local music shops; particularly if you live in an area that is not big on bluegrass music. My local guitar guy gets them every so often and he'd rather move them than try to make a killing as they aren't his thing.
You can also check the classifieds at BHO, which is the place you'll want to frequent while you learn: Banjo Hangout.
I have an original copy of the Deliverance soundtrack if you'd like to practice along to it. 
Funny - when someone mentions banjo, someone else mentions Deliverance.
I think of Harold and Maude:
Right after the Jag "hearse" got splatted. 
I've always wanted to learn how to play one. 
petegossett wrote: I have an original copy of the Deliverance soundtrack if you'd like to practice along to it.
The repeated infantile references to this movie that I constantly get are why I refuse to learn to play Dueling Banjos. Telling people you play the banjo is like driving a Yugo; you won't get any respect and will be the butt of tired, bad jokes. Why people don't associate it with the Beverly Hillbillies or Brother, Where Art Thou? instead puzzles me.
e_pie, if you want to learn there's no time like the present. With the internet, DVDs and tablature it's possible to teach yourself without an instructor. Several instructors now do Skype lessons. The biggest detriment I have to learning is simply the time to do it.
ddavidv wrote:petegossett wrote: I have an original copy of the Deliverance soundtrack if you'd like to practice along to it.The repeated infantile references to this movie that I constantly get are why I refuse to learn to play Dueling Banjos. Telling people you play the banjo is like driving a Yugo; you won't get any respect and will be the butt of tired, bad jokes.
So if I pick up the banjo as well, I will be butt of all kinds of jokes!
If you're just fiddling around with the notion, anything that's vaguely banjo shaped will get you off the ground. No doubt, the worse it is, the faster you're outgrow it. But, a $20 junker that sits there gathering dust is a better deal than a $200 player that sits there gathering dust.
As you play and your skills grow, you will bump into the limits of whatever you are playing. You will also discover quite a bit about yourself and how you play. This will help you greatly in picking your next banjo.
So cruise craigslist, ebay, and the local classifieds. Mention it to friends, family and coworkers. Let that old banjo someone's had in the back of their closet become your starter banjo. After a year or so of picking, you'll know whether or not you're really ready to move up to a better banjo.
OTOH, if you buy a Deering right off the bat you'll have a good instrument, and if you find you're not into it you will be able to get most of your money back on it. 
(Says the guy who bought a Craiglist Austin banjo for $175).
ddavidv wrote: OTOH, if you buy a Deering right off the bat you'll have a good instrument, and if you find you're not into it you will be able to get most of your money back on it.
Exactly, plus with instruments fighting against the instrument while you learn stinks.
I can pickup a 10$ ukulele and make it sing, I have played for 15 years. But in the hands of a newer player a transitional martin will almost always sound better and play easier.
ddavidv wrote: OTOH, if you buy a Deering right off the bat you'll have a good instrument, and if you find you're not into it you will be able to get most of your money back on it.
Oh, I don't disagree with you. Just most folk, myself included, tend to not get around to actually reselling it. Things like this many times turn out to be momentary phase, and then it gathers dust in the back of the closet.
And I don't disagree with the difficulties of learning on something junky. It is harder. But with something like a banjo, for as long as you have to keep looking at the neck to see where to place your fingers, quality of the instrument isn't very important.
In reply to foxtrapper:
I agree the first banjo I played was very cheaply made. I started palying at 8. Momma bought me the Vega at 10 and even though it was a lower end instrument it woas worlds better than the junk I started with.
I quit messing with it when I got to highschool. Kept the thing around until a couple years ago when I got real serious about paying off debt. Sold it and then instantly regretted selling it. My wife suprised me with the new one for my birthday this year. My mother inlaw even paid for two months worth of lessons.
I have the rolls and basics down. Just need to learn more songs. I have a real hard time trying to play along with anyone else because I've spent my whole life playing by myself. I've found learning new material is actually coming quicker to me this time around. My goal is to b able to play with other people. I will get there sooner or later. I'm in no rush.
Bluegrass is in my soul. I grew up at festivals throughout the midwest. My Dad was disabled not long after I was born and bought and old bread truck and converted it into a RV. During the summer when I wasn't in school we were at every Bluegrass festival we could get to. The last one I remember going to was the big one at the Kentucky horse park, around 1990 or so. It stood out because Mom got drunk and got arrested
In reply to nicksta43:
A little bit different style from Chris Whitley.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6RElxGun28
In reply to Drahthaar:
Very similar to the old caw hammer style. I've been trying to pick that up a little bit. Sounds good.
ddavidv wrote: OTOH, if you buy a Deering right off the bat you'll have a good instrument, and if you find you're not into it you will be able to get most of your money back on it.
I played the Deerings while looking for a new banjo. While I liked them the Mastercraft I bought to me had better tone and feel. I guess everyone has there favorite feel but to me this one just sounds great. Also was a little cheaper. I doubt I'll ever sell but I agree that if I did the Deering would get me most of the money back.
I'm starting to love this style of playing.
I just saw Mr. Martin play last week. If you get the chance to see him, do it. Not only is he a excellent banjo player in multiple styles, his show is funny as hell (which you'd expect, but I didn't necessarily think he would do).
The point/counterpoint to the quality of a first banjo is legitimate from both sides. Really, you can't go wrong either way as long as you give it a try. 
I can only play 3 songs and little bits of music with mine but it's always fun to just sit and pick with it.
A canoe so big you could take it down the AINTREE river.
What's the definition of perfect pitch? It's the sounds that is made when the banjo hits the accordion in the bottom of the dumpster.
What's the difference in a banjo and a Harley? You can tune a Harley
How can you tell the difference in all the banjo songs? By their names
What's the difference in a banjo and a trampoline? You take your shoes off before you jump on a trampoline...
Real quote I said after the last jam I was at before the pandemic: "well, there were 3 banjos there, which is about 2 and a half too many banjos"
"A gentleman is a man who knows how to play the banjo... and doesn't."
(Although I love this quote from Mark Twain, I don't agree with it. I love to listen to banjo playing, and have a lot of respect for the art.)
Margie
What discussion about the banjo would be complete without including the inimitable Mr. Steve Martin?
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