Banjo advice

[lar]

A few months ago I unexpectedly found myself playing in a polka band. It's fun music and I'm enjoying doing polka shows with one band and classic country shows with another.

As I've started becoming more familiar with polka music I've found that lots of polka bands use tenor banjo's instead of guitars to I've been thinking about buying one. A few weeks ago I ordered a used 1962 Vega Vox 1 tenor. It's a beautiful instrument and in exceptional shape. I got it for a great price. Tragically, UPS damaged the banjo in transit. When it arrived there was a crack that ran from just below the nut to the first fret. It was all the way through the neck. I was heartbroken. The company I bought it from offered to pay to have it repaired. If I had owned the banjo for a long time I would have had it repaired. But since it was new to me I knew that the damage, even if repaired, lessened the value considerably. So, regretfully, I sent it back.

Now I'm looking for another one and I need some advice. I figure this is the place to come.

Tenor banjos aren't exactly a big deal these days. Although they aren't difficult to find they aren't plentiful and the majority I've seen on Ebay or Reverb.com are from the 20s and 30s. Predictably, many of them are bottom of the line models. I don't want those.

I've been looking at a gorgeous Bacon & Day Silver Bell #1 that can be had for a fairly decent price but it's age concerns me. I know that in the day Bacon & Day was one of the premier banjo makers and they have a great reputation. But I'm looking for a player, not something to hang on the wall.

Deering has a great name in the business and, as far as I can tell, they seem to be about the only really quality maker out there these days. I don't want one of their "good time" models but once you get past those the prices double.

Some of my concerns are that because there is zero availability locally I'm going to have to buy sight unseen. My choices seem to very good quality 20s and 30s vintage banjos for maybe $1,000 to $1,500 or a new Deering medium grade model for about $2,500. I really don't want to spend $2,500 but I want something playable with a good sound and that will last me a while.

Other than Bacon & Day and Vega I don't know anything about the quality vintage brands. Even if I did, there are my concerns about buying an 80+ year old instrument.

Gold Tone and Recording King are names from the past that have been revived and are being made overseas. A friend of mine owned two different modern Recording King guitars and both were junk. I have similar concerns about Gold Tone.

So there you have it my friends. I have a dilemma and I'm counting on you for some good advice. Take your time. Talk amongst youselves. Smoke 'em it you got 'em. And . . . thanks in advance.

[Marshall]

Run !

[coachdoc]

Go to the website banjo hangout and ask. Very active site, and unlike the S'hole, void of political content.

[Tamarack]

I'm kinda ignorant of tenor banjos, but I will venture a few thoughts:

I have found Gold Tone and Recording King banjos to be decent entry-level products. My Gold Tone 5-string is a 2002 model, assembled in Florida from Korean-made parts. Gold Tone might have gone downhill since they started making them completely in China.

Elderly usually has a decent selection of tenor banjos, including 1920s-1930s vintage Vegas and Gibsons. These have all benefited from the attention of the Elderly repair shop. I live about an hour away from Elderly and am overdue for a visit. I could check out a few instruments and connect you via FaceTime or Skype with a salesperson who knows how to play a tenor.

[Tamarack]

If you wanted something really funky you could try this:

1939 Vega Electric Tenor Banjo



Not only would this effectively compete with concertinas and accordians, you could run it through effects pedals and plug it into a Marshall stack.

[Tamarack]

You could also take CoachDoc's advice and try Banjo Hangout classifieds. 99 four-string banjos listed right now.

link

[Chesapeake]

I can't speak specifically to tenor banjos, but I do have a Goldtone 5-stringer, and, as they say, you get what you pay for. Okay for entry-level, but not anything to go tell Aunt Rhody about.

My Gibson RB250 rings like a bell, which in my opinion is what banjos are supposed to do. But my favorite player is an elegantly turned-out Deering Vega No. 2 - basically the banjo used by Dave Guard of the Kingston Trio, but without the long neck. Despite its open-back construction, it's plenty loud enough to hold its own in a bluegrass band. It set me back about $2,500 ten years ago, and I see they're now going for c. $3,700 at Elderly. I'm sure the four-string version is equally beautiful to look at and play, but pricey for your purpose. Which leads me to wonder if you shouldn't see if you could re-buy the Vega you returned. If it's a good player, why not?

Btw, a little four-stringer trivia: the opening notes of "Tom Dooley" were played with a pick on a tenor banjo by Bob Shane. Dave Guard had nothing to do with it.

[lar]

Jun 24, 2017 9:28:25 GMT -5 Tamarack said:

You could also take CoachDoc's advice and try Banjo Hangout classifieds. 99 four-string banjos listed right now.

link

Just took a look. Mostly 20s and 30s vintage and I still don't know if it's advisable that I buy one that old.

I love the ad that begins "The banjo you are looking at is a tenor Vega Professional from 1926." There are no photos. LOL!

[lar]

Jun 24, 2017 9:12:36 GMT -5 Tamarack said:

If you wanted something really funky you could try this:

1939 Vega Electric Tenor Banjo



Not only would this effectively compete with concertinas and accordians, you could run it through effects pedals and plug it into a Marshall stack.

I saw this one on Reverb.com. Interesting concept and a great conversation piece. I wonder how sounds through a Marshall stack.

[Dub]

Our mutual friend and sometimes 'Holer, Roger Anderson, makes and has made all kinds of stringed instruments including banjos, several of which were quite nice. He may have made a tenor or two though I've not seen any. Or he may be able to cobble one together. He always used top quality tone rings and may have the makings gathering dust somewhere.

A great many of the old tenors had their necks swapped for new five-string necks in the '60s & '70s. That partly explains the dearth of tenors today.

And remember that the tenor banjo lost popularity in part because of the development of the archtop guitar. Archtops were loud enough to be heard in a band so the banjos were no longer needed. What you need is to have Terry Kennedy build you a loud acoustic archtop guitar and forget this crazy banjo talk.

[Russell Letson]

Lar--do you plan on tuning the banjo Chicago style (that is, DGBE) or are you going to learn tenor-tuning chords? There's a thread on the advantages here:

www.banjohangout.org/archive/145335

Then there's the option of a six-string banjo, of which I happen to have an extra sitting around unplayed (but no unloved). See your messages for details.

[patrick]

I have two tenor banjos that I use to play Irish music. Both are Vegas, one from 1924 and one from about 1927, if I recall correctly. There is nothing inherently wrong with an old banjo, they are not nearly as fragile as an old guitar.

I got mine from House of Musical Traditions in Tacoma Park, which is nearby. The owner says he doesn't carry newer banjos, because the older ones are a better value, better tone and construction. Of course, he runs all his instruments past a luthier before offering them.

Another thing to keep in mind is 17 vs 19 frets. The 17 fret are somewhat easier to finger, though the 19 fret have a better tone and are easier to get into tune.

[Dub]

Jun 24, 2017 12:02:57 GMT -5 patrick said:

…and are easier to get into tune.

Wait… I thought we were talking about banjos here.

[lar]

Jun 24, 2017 10:24:25 GMT -5 Dub said:

Our mutual friend and sometimes 'Holer, Roger Anderson, makes and has made all kinds of stringed instruments including banjos, several of which were quite nice. He may have made a tenor or two though I've not seen any. Or he may be able to cobble one together. He always used top quality tone rings and may have the makings gathering dust somewhere.

A great many of the old tenors had their necks swapped for new five-string necks in the '60s & '70s. That partly explains the dearth of tenors today.

And remember that the tenor banjo lost popularity in part because of the development of the archtop guitar. Archtops were loud enough to be heard in a band so the banjos were no longer needed. What you need is to have Terry Kennedy build you a loud acoustic archtop guitar and forget this crazy banjo talk.

Great idea! Now if I can only convince Terry to take an IOU that will come due in 50 years or so.

[drlj]

Best thing about a pickup on a banjo is that it enables you to turn the damned thing down.

[Dub]

Jun 25, 2017 17:18:48 GMT -5 lar said:

Jun 24, 2017 10:24:25 GMT -5 Dub said:

Our mutual friend and sometimes 'Holer, Roger Anderson, makes and has made all kinds of stringed instruments including banjos, several of which were quite nice. He may have made a tenor or two though I've not seen any. Or he may be able to cobble one together. He always used top quality tone rings and may have the makings gathering dust somewhere.

A great many of the old tenors had their necks swapped for new five-string necks in the '60s & '70s. That partly explains the dearth of tenors today.

And remember that the tenor banjo lost popularity in part because of the development of the archtop guitar. Archtops were loud enough to be heard in a band so the banjos were no longer needed. What you need is to have Terry Kennedy build you a loud acoustic archtop guitar and forget this crazy banjo talk.

Great idea! Now if I can only convince Terry to take an IOU that will come due in 50 years or so.

Give Terry a call. You might be surprised.

[lar]

Jun 24, 2017 9:07:17 GMT -5 Tamarack said:

I'm kinda ignorant of tenor banjos, but I will venture a few thoughts:

I have found Gold Tone and Recording King banjos to be decent entry-level products. My Gold Tone 5-string is a 2002 model, assembled in Florida from Korean-made parts. Gold Tone might have gone downhill since they started making them completely in China.

Elderly usually has a decent selection of tenor banjos, including 1920s-1930s vintage Vegas and Gibsons. These have all benefited from the attention of the Elderly repair shop. I live about an hour away from Elderly and am overdue for a visit. I could check out a few instruments and connect you via FaceTime or Skype with a salesperson who knows how to play a tenor.

I wouldn't ask you to make a special trip but if you happen to get over to Elderly one of these days I'd be interested in your opinion about anything they might have in stock.

[Cosmic Wonder]

Aaron, one of the guys at Mya Moe Ukes, (the guys who made my custom Mango wood tenor uke that turned out absolutely killer) makes banjos. If you wanted to order one imho he would be worth checking out.

www.myamoeukuleles.com

Mike

[TKennedy]

I have worked on several 20's Ludwigs with skin heads that were cool and sounded good. I remember looking up what they were going for and it was not bad. $300+.

Tuners were not too great and necks needed to be shimmed but that is not a big deal and they have mojo.

Hey Lar we are in Central City on our way back from Denver. I am always up for talking guitars.

[Marty]

Not a fan of real skin heads on banjos. They sound nice but are way too much upkeep as they change tension with the humidity. Better to go with a Remo Fiberskyn head, not quite as good as real skin but much better than plastic.