True. About upgrade. My first 5string was a Kay $70.00. Next was a Orpheum $245.00. next was a Deering Black Diamond for $1500.00, now I play a Gibson Mastertone. RB3 wreath. $2500.00. But at 80 years old. It’ll be my last & best.
I bought a long neck Vega at 73, I already have a very fine guitar, I don’t see myself buying any instruments in the future. (Except for that 1935 Martin Ukulele that I have my eye on, hoping the price will some day come down to below $2,500 American ). Whew.
NUT WIDTH!! Thank you so much! You are the first person I've ever heard address this issue! When you stressed its importance and used the word, "playability," you had my full attention. I got a banjo 20 years ago and gave it up because the strings were too close together for my fingers. Everyone I mentioned my problem to only said 'keep practicing.' I was led to believe that the nut width (I called it neck width) was standard. I can't thank you enough for your informative video. You've given me renewed hope. :)
The fifth thing I would add is what you want to do with it-- do you want to do bluegrass or frailing, are you wanting to busk with it (so you might want something lighter), do you want to play gigs, etc. all of these things will impact what banjo you will want to purchase.
I love your approach. In 1968 I purchased an old run-down classical guitar from my teacher (I was 16 years old). As the years progressed I purchased a very expensive instrument but never really "took" to it. A couple of years ago when retired I took my old guitar to a luthier to get it refinished as the French polish had 'given up the ghost'. The luthier inspected the guitar and became emotional and quite choked up exclaiming "I never thought I would ever see one of these in my lifetime!" He questioned me about it and whether I could prove it's provenance ie did I really own it? I played for him Recuerdos de la Allamhbra (not very well I'm afraid) and he became teary-eyed and told me to never get rid of it. The point I'm trying to make is: if you love your instrument it does not matter whether it is a Smallman, Hauser or whatever. If it gives you joy/pleasure you are on a winner. Doc Watson played an old Gibson (which I loved) but I couldn't care less for the sound of his Gallagher. Django Rhinehardt played an old beat-up French instrument which he (and his fans) preferred to fancier Gibsons and hand-made guitars.
Sound as a pound. I agree with you on every point. I have a simple brass hoop tone ring and it's a humdinger. The most important thing is that you love your instrument and you want to play it.
Thanks for a very thorough overview of what to look for when searching for a great banjo from this years old guitar player. You make some very great points for sure. Well done video for sure without pushing any thing for us suckers to buy. Thus it seems very honest. Thanks so much.
Great advice. I've bought my gold tone recently, a CC-50 and I'm in love with it. I'm playing it every single day! I was going to buy the cheaper AC-1 (a good beginner instrument - I like the gold tones), but the moment I held that plastic/composite pot in my hands I kinda lost interest. It sounded great and it was lightweight, tho. My other option was the Recording King entry model, but I couldn't find it on any of my local music stores.
You my dear are a treasure. I have praised your teaching demeanor in other clips of yours, but I wanted to thank you for being so nice. I am about to buy my first banjo and look forward to practicing along with your lessons. THEY are excellent for us beginners, by the way.
1 point i would add is "if possible" go to a physical shop and hear what the banjo you want sounds like in real life..i drove over 200 miles to find a shop with banjos in it and it was the BEST 200 i ever drove.I had listen to different demos on youtube. But when i got to hear them in person was SOOOO different. I actually fell in love with a deering that i straight up Hated when i listened to on videos🙂and great pointers as always Mandy😃
This is an excellent video, and thank you for making it. You were spot on about the timing - I've been practicing and taking lessons for about a year and looking into upgrading the starter banjo I found on Amazon. Thanks again for the tips!
Boy I just went and looked at the banjo I bought ( off craigslist )without knowing what the heck I was doing. Sadly the nut width is super narrow ( like 1” - yikes!) ... it’s also a reverb and I think I want an open back instead.. so looks like I might try and sell this one and save for another one while I focus on learning my dulcimer for now. I’m one of those people who have a goal of learning banjo/dulcimer/fiddle ( which I can play a little) and mandolin .. hopefully before Jesus brings me home whenever that may be! Life is good and I believe in livin’ it & fulfill my dreams of being able to play on my porch!! These videos are golden! Thank you sooo very much! I love your teaching style!
Thanks great video i started out with a gold tone ob250 because i found it for an amzing deal and boy am i ever glad i spent the money! I will have it for life. I also have a deering goodtime americana that i just took travelling for a year and i love it! I took a beating and still sounds amazing and it was a very reasonable price. With the help of your videos, I've learned clawhammer and am progressing nicely. Im very greatful for your videos theyre so helpful!
Bought a Harley Benton 35 Pro, because quite frankly I had no idea if I'd ever learn to play at a level I'd enjoy. A year later I found a used Epiphone MB-100 that was more or less an even swap after selling my starter instrument. The difference in build quality is *HUGE*. However, the ('85 vintage) Epi has a 1 1/8 nut on a narrow C neck. Had I bought the Epi first I might have given up, as I suspect its former owner did. It's coming up on 40 years old with no noticeable wear. Having played a violin many years ago, the skinny neck and narrow string spacing isn't a significant challenge.
I will 100% be looking for a wider banjo then, I have very wide, clumsy fingers and was only just made aware through this video that my countryman beginners banjo has the inch and a quarter nut width. Something to keep in mind!
great video Mandy! i should have watched this prior to my two banjo purchases lol its seems many banjos comes standard with the 1 1/4 nut width? both of mine do. i bought a Deering Americana first and have enjoyed playing it, i heard the Vega Vintage Star and loved the look and dobson tone ring sound so i purchased it. the Vega is higher end and even though i am a beginner the Vega seems much better quality and easier to play. only wish it was as light as the Americana LOL i have fallen in love with the clawhammer banjo and i say buy what you can afford to get started because it is a joy to play! i will say the problem i found with purchases is that most music stores carry very few banjos to try out, if they have any they usually have a resonator. its kinda hard to throw down 700+ on a banjo when you have never touched it or got to strum it.
Amen to all that! I’ve went through about 7 banjos before I found “the one” for me. I would have to purchase it, give it a good try, then sell it before I could afford to get the next, and so on. So you’ve probably seen those videos of me trying out stuff. Haha. So tough when there’s really no where you can try them out. Same here in stores. The Stone banjo is my “it” banjo. Steve custom makes whatever you’d like. And he’s priced lower than any customs I’ve seen and most stock as well for what you are getting. Have fun!
Great advice! I have a tenor guitar with a 30mm (1.18") nut. I find it comparatively difficult to play because the neck is so narrow and the strings are so closely spaced.
I have the fat fingers that you spoke about, so nut size makes sense. Are the makes of banjos that have the wider nuts? I am shopping for a new banjo, so I went back to look at the nut size on my short list and the widest is only 1.25, so now that I have learned what to look for, I need to start the hunt from scratch. This video was very timely a feel very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
What do you think about a Washburn Americana B6 6-string Open-back Banjo? I play guitar and was wanting a good transition and it seemed like that would be. Or am I wasting my time with it? I know nothing about banjos! Thank you for your help
Nut width and fretboard edge margin is BEYOND important playing fingerstyle guitar. I'm looking at banjo now and wondering, who is designing these silly narrow sticks? BS on 'large hands' fallback, if you're playing finger style with or without picks, most guitars available are too narrow. Me looking to have fun in open G on a banjo, if I can find one spending the extra ~$30 on decent width.
How often should strings be changed? I bought a beginner banjo bot I feel the strings getting worn Down after only two months. Is there a good brand you could recommend that ships worldwide? I love your videos 😍
Usually when you buy a new banjo they put the cheapest possible set of strings on it. So I’d put a new set on right away. Then at least twice a year if you don’t play it much, if you play a lot then more often 3 or 4 times a year. Depends on how much you want to have that “new strings” sound. Hmmm I don’t know about shipping worldwide - I’m sorry.
Buying a new banjo in two steps. 1. Decade whether or not you want a long neck Vega. 2. If you decide you do want that Vega, 2a. Buy the Vega. else 2b. Give all your earthly possessions to the poor. Become a Tibetan Buddhist monk.
Hi Mandy! Hope your doing absolutely wonderful. Thank you for this video(I'm late t o supper on this one)I've probably watched this video a dozen times. Currently I'm playing a washburn b7 open back and have been looking for months to upgrade. I've only played a few other banjos. The one I keep going back to is the good time classic. They discontinued this one and replaced it with the artisan goodtime line. It has a 1 3/8" nut but can't find any info on the neck profile. In fact, I've only play 1 deering in my life and can't remember anything about it. I'm really into the more mello and plunky sound. Is there anything in the under $750 range that you recommend for a low intermediate level player? Thank you so much!
Hey - sorry pretty busy. I could do a consult with you if you wanted but I’d charge for my time. I get tons of requests for this and just don’t have the time beyond the videos I put out.
@@BanjoLemonade thank you so much for the reply. Its spring time and things have definitely shifted into high gear so I completely understand. I let my impatience get the best of me and bought the goodtime artisan open back. I'm sure I'll get many miles out of it. @meredithmoon is one of my banjo heroes and if she plays one then that's enough to convince me. Lol. Just wanted to thank you again for making the videos. Your an inspiration.
A very helpful vedio! I'm in the market to upgrade and was wondering if you suggest some with the v neck. I tried one after watching your vedio and what a difference in comfort. Also what do you think of a banjo with a shorter neck. Thanks.
I live in Hawaii and have no place to buy a banjo. I have small hands and am only 5’2” so small arms too do you know of a beginner but decent banjo I could purchase? Under $700 would be best….
Idk about $600 for a banjo but I suppose I oughta take the word of a Southern lady wearing a shirt that says, "chicken whisperer" trying to get a word in edge wise over the cicadas. I think the take away from this video was I am not going to find a banjo that feels right on Ebay unless I know exactly what I'm looking for. My plan is to hit a few pawn shops and music stores to hold it in my hands before deciding how it feels, as well as taking a careful look at the tuners.
The banjo in this video is a Bart Reiter and it’s a 1 1/4 as are all of his. My Pisgah was wider 1.35” (I think). Sold both of those, and now have a Custom Stone with a width of 1.35”. A bunch of builders make wider ones, I know Gold Tone even makes a few of theirs with wider nuts.
That’s completely subjective, so I left it out. My opinion is I prefer an 11” pot because of my torso size. The 12” sounds great but also adds more weight as well.
I went for a Rickard 11” with a Dobson tone ring. The tone ring deepens the smaller pot size.Same decision for me in terms of torso size, It’s just more comfortable. Rickard is a Canadian company and I wanted to buy relatively local,which can be another deciding factor. Thanks!
Nice! Tone ring does not depend on pot size. You can get any number of different tone rings for both pot sizes. But yes, I prefer the 11” for the same reason.
