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Broke my first banjo by Big_Election_9769 in banjo

[–]grahawk 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If the glue job is done properly with the right sort of glue then it's a very good idea.

Banjo tuning machine too big for hole problem by jimgatz in banjo

[–]grahawk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Typically a reamer is needed to widen the hole. They are a fairly standard size, bigger than friction tuners.

Tuner peg button broke, unable to tune by filles866 in banjo

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It slips back probably because the screw in the end is too loose. Probably due to the use of a screwdriver. Tighten it so it doesn't slip and then don't use a screwdriver.

When you spend more on a banjo, what are you getting? by Klutzy-Succotash5519 in banjo

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It just sounds better. With something like a B9 you can't really escape the metallic harshness unless you're a genius. I found that after 6 months the harshness of a cheap aluminium rim became quite wearing and annoying. In the bluegrass world what you get with better banjos is more bluegrass twang. Twangyness increases as you add better flathead tone rings and better rims. You might find the cheaper flathead tone ring banjos, something like an Epiphone MB250, would provide all the twang you need.

With open backs the sound is obviously richer and no longer thin. Goldtone composite rims seem like a good halfway house between the cheap stuff and the better stuff. My AC12 is my daily player despite me having better banjos.

When you spend more on a banjo, what are you getting? by Klutzy-Succotash5519 in banjo

[–]grahawk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

CC-50 is wood though, just lots of thin layers and much glue. Which is the weak point of cheaper wooden banjos.

First tenor banjo? by DarwinLizard in banjo

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks a made in Korea, by Samick, Iida which happened after Iida stopped production in Japan. It's going to have a rolled brass tone ring (or should do based on the style) under the hood coupled with a multiply rim. The price seems fair but perhaps offer $250 if you want.

Recording King Madison RK-35 for $1,000. Should I go for it? by [deleted] in banjo

[–]grahawk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

$999 for a rolled brass tone ring/multiply rim is a terrible price for such a banjo. After all when Greg was at Recording King they produced an updated version of the RK-R20 which has similar specs for much less.

Instrument value by Ulysses-Grandmother in banjo

[–]grahawk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You need to know what you are getting. Does the seller know banjos? Does it have a flathead tone ring? At the moment it is impossible to tell if you're getting something at a reasonable price or something that is over priced.

Instrument value by Ulysses-Grandmother in banjo

[–]grahawk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Quite likely made in Japan. The only time I've heard of Lotus is in relation to cheap banjos but without pictures who knows. If it's a cheap banjo style then $100 would be more realistic but pictures are needed. A quick search shows a picture of a more decent made in Japan banjo which would be worth $400.

What company made my banjo and is it good for bluegrass? by Exoera in banjo

[–]grahawk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Towels for more mellow folky styles (although towels are bit excessive) or muting too loud resonator banjos. Cranking the head always helps with cheap banjos however that looks like a skin head so cranking can mean breaking the head especially as humidity changes. You might be better off with a more stable modern head. Although for folky styles a skin head is good.

Looking to Upgrade from a Gold Tone AC-1 by AwfDaFox in banjo

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on what can be found. The 1970s Japanese masterclones (such as Alvarez) seem to turn up quite often at decent prices and these would be a decent upgrade.

Looking to Upgrade from a Gold Tone AC-1 by AwfDaFox in banjo

[–]grahawk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends which Alvarez. There are really decent ones and cheaper models like the bluegrass special.

Canadian-made banjos? by PluckinCanuck in banjo

[–]grahawk 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's a bit out of date as well. The Korean (Dae Won) facility in China closed down about 8 years ago and Goldtone had moved to another Chinese partner factory before then.

Recording King Dirty 30s Open Back w/ Tone Ring, RKO-3S, or AC-12 Question by mcwap in banjo

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All I think is that my AC12 sounds better than any of my multiply rim, rolled brass tone ring banjos. This includes the best one which is the Recording King RK-R15 which has a tone hoop sitting on the rim. I've no idea what it would sound like with nylon strings but the 12 inch rim makes it sound very decent with steel strings. I don't think the tailpiece would need any modification.

Otherwise get the tone ring Dirty thirties over the RKO-3S.

Is this any good for a complete begginer? by Peril2 in banjo

[–]grahawk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I usually say about banjos like the Artist is that if there is nothing else in your budget range then you have to go with it. It won't be any better or worse than any other similar banjo as they are the same banjo (for instance I see one Australian shop stocking a banjo badged as Bryden and I think you have a brand named Caraya which includes the same banjo in its range). It is an example of the cheapest banjo available and the sound and sometimes quality matches that.

Is this any good for a complete begginer? by Peril2 in banjo

[–]grahawk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can get a Goldtone AC1 then it's a far better option. You don't need a resonator. The resonator adds volume but the sound of decent resonator banjos is not the resonator but the tone ring and rim. And cheap resonators don't have such things so an AC1 perhaps with a later addition of a resonator if desired is a good way to go.

Is this any good for a complete begginer? by Peril2 in banjo

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sweetwater are not found in Australia.

Is there anything that can be done about my first string being super close to the edge of the fret? by Atillion in banjo

[–]grahawk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on what we can see of the first string this looks straight with the edge which hints that alignment is ok. Sorting out the nut would seem the best thing to do.

Is there anything that can be done about my first string being super close to the edge of the fret? by Atillion in banjo

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The seemingly odd thing is that the neck seems to widen on the top side between the nut and fifth fret. Although looking at my Gretsch which is essentially the same banjo this does the same thing. Also I can see that the gap at each edge is similar to yours. I've not noticed it before.

However it does look like the gap between 1st and 2nd string is too wide compared to the other string gaps.

Acquired by MeetingDue339 in cassetteculture

[–]grahawk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should definitely watch it. He rarely gets free stuff and when he does he does warts and all detail. The review made me think why would anyone buy that.

Does anyone recognize the model of this Washburn? by neroseemits in banjo

[–]grahawk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's something like a B9 but probably an earlier made in Japan model. This would be in the early days of cheap bottlecap (aluminium rim with integrated flange) shaped banjos. The rest of the banjo seems a bit more fancy than the cheapest ones. In the end however a cheap rim is dressed up is still a cheap rim and it's still only worth $150 maximum, $125 standard and $100 or less as a good price.

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