On a happier note: Buying a Banjo (I think)

Grizzly · Aug 15, 2011

So the missus and I have known for a while that I would be getting a banjo once I'd done with the beginner stuff. I had an older POS banjo that I'd inherited, and a friend who owns a music store gave me a really decent loaner for the first year. He knew I'd be back.
 
So I went yesterday and couldn't make a decision, and now have a Deering Vega Senator open back 5 string staring at me when I enter our living room. 
 
Gack! It's a beautiful banjo, but like all finnicky instruments (pianos, harps, etc.) will need some set-up if I do buy it. The bridge will have to be changed, it needs a 5th string capo and likely a raise in the 5th string level. 
 
I find it to be very LOUD, as it has a tone ring, and that is a bit disconcerting because I can hear all my mistakes twice as loud. The tone on it needs to settle in as well, or break in, I dunno the term for it, it needs to be a little rounder. Still it has a lot of potential.
 
I tried a few others but this was the best there. I guess that the week is to get the feel for it. 
 
It really is a professional grade banjo, gets great reviews. Still owning a good instrument is a responsibility. I feel the need to live up to the instrument! That won't be a burden as I love playing - even if I'm not good at it yet. Still... it is staring at me when I enter our living room.
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/92577/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="vs-5_700-280.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17580" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17580/width/163/height/500" style="; width: 163px; height: 500px"></a>

satfix · Aug 15, 2011

Nice!
 
You play frailing style correct? I've been having a big itch to find a 5 string banjo again as well. Ages ago, I had one and played bluegrass style - I occasionally go online to craigslist looking but haven't found one yet.
 
Congrats on your new banjo!!!
 
color me jealous....

Grizzly · Aug 15, 2011

Potential. Potential...
 
Yes. I do play frailing, drop-thumb, clawhammer, oldtimey, whatever you want to call it. I enjoy the style and I have been having fun with it. Keep looking, there's one out there with your name on it.

RaisingArizonainNH · Aug 16, 2011

First off if it is staring at you- you need to cover it's eyes...
 
 You'll be an expert in no time I kind of have a feeling !
 
 I noticed this web site that my husband is subscribed to and thought you might like it - <a href="http://www.banjohangout.org/lists/email.asp?id=248" target="_blank">http://www.banjohangout.org/lists/email.asp?id=248</a>. They have an 
 They have a news letter via email you can sign up for as well.

Grizzly · Aug 17, 2011

Saw my friend and teacher tonight and he told me that this is a keeper. We fiddled with it a bit, loosened the tension on the head and measured this, measured that, played and hearing it in his hands I like what I hear. I even like what I hear in my hands... so off to buy it.
 
He just sold an older version Vega 2, and said that it been a Senator instead he wouldn't have sold it. Meh, he has 9 banjos, I'm not going to feel sorry for him.
 
Also... eeenteresting news. I'm going to be his special guest at his fall concert, sing 3-4 songs and do an encore with him. Gulp. Likely not playing banjo though

Buxtehude · Aug 30, 2011

It's alright, I guess.

Grizzly · Aug 30, 2011

Who are you again? <img alt="razz.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/razz.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;">

Buxtehude · Aug 31, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Grizzly <a href="/t/74882/on-a-happier-note-buying-a-banjo-i-think#post_2011746"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> Who are you again? <img alt="razz.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/razz.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;">
 
 
</div>
</div>
 
Who am I?
 
I'm your wurst nightmare.
 
That's who.

Grizzly · Aug 31, 2011

Not by a long shot. Nice to see you again.
 
Back to the topic: I rally like this instrument, it is responsive and has a wonderful sound. I have to do some more set up work in a bit - intonation is fine open strings and on the 12th fret but a bit bent out of shape in between. Need to have the strings lowered a bit and get a special bridge. I will also bring it in shortly to have a 5th string capo installed and have it restrung with different gauge stings.
 
I'm also "taking leads", learning how to play the melody so that on songs I can accompany myself and then take the break to make things interesting rather than just doing chords. Sounds simple to the musical folks, but I have never really been able to figure it out on other insturments.

Mrtambalynman · Aug 31, 2011

This is cool. I wish I was musical - I keep seeing guitars and imagine myself buying one and learning. Ha, like I have the time. I think I'll try to focus on learning to swim or learning French. 
 
My neighbour has a recording studio and showed me his guitar/banjo collection. The banjos were made by his grandfather - I don't know if he plays them, I think its more the connection to his past.

On a happier note: Buying a Banjo (I think)

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