Right, let's get down to business.....
I hope my posts over the coming months will encourage you to take the plunge and get your hands on a 'Irish' tenor banjo and have many hours of enjoyment learning to play. It will open up your ears to some of the wonderful traditional music we have available to us.
Unless you are lucky enough to know Mr Smith down the road who happens to have an old instrument gathering dust in the attic, it's hand in pocket time! This does not have to be as wallet bashing as you may think. With the aid of the 'interweb' and an hour of your time you can unearth several second hand models. If you need any advice on purchasing second hand, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will try my best to help. If a new instrument takes your fancy, you are spoilt for choice. I have had a look at three music shops in my area (West Yorkshire) and one in Ireland. Prices ranged from £140.00 (how they make one at that price point is beyond me) to around £3000.00 for a custom made model. The quality of decoration does not alter the quality of tone and playability but nine times out of ten you get what you pay for! If it helps (this is a purely personal recommendation), at the cheaper end of the scale I would go for an 'Ashbury' at around £200.00 and is super value for money. For a few bob more, (£500.00 'ish) you can get your hands on a 'Goodtime Special' made by 'Deering' banjos in the US. It is a super piece of kit and worth every penny.
Try and take someone with you on the big day. They do not have to be a banjo specialist but a musician of any discipline will be able to offer a second opinion as to quality of tone etc. Also most of the outlets that I use have a member of staff to give impartial advice and play a tune or two so you get a good idea of the sound quality.
The rest is up to you and your bank manager but I do hope you join the gang!
The following are worth a 'Google'...Hobgoblin Music, The Music Room and Eagle Music...happy shopping. Philip
My details :- 07511 125805, Twitter @zoster1953, email zoster1953@gmail.com
I hope my posts over the coming months will encourage you to take the plunge and get your hands on a 'Irish' tenor banjo and have many hours of enjoyment learning to play. It will open up your ears to some of the wonderful traditional music we have available to us.
Unless you are lucky enough to know Mr Smith down the road who happens to have an old instrument gathering dust in the attic, it's hand in pocket time! This does not have to be as wallet bashing as you may think. With the aid of the 'interweb' and an hour of your time you can unearth several second hand models. If you need any advice on purchasing second hand, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will try my best to help. If a new instrument takes your fancy, you are spoilt for choice. I have had a look at three music shops in my area (West Yorkshire) and one in Ireland. Prices ranged from £140.00 (how they make one at that price point is beyond me) to around £3000.00 for a custom made model. The quality of decoration does not alter the quality of tone and playability but nine times out of ten you get what you pay for! If it helps (this is a purely personal recommendation), at the cheaper end of the scale I would go for an 'Ashbury' at around £200.00 and is super value for money. For a few bob more, (£500.00 'ish) you can get your hands on a 'Goodtime Special' made by 'Deering' banjos in the US. It is a super piece of kit and worth every penny.
Try and take someone with you on the big day. They do not have to be a banjo specialist but a musician of any discipline will be able to offer a second opinion as to quality of tone etc. Also most of the outlets that I use have a member of staff to give impartial advice and play a tune or two so you get a good idea of the sound quality.
The rest is up to you and your bank manager but I do hope you join the gang!
The following are worth a 'Google'...Hobgoblin Music, The Music Room and Eagle Music...happy shopping. Philip
My details :- 07511 125805, Twitter @zoster1953, email zoster1953@gmail.com
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