[Dixielandjazz] Buying Banjos

[dhs at ev1.net]

Dear Listers:

I have done a study of banjos on behalf of the Chaparral Dixielanders, the
novice band in Round Rock, TX.   Happily, in April, 2002 we found a banjoist
with a banjo attached.  Shand Walton does a great job for us, and ended our
search for a chord player.  Before Shand came on board, we thought we might
have to purchase a 6-string banjo and hand it to a guitar player to get the
banjo-tuba rhythm sound we wanted.

At budget prices, there are three levels of instruments available: bargain
basement, somewhat better quality, and somewhat better than that.  The
brands represented offer a variety of banjos, so you can find a 5-string or
banjolin along with the 6-string models I was looking for.

The bottom stratum is represented by Tyler Mountain.  These are Korean
instruments, and they are inexpensive as banjos go.  They are readily
available on the Internet at drclucks.com, and a number of other websites.
I have been warned by knowledgeable players that while they are real banjos
and will perform up to a point, I am likely to find their sound
disappointing.  The 6-string model was about $235 plus shipping at drclucks.

The next level is represented by Gold Tone, which are instruments of
American design and assembly, but with many Asian parts in them.  Gold Tone
has its own website, and has dealers around the country.  A good friend (and
good banjo player) is a Gold Tone dealer, and he likes them, thinks they
offer good sound for the money.  The GT-500 goes for about $600.

The level above that is represented by Deering, which offers American-built
banjos.  Their 6-string models begin at about $1100.  These three
manufacturers are offered as examples only.  There are many low-cost banjo
brands, many of them Asian.  At the upper level, the sky is the limit, both
in quality and in price.  That's pretty much like any type of musical
instrument.  Try buying a new tuba sometime.  The most expensive ones can
run upwards of $10,000!

Regards,
Dave "Your performance may vary" Stoddard
Round Rock, TX