[Dixielandjazz] Banjos

[Keith Garner]

Hi Allan and Everyone

Ginny and Phil have already replied in some detail so I'll just limit my 
response to two points:-

Firstly you need to be fairly specific about what sort of music you want to 
play and, if playing with others, how you will want - or be asked - to play 
it. There is a considerable difference for example between the way Roy James 
played with The Acker Bilk Paramount Jazz Band and the way Harper Goff or 
Dick Roberts played with The Firehouse Five - all were playing to get the 
effect required in their circumstances.  So I endorse the comments about 
listening to players and seeing what you like.

Secondly, as a fellow UK member I was surprised by your comment abou their 
being a plethora of banjo shops.  My experience is that there may be a good 
many that stock the odd banjo - some very odd :) - there aren't all that 
many where the staff know anything about banjos. There are honourable 
exceptions of course depending on where you live.  You might have a look at 
www.andybanjo.com - the site has useful information about types of banjo - 
particulary relating to the suitability of different types for different 
uses. Andy sells both new and vintage instruments both to personal callers 
and by mail. You might check out his "Grafton" range - these are budget 
priced new instruments which he puts together from imported components - the 
benefit of these over an imported banjo you might but in a local shop is 
that it will be properly assembled and appropriately set up by someone who 
actually plays banjo. I must add that I have no connection with this site 
other than as a satisfied customer.

Regards
Keith Garner
www.jazzpzazz.co.uk



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allan Brown" <allanbrown at dsl.pipex.com>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:19 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Banjos


>I bought a ukulele a few months ago  ......
>
> I'm based in the UK and there appear to be a plethora of banjo shops - do 
> any of you have any suggestions as to what is a reasonable make of banjo 
> for a beginner. That said, I'd probably prefer to invest in something 
> that'll serve me in the longer term and has the potential of sounding half 
> way decent should I ever get any good on it.
>
> Any help or advice greatly appreciated.
>
> Allan Brown
>
> (P.S. I'm a lefty.)
> _______________________________________________
>