[Dixielandjazz] Banjos

[Allan Brown]

Hi Keith,

I imagine you're absolutely right about shops that stock the odd banjo, as opposed to specialist banjo shops, however I wrote that having discovered www.andybanjo.com and that is certainly where I'll go once I'm ready to make the leap.

Many thanks.

Allan
On 29 Jan 2010, at 02:46, Keith Garner wrote:

> 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.)
>> _______________________________________________
>