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<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Hi
Skip,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>I'm here,
but:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>1) I don't play
5-string, and </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>2) I'm no expert
on makes and models, new or used.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>As someone
pointed out, make sure you really want a 5-string, because they're generally not
used for playing jazz, but rather bluegrass or country
western.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Actually I am
also looking for a good 5-string banjo, new or used, for about $600, for a
customer here in Israel. I'm going to Los Angeles in a couple weeks and will
search my usual haunts there. Last time I looked, I was impressed with the
Deering Good Time banjo line for new banjos starting at a few hundred $$$
(without a case!).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Some things I
would look for (maybe some list veterans could help us out
here):</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* 3/4 inch
hard-wood rim (body). I don't like metal body banjos, and some used ones might
have thinner, lighter wood bodies. For my taste, they're too flimsy and don't
sound as good, but they are lighter in weight.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* brass tone
ring</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* 2 coordinator
rods (as opposed to just one, inside the body, to hold the neck in
place)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* check the frets
on used banjos to make sure they're not worn down, especially the most used ones
near the peg-head end of the neck.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* make sure the
tuning pegs are easy to turn and do not slip.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* check metal
parts for corrosion</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* check that the
head is not overstretched or otherwise worn out. 5-string players like frosted
heads, so I'm told. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* IMPORTANT:
Check that the neck is straight. Do this by looking down the neck as though you
were aiming a rifle at something. You'll be able to see if there is a
significant bend in the neck. Another indication of trouble is if the strings
are too high over the fingerboard.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* Banjos come
with or without resonators (backs) Some are designed to be open-back and others
just have had the resonator taken off. Open back banjos usually do not have a
flange, which is the metal piece around the body that holds the resonator in
place. A banjo with a flange and no resonator looks a little funny and can be
uncomfortable.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Brand
names:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* I have 2
Gibsons, one a 1926 Mastertone. I like them. New ones are pricey
though.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* Deering is a
respectable name</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* Anyone tried a
Sullivan banjo (made by Bill Sullivan of First Quality Musical Supplies)?
They're not cheap, but they run about half the price of a comparable Gibson, and
I'd bet they sound better. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>* There's a
fellow in Prague named Rosta Capek who makes really fine banjos, starting at
around $1100. He's on the net (capekinstruments.com, I think) and he has dealers
in the US. I visited his shop and tried one of his low end models, and it felt
and sounded as good or better than anything I've ever played. He makes more
expensive models, but the main differences are cosmetic.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Well, that's most
of what I know about banjos.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>By the way,
experiment with picks of various hardnesses and materials. The difference in
sound can be dramatic.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Gotta run for
now. Good luck,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Elazar ("Banjo is
my middle name") Brandt<BR></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=890435622-18012003><FONT
size=2>Misrad HaJazz<BR>Doctor Jazz Band</FONT><FONT size=2><BR>Jerusalem,
Israel<BR><www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz><BR>Tel: +972-2-679-2537</FONT>
</DIV></SPAN>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Skipwave@aol.com
[mailto:Skipwave@aol.com]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, 18 January, 2003
16:05<BR><B>To:</B> dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com<BR><B>Subject:</B>
[Dixielandjazz] Banjo recommendations Make and Model, etc.
<BR><BR></FONT></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Arial Black" size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Can anyone on the list, instructors, etc. recommend a
good 5 string banjo for a budding begginner? Actually I played guitar during
some of my mispent youth and have considered buying a banjo and starting some
lessons but would like some opinions on a good manufacturer and what I should
look for, etc. <BR><BR>Elazar are you there?....any suggestions.
</FONT></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>