|
Is there any risk buying second hand? I am going to start learning banjo and I've spotted a Deering Goodtime Special for $800 (slightly cheaper than a basic open back Goodtime in Australia, they're so expensive...) but I don't want it to be beyond my ability to tune and set up. It looks absolutely brand new and has been sitting in a cupboard for a couple of years, but I don't know what a couple of years does to a banjo.
|
#
¿
Dec 10, 2017 14:51
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 15, 2024 17:33 |
|
|
Brinx posted:Probably not. They're pretty hardy instruments. As long as there isn't obvious damage (cracks etc.). Check the neck is straight and nothing looks warped or bent, nothing rattles and the head feels uniformly tight when you press on it with your thumb. Yeah the banjo has only been played a few times (and it looks it, it's basically brand new) I was just wondering if it sitting in the cupboard for years might have meant a headache for me. Sounds like this is going to be a smart way to go since it's a good quality instrument for close to half what they sell for new in Aus. I'll be buying it in person, so here we go. I figure I'm better of buying a better quality instrument with a resonator now, rather than paying 300-400 and having to do it in the future anyway.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 11, 2017 00:01
|
|
|
OK I did it. Any recommendations on beginners books or online lessons? I play classical, Irish folk and Gypsy violin so I can read music pretty well, but I don't want to kick off a new instrument ingraining lovely habits. I'm also not that inclined to get lessons since they're expensive and I feel confident I can manage on my own if I've got some good material to teach myself with. I want to play bluegrass on this baby.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 11, 2017 01:44
|
|
|
Coohoolin posted:Did you get a 5-string or tenor? If tenor, Gerry O'Connor has a good book on Irish banjo that might be a good starting point for anything. 5-string. I want to play bluegrass mainly and I'm sort of teaching myself some songs on the violin. I was listening to heaps of Steep Canyon Rangers and my eye started twitching like "buy a banjo, you have to buy a banjo, buy it now, buy it now".
|
|
#
¿
Dec 11, 2017 23:14
|
|
|
I definitely need new strings. These are out of tune almost the instant I get them going. They've been sitting in the banjo for three years so I will give it a restring tonight. I've been listening to lots of Steve Martin's stuff in the car due to being a massive Steve Martin fan, but all his songs are lots of fun to listen to and the albums with Edie Brickell are great too. One of my favourite bands is Graveyard Train who are "horror country" but I like anything with a somewhat foreboding country or bluegrass sound. I think I'm going to get Martin's The Crow songbook. If I'm totally honest I'm going to sit at home and learn Cripple Creek...
|
|
#
¿
Dec 12, 2017 23:21
|
|