Which Banjo?

[Ripster]

Hello,
I am getting started in learning to play the banjo. As a matter of fact,
it's the first intrument that I am learning to play. However, which brand
for a begginer is a good one (one that isn't too expensive). I have
available at local music stores one called a 'Fida'. Is this an o.k. brand?

Also, any suggestions on books I should look into to learn how to play?

Thanks in Advance
G.Ripley

[DrHorshair]

G Ripley,

Here is some helpful info. First, there are two typs of banjo picking that is
popular today, Bluegrass and clawhammer. You must determin which one you want
to play then choose your instrument. They use two different styles of 5-string
banjos, made different and they sound different. Bluegrass is picked with the
fingers using fingerpicks and is "bright" in tone. Beginning Jap banjos run
about $300 are useless after you learn because they have no tone and are harder
to play. Good bluegrass banjos can be expected to cost $1400 to 2000 for
starts. They go higher after that. Bluefrass was invented in the 1940's

Clawhammer banjo is played with the back of the fingernail, knocking down and
with the thumb. This is the style the black man taught the white man in the
1830's. It was the style played by the Civial War soldiers, the cowboys, and
the folks in the Appalachian Mountains. The banjos run less money than
bluegrass and a good one can be had for $600 to $1500. It is also an easier
style to learn.

There is a little background to get started on. Most of the cheaper banjos in
the music stores are made in Japan and are not very good, but then you arn't
loosing much if you don't like it. Jap banjos will resale for about half
price. American banjos will usually hold their value or increase in value. I
build clawhammer banjos and have a new model for $550. The bluegrass abnjos I
buils start at $2000. Let me know if I can be of any more help with info.

Bob Flesher

[LABourdillon]

Perhaps you mean "Aida" - the "A" does look like an "F". Anyway, that's
the brand of my present banjo. Has a resonator, clean inlaid neck, seems
reasonably well constructed, and gives a very nice bell-like tone. They're
made in Korea or Japan depending upon the model and when it was
manufactured. The model I have (230) retailed for about $600 but I got it
for just under $400 (closeout type sale). I'd imagine that you'd be able to
find something similar.

...larry

Ripster wrote in message <7i84d9$3eb$1...@news.ispn.net>...

[Fred Dennis]

I used to work with a brand "Iida" which was comparable to Ibanez, Aria,
Alvarez, and others. The better ($400+) instruments were of the typical
Japanese RB-250 and RB-800 design right down to the plated brass tone
rings. Cheaper ones had scalloped aluminum pots with poor necks. Dull
tone and difficult to fret boards are the earmarks. The top end models
had decent tone, were well carfted and often ornate. The Fender Leo and
Epiphone's Masterbuilt MB-250 fit the mold. Some studio musician was
recently selling on Ebay a vintage Ome or Ode like Bobby Thompson used
to play on Hee Haw. and at a decent price. You should look for banjos
like that or perhaps a used Deering or Stelling. I don't know if Ome is
still making banjos in Colorado or not. I think Ty Piper's Imperial
(out of Oklahoma) in out of business since I can't turn up anything on
them on the net. Good luck.

[Brittles]

Fred Dennis <zar...@alt.net> wrote:

>>Some studio musician was
recently selling on Ebay a vintage Ome or Ode like Bobby Thompson used
to play on Hee Haw. and at a decent price. <<

Would you happen to have the site for this? or the fellow's e-mail address?
Thanks.

>> I don't know if Ome is
still making banjos in Colorado or not. <<

Try: <www.omebanjos.com>

Ed Britt
Brit...@aol.com

[fib]

if it says "made in japan" and looks like a banjo... run like hell!
look for an rb-100 made by gibson. it doesn't have to be new, in fact, it'll
probably sound better if it isn't.

Ripster wrote:

> Hello,
> I am getting started in learning to play the banjo. As a matter of fact,
> it's the first intrument that I am learning to play. However, which brand
> for a begginer is a good one (one that isn't too expensive). I have
> available at local music stores one called a 'Fida'. Is this an o.k. brand?
>
> Also, any suggestions on books I should look into to learn how to play?
>

> Thanks in Advance
> G.Ripley

[Jeremy Cole]

[orn...@pophost.micron.net]

Hey Ripster,

I am glad to see you are interested in banjo pickin. I started at age 32 and
have found it to be a wonderfull experience and a great stress reliever. I
started with a Japenese model (Hohner) that was poorly made and it was hard to
play. I then purchased a new Deering Deluxe Black Diamond (five string
resonator) that I love and was lucky to find for $1400 with a Delta Case. I
then had back surgery and could not hold up the heavy banjo, so I purchased a
Deering Goodtime open back 5 string with a case for $295 (the Goodtime weighs
about 4 pounds). This banjo is not only lightweight and fun to play, but has a
wonderful mellow tone which might be easier on the ears for the beginner. Now
that my back is strong enough to hold my heavy banjo, I find myself playing my
Goodtime when I am outside with the kids in the yard and when I go fishing and
camping. I think that the Goodtime would be a great starter banjo (granted they
are not as pretty as the El Cheapo Jap models) and then when you got better and
wanted to put down some serious cash for a more expensive model (and the
American brands ARE worth it) you can always have your Goodtime to go fishing or
camping with. When you have a $2500 + banjo it is nice to have another
lightweight 'beater' banjo. I hope this helps.

I don't post on this site very often, but use it as an excellent resource. I
would like to thank everyone for the time they take to make this a very
proffessional and informative newsgroup.

D. Ryan
Boise, Id

[darrylm]

Don't totally discredit Japanese banjos. Gold Stars were made in Japan. Most
have excellent workmanship, and they generally sound as good or better than
many Mastertone-style banjos made in the USA. I've seen used ones selling
for $600 and up.

fib wrote in message <374A2E24...@hahahotmail.com>...

>if it says "made in japan" and looks like a banjo... run like hell!
>look for an rb-100 made by gibson. it doesn't have to be new, in fact,
it'll
>probably sound better if it isn't.
>
>
>

[WhyteLaydi]

>Hello,
>I am getting started in learning to play the >banjo.--snip--

> I have
>available at local music stores one called a >'Fida'.

This is frankly too funny for words! I have seen, including this one, THREE
different postings on this board with the name IIDA (that's right, with two
"I's", as in "eyes") spelled wrong! Now, don't you think that the company would
have heard some of this, and decided to change the name to Jida or Fida or Nida
or anything-else-ida, for crying out loud?!

Who ever heard of two "I's" in a row, anyway?

-Adam

O--*-~ (<<<it's a banjo, ain't it cute?!)

[Ripster]

Wow..that explains why I couldn't find any info about it in the search
engines! Thanks! I still think mine says Fida....well, maybe Jida <g>.
RipsTer

WhyteLaydi <whyte...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990601165510...@ng-ca1.aol.com...

[Daxe Rexford]

WhyteLaydi <whyte...@aol.com> wrote

> Who ever heard of two "I's" in a row, anyway?

Anyone who has ever been to Hawaii for starters...

~daxe