[Pete B.]

Yeah so, in order to complete my "Authentic Jerry Guy" Trilogy (he-he - I already play guitar and pedal steel), I have been looking into getting a Banjo.
I had borrowed one indefinitely back in like 1982 for like 2 years, but the guy finally asked for it back (go figer?).
I played it in a Bluegrass Band in Montana, called "The Sons o' Bitches" (a name my Mom didn't like for some reason), and we did like the whole OAITW album, NRPS/Dead banjo related tunes, traditional bluegrass numbers, etc.
I never got real good, but it was "fun as hell" as they say.


There is a bunch of inexpensive ones floating around our Craigslist. I went and looked at an Iida 5-string yesterday, but even though it was an unplayable basket case (he didn't tell me that part), he wouldn't part with it for my $50 offer. The case was practically disintegated, and it only had 3 strings on it!?... he wanted $225.

There is a pretty nice Alvarez at the local nice acoustic instrument shop ($550), Pioneer Music. It was very loud and bright. I might go look at it again, as I kinda like the idea of having the support of a quality instument shop tied to the purchase. And Jer and Bob were in the Alvarez acoustic guitar camp for a while there, iirc.

In the mean time, I have a spare acoustic guitar which I pulled the low E and A off of, and replaced the 5th string with a .010, and tuned the whole deal to a 5 string banjo tuning, which, as fate would have it, is not too much different than guitar tuning.
Strings 2,3,4 are exactly the same as guitar, B-G-D... so I can incorporate all of my CAGED knoweldge pretty easily to banjo.
String one is just your normal guitar string one, but tuned down a full step from E to D.
String 5 is the high G.
So I am at least practicing Banjo (on acoustic guitar) here at home, getting my right hand rolls going, etc.

Just curious if there are any other Banjo playin' Jerry Guys on this board.
'Any Banjo purchase advice?

[deadguise]

No but I keep looking at them in my music gear catalogs, I did attempt to play pedal steel long ago...my Dad wanted me to get into something besides heavy metal so he bought me a pedal steel. I foolishly traded it away after a year or so. I still regret it today.

[acidrain30005]

I play but rarely use it live. It's definitely a fun thing to do but it's one tough instrument to master. I got a Hohner that I've had for years. It's pretty good. A little dull sounding but not terrible considering how cheap it was.

Anyway, I'd consider going with that Alvarez. Of course Gibson also has some amazing banjos, although they're really heavy, they sound amazing.

Good luck in the search!

[paulinnc]

I have an Epiphone I got a few years ago. It cost 2-300 bucks and for the price is a decent banjo that sounds ok and looks nice. I haven't really played it much since I started playing electric guitar. I won't sell it though because I think I would regret it after the fact.

[ian]

i received a banjo this past christmas a gift from my wife; i,m still trying to learn. i have an Epiphone MB250 she paid 599 for it, i think that it has a really bright tone and it seems to be made well

[rockstarbobbyw]

I have been playing guitar for about 6 years. I learned by playing "Bobby" parts with a friend of mine who did "Jerry." When I should have been studying through college, we played long sets of just good ol Grateful Dead.

Last year I bought a banjo with the intent learning how to use my right hand better (get your mind out of the gutter!! ). Anyways, I grew up in southern Appalachia and love the old time mountain music. I took a few clawhammer lessons to get a technique down. Admittedly, I still end up playing more guitar than banjo, but lately I am on a banjo kick. I love it, and it's finally starting to sound like a banjo.

My latest project is to get these songs down on banjo:

I've Been All Around This World
Dark Hollow (key change to G)
John Hardy (Tommy Jarrell style, if you haven't found Tommy Jarrell, I strongly recommend...for everyone)
The Race is On
Deep Elem Blues
On the Road Again
Me & My Uncle
Jesse James (classic banjo tune)
Cumberland Blues (sounds awesome on banjo, I just need more practice)
Ripple

All of these songs are relatively easy to play the chords on banjo. With proper finger techniques and practice they can sound really good. There are a ton of resources (rukind being the obvious best). The big question is if you want to play classic bluegrass, Scruggs style or clawhammer. I'm a clawhammer fan and never got into bluegrass, but either way the banjo is a great instrument that isn't quite as hard to get into as one would think. You just have to get over that "hump" like any instrument.

I purchased a kit banjo from a banjo player in Murphy, North Carolina. He put it together, and I paid $300. Sound is great, and I love its simplicity (no resonator or brand name).

This could probably be posted under introduction. I'm 30, currently living in Lawrence, KS and I'm more of a banjo playing Bobby guy . I also think the Grateful Dead are hands down the best and most creative group of musicians to ever play rock n roll, and that is an understatement. Why don't I ever get tired of them?

But to answer your question, If you want bluegrass (like Jerry) buy one with a resonator. But if your more for playing around a campfire I don't think there is a need. The resonator costs more, but they do sound good.

[Tennessee Jedi]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/0 ... index.html

[Pete B.]

[Pete B.]

Here's Steve with Jerry G and John M from NGDB.

[rockstarbobbyw]

Can anybody grin like Garcia?

Do you know the date/location of that picture?

[Pete B.]

I just took delivery of this Banjo! (and I think it's a keeper):

Link to full details (dig those Jerry-esque inlays):
http://www.rondomusic.com/ky21nbanjo.html

[ELPManticore]

Nice choice pete - the clear head threw me off, thought the picture was from the back without a resonator. I've bought a couple basses from Rondo - been incredibly happy, higher quality that what you pay for. Let us know what you think.

Built my own banjer from a kit an old G/F gave me in college. I still play it from time to time, but I never got the real hang of it - tons of fun to mess around though.