jmabrey104 - Posted - 02/15/2011:  21:49:14

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Well they finally tagged me and I leave in a month. Trouble is I can't stand the idea of a year over there without a banjo of some kind. I certainly do not want to take any of the banjos I currently own no matter how humble they may be. I guess what I am looking for is something I can have shipped to me (can't take it with me) that can withstand the shipping as well as life in extreme temperature shifts. Oh....and it can't cost too terribly much as I kind of expect it not survive a year in the war zone. Any suggestions on a cheap (<$500) banjo that may be able to take the punishment of living in a tent with the heat, cold, dust, and occasional mortar round? I know I am asking for a lot but I know there are some that may take the abuse better than others.

JoeFriday157 - Posted - 02/15/2011:  21:55:58

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In my novice expertise, I would think something with an aluminum pot, and maybe throw a used Gold Tone graphite neck on it if you can find one for less than retail. Otherwise, the neck already blows your budget...

The aluminum should stand up to a lot, and a graphite neck should be able to as well. At least better than wood under the environment you're talking about. The more man-made the better I would think. Not so much for the tone, but for durability and something to get you through...

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Edited by - JoeFriday157 on 02/15/2011 22:02:35

JoeFriday157 - Posted - 02/15/2011:  22:08:18

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Just looked at a couple other sites and you can actually get the graphite neck in the high $300's. You should certainly be able to find an inexpensive aluminum pot for around $100 or so. So that's pretty close as long as someone can marry the two together for you rather inexpensively. I'd keep some extra heads and strings on hand to be on the safe side...

Tcross - Posted - 02/16/2011:  00:21:11

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I have a cheap Bean Blossom 5 sting that I took to Afghanistan with me and it worked out well. I work on Ramstein one of the jump points and have meet a few guys passing through with good times banjo that they took down range with them. If you need anything sent to you let me know MPS mail is free. tc

XXXris - Posted - 02/16/2011:  05:16:10

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Off topic, but everyone here wishes you the best.

ukd73 - Posted - 02/16/2011:  05:30:32

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I have an aluminum pot banjo with a mahogany neck that needs needs tuners and tail piece I 'd sell it for 80 it needs cleaning been sitting along time in a closet. it is a kit banjo has a built it arch top ring.

sdfarris - Posted - 02/16/2011:  07:17:38

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Amazon is selling Gold Tone Tranjo travel banjos for $538. They don't have any in stock right now but they do ship to APO addresses.

amazon.com/Gold-Tone-Tranjo-Tr...94&sr=8-1

mhickler - Posted - 02/16/2011:  08:23:16

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I took a banjo to Afghanistan in 1969 when I was an exchange student with AFS. These were the golden years for Afghanistan when there was still a middle class (similar to the movie Kite Runner) before the Soviet invasion. I stayed with an Afghan family. Their favorite song was Black Eyed Susie.

But I digress. I invented the bucket lid banjo for a DC inner city banjo program in a public school. (facebook.com/album.php?aid=593...870865707). They ended up buying banjos, but I was trying to create a playable instrument on the cheap. It is a short scale with a bucket lid for the head. It is quiet and a lot of fun to play. You can take it apart and fit it in a carry-on.

Afghanistan is dear to my heart, so if you are interested in this instrument, contact me and we can work something out.

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Edited by - mhickler on 02/16/2011 08:24:37

xixiant - Posted - 02/16/2011:  08:31:54

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Being able to move it around a bunch might not be a consideration for you, but I'd consider the Saga Travel Pony banjo if I had to move around a lot. It's not even $300, new:

instrumentalley.com/ProductDet...&click=35

I have the adult-size Saga SS-10 and am nuts about it. Not sure how it'd do for bluegrass, but it's great for clawhammer and fingerpicking.

Good luck, and stay safe.

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 02/16/2011:  09:32:45

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I have an aluminum-rim (not bottlecap)Asian no-name banjo into whoch I've put all the work I want to. It has upgraded tuners and tailpiece, bridge, strings, set-up- the whole deal. It plays just fine. I'd like to get back the $100 I have in it (well, actually more than that in it, but I'll take the $100- the mrs wants me to pare down my instrument inventory). I'd expect it would work out fine for your purposes, and if something happened to it, not a tremendous loss.

KerryB - Posted - 02/16/2011:  13:10:09

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THANKS! For your service!

mrussell - Posted - 02/17/2011:  05:53:45

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My banjo survived Iraq, so they are tougher than you think. Have you looked at the Gold Tone Plucky. It takes a bit to get used to playing the shorter neck, but it is well built and mine has survived several two week backpacking trips. Its also short enough to strap it to the outside of your ruck. Derring's basic goodtime banjo is also a tough, well built banjo.

Mike

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Edited by - mrussell on 02/17/2011 05:54:58

bellflower - Posted - 02/18/2011:  05:41:19

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quote:

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Originally posted by mhickler

...

But I digress. I invented the bucket lid banjo for a DC inner city banjo program in a public school. (facebook.com/album.php?aid=593...870865707). They ended up buying banjos, but I was trying to create a playable instrument on the cheap. It is a short scale with a bucket lid for the head. It is quiet and a lot of fun to play. You can take it apart and fit it in a carry-on.

...

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Off topic: way cool school program!!

Sandy

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 02/18/2011:  09:15:09

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Thanks for your service. JMabrey and TCross. My son went to Afghan as a volunteer when he graduated from Navy Intel School.

BTW, that spare Asian aluminum rim banjo I had has been sold as of today.

Majorbanjo - Posted - 02/18/2011:  15:49:57

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I took my goodtime open back to Iraq; Afghanistan and Kuwait.........it has spent a total of 3 years and 6 months in that theater......and I still play it quite often......

The initial push into Iraq in OIF 1 was probably the hardest on it........we didn't have any air conditioning anywhere the whole summer; the banjo got so hot I couldn't touch it during the day.....

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Edited by - Majorbanjo on 02/18/2011 15:53:39

kabulrocks - Posted - 02/18/2011:  15:53:59

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Greetings James! I'm heading back to Afghanistan for my second deployment in late spring 2011. I recently found a used Rover RB-20 5-string open back in a local pawn shop. Bought it and had it set-up at a local store, and I'm going to take it with me this time. The RB-20 is one to take a look at, it's not too expensive brand new, and has an aluminum rim. It doesn't ring as good as my nice Ridge resonator, but it is very light and easy to pack. It will be great for jamming and trying to learn more about playing. I just returned from a 3 week event at FT Hood, TX, and the Rover went with me. We need to try to do some playing in-country! Look for a PM from me.
BTW, I plan to have mine mailed to me, and I bought a Mike's Mute for it too.
Thanks,
Todd

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Edited by - kabulrocks on 02/18/2011 15:58:47

5-stringreiny - Posted - 02/18/2011:  16:40:26

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quote:

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Originally posted by mrussell

My banjo survived Iraq, so they are tougher than you think....

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I concur with Mike -- I took a Gold Star to Iraq and although it came back totally dusty, it performed fine and did great in highly varied temperatures holding a great sound throughout... Morgan Monroe offer a few models within your price range that would likely perform well and "survive" if you're headed to a COP... Good luck, and maybe see you there - JR

Mike Casey - Posted - 02/18/2011:  17:46:40

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I think the Deering Goodtime might work well and they are reasonably priced. By the way. I was in Vietnam with my old el cheapo Harmony and it survived OK. God bless and God speed. Take care.

jmabrey104 - Posted - 02/20/2011:  22:11:55

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Thank you all for your replies. Things are getting hectic and I haven't been able to log on as much. I like the idea of a cheap asian aluminum rimmed job. I'm afraid the graphite neck may be out of budget as I wouldn't know where to begin as far as mating it to a pot. At worst I may just order a goodtime or one of those Saga models. Heck...I may just pass it off once its time to go. Or better yet....pass to an Afghani and see whats happens. :)

Iderhobanjer23 - Posted - 02/21/2011:  13:40:09

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Majorbanjo as always with the impressive advice!

I've been wondering the same thing, actually. I'm in Iraq so it's not as bad. I miss my banjer :(

fuzzyacg - Posted - 02/21/2011:  16:23:01

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I have a morgan monroe travel banjo TB-10, aside from the crappy tuners it came with its reliable and tough. Its been stolen, beaten and recovered from a pawn shop. I play it an an A scale in my work vehicle. its got a truss rod and a coordinator rod. My wife got me a Goodtime when the travel got stolen, but now that I have the travel back I play with that most of the time again. It comes with a gig bag thats OK, not the best but does the job. At one $220 it doesn't much matter if it gets beat. instrumentalley.com/Morgan-Mon...-tb10.htm

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Edited by - fuzzyacg on 02/21/2011 16:24:51