Hammerknocker - Posted - 03/28/2011:  14:07:58

Played on a Gold Tone OT-800LN last week at our weekly jam. Gotta say I was very impressed with that banjo. They do a great job on building that thing. I really like the sound of E tuning on the long neck but that neck is LOOOOONG!

derwood400 - Posted - 03/28/2011:  15:29:35

I'd kind of like to try one out too. Not necessarily a Gold Tone, but a long neck. I like the idea of the E tuning as well. Glad you liked it.

Paul R - Posted - 03/28/2011:  16:30:11

People have commented on the issue of reach and stamina (reach that far for that long and it's a stretch in more ways than one). Most times you look, you see a capo in use. Did you play without a capo for any long? (Pun intended.) Did you feel it? (Pun intended there, too.) I keep thinking it's like holding a book in your hand with your arm straight out from your body. I wouldn't be able to do that for long.

Sounds like it could be fun for a while, though.

I'm also thinking that it might sound good with a large pot, twelve inches or even more, to pick up the bass notes.

Helix - Posted - 03/29/2011:  05:06:41

It's like a 12" pot would produce the tubby, but it would not pierce or cut through a guitar clinic (where 7 guitars show up at the jam). they pull like a tractor in E.

Glad you enjoyed the experience. Some people pull the banjo around to the side more, some stand on a chair.

Longnecks rule.

( ))===='=== ::}

Gary Blanchard - Posted - 03/29/2011:  06:57:01

I probably play my long-neck without a capo half of the time I play it. It can be a bit wearing, but I will play a few songs without the capo, capo up for a bit, then go back. I love the sound of the E tuning and it suits my voice for a number of songs.

dgreen20 - Posted - 03/30/2011:  05:00:54

I've had my long neck for about a year now and it's the only banjo for me. My others mostly just sit in the case The more I play without a capo the more I can play without one but still after a 1/2 hour my arm begins to give out but the open E is for me.

dgreen20 - Posted - 03/30/2011:  05:01:54

I've had my long neck for about a year now and it's the only banjo for me. My others mostly just sit in the case The more I play without a capo the more I can play without one but still after a 1/2 hour my arm begins to give out but the open E is for me.

banjered - Posted - 03/30/2011:  07:36:34

For E tuning, I prefer my Tradesman with Minstrel Nylgut -eBEG#B. Banjered

vega long neck - Posted - 03/30/2011:  12:30:02

We did have a pevious thread about this, but it's still fun.

Left to my own I'll play without a capo whenever possible! Been doing that since I go it in about 1964 and I don't have any issues about the neck length. Standing, the pot tends towards the right hip which decreaes the reach. Sitting, the angle of the neck from horizontal has a far greater effect on playing than the length. Heck, it's just a matter of what you're used to.

I think one reason you see the capo on a long neck so often is because when playing with other folks it's easier to use a capo than to know two versions of almost every song you play. When I was performing a lot my back up guys had to play where I wanted to and that was usually in E or A (no capo, lovely growly sound!) due to where my voice was most comfortable. These days I just use a capo to go with the flow. If I go to an OT jam I take a different banjo. When at home, I play the long neck open far more than capoed....... that's why I have the other scale banjos anyway.

Just isn't that big of a deal, really.

Pick and play prettily,
Scott

TonyS - Posted - 03/30/2011:  15:17:54

So now you can all join my Group - Long neck Banjo ;)
I like the different key possibilities, switching easily for me, a beginner (and lazy)

The GT-OT800 LN looks like real quality to me (see the Gold Tone Group!) and I guess I strum 90% open E, 10% F or G. I like it...

As for reach, I used to read about playing with injuries and then I got one! (shoulder, minor) but I saw more info about slinging the pot down by the hip to reduce the reach.
Happy pickin for the greater good - which ever model or style you choose.

ps. please join our LN group ;)

clawforlife - Posted - 03/31/2011:  15:02:17

i love mine, gt ot800 with a whyte ladye. but it is good to have a regular scale banjo to. my longeck was my main banjo for a long time and i love it but im glad i have the option. i carry my banjos around alot, and i dont have any trophys. mine get played and knocked around. the long neck requires a little more babying. i still play it atleast half the time and it would take alot for me to trade/sell it.

Gary Blanchard - Posted - 04/01/2011:  05:50:13

Since about half of the songs I perform take advantage of the open E, there is no sense in my having a regular-scale banjo at this point. I am a bit more cautious with this banjo than I was with my Goodtime, but it still goes to every gig and still hangs on the wall in between times.

Edited by - Gary Blanchard on 04/01/2011 05:50:33