TheYankee_NY - Posted - 03/04/2013:  14:21:25

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Hey, so I'm looking to buy myself a long neck.  I've looked into Jonathan Beyer's banjos, and they seem to be of good quality for the price.  Has anyone bought a banjo from him, specifically the tubaphone model?  Also, do you think it's worth it to spring for the Vega bracket?  Any help would be appreciated!

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 03/04/2013:  15:10:44

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Can't speak from experience, but I know he uses Asian made necks, which is why his banjos are priced as they are. What is your budget?

TheYankee_NY - Posted - 03/04/2013:  15:24:18

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About 1000, maybe 1200. I didn't know he had Asian made necks. Any suggestions?

TheYankee_NY - Posted - 03/04/2013:  15:24:31

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About 1000, maybe 1200. I didn't know he had Asian made necks. Any suggestions?

Helix - Posted - 03/04/2013:  17:21:13

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I play two of them that I have built and use on stage.

It is my humble opinion that a bracket band is a brass rim with a wooden liner, and a big square hole in the rim for the dowel rod. Lack of depth and projection is typical

The Asian necks are green wood with thin inlays that are off center or off the binding, you can play them, I found them thick and chunky. What wood are they anyway?

Whereas Gold Tone has necks available,and complete long necks.

A seven pound longneck is real nice three hours later, just read up, excercise your rights.

I'm glad to confer off forum without sales pressure, just to get you pointed in the right direction. Some of these are like '56 Cadillacs, they are what they are, and always will be, I've seen major players tour with a bracket band and fail to project.

( ))===='===:: }. Long necks rule

. I have $777 & $1000 price points. Made in Arizona

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Edited by - Helix on 03/04/2013 17:24:35

Fathand - Posted - 03/04/2013:  23:41:10

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I have seen open back Gibson long necks for under $1000

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/05/2013:  04:42:28

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In your price range, I'd take a look at Helix or an aluminum ODE or Muse (same banjo under a different name) from the 1960s if you want a banjo that projects. For the classic folk sound and look from the '50s - '60s, a used Vega Pete Seeger will cost 2x your budget if a Martin-Vega, a lot more for a Deering or a vintage Vega PS-5. As you can see by my avatar, I have both a PS-5 and an ODE/Muse. The Muse is more powerful but the Vega has THAT sound.

Christy banjos used that same ODE pot covered in purple plastic with a chunky neck - hard to find but cheap when you do. Used Gretsch/Bacon, Vega Folklore and Gibson RB-175s can be found at your price point. I'm not a fan of the Gold Tone long necks but they aren't bad, not great either.

Deering makes a woodie called the Vega Woodsongs that you can afford - where I'd go if I wanted a new, mellow long neck. There are some luthiers on the BHO who do very interesting long necks besides Helix. Dan Levan, Dan Pennington, Nechville and Wyatt Fawley come to mind but not in your stated budget. OME and Wildwood, too.

thefolkshop - Posted - 03/05/2013:  07:07:44

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Here's a reminder of Beyer's workmanship and 'Lifetime Guarantee'.  This banjo was DOA so no guarantee as it's life was over.   Mr. Beyer was quietly given many chances to rectify the situation but the buyer was told that the 15 day trial period was over. Again, no warranty, no offer of repair.  Perhaps he's doing better now but I owe this info to BHO readers and potential Beyer banjo buyers.  Paul

Thanks to Helix for helping me try  to make a banjo out of the mess that was sent to a beginner banjoist.  Here are a couple of pictures of that piece of work. Get a banjo from someone who knows how to build a banjo, not just bolt parts together.

Beyer

Beyer

Beyer

TheYankee_NY - Posted - 03/05/2013:  07:59:29

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Wow thefolkshop!! I didn't know his craftsmanship was that bad! I'm sorry you had to go through that. Thank you all for the advice. It is much appreciated! I'm new to BHO, but I'm glad that there's a community of banjoists out there to ask for advice on these matters. Thank you all again!

john bange - Posted - 03/05/2013:  08:11:32

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ebay.com/itm/Vega-SS-5-Folklor...0cfd3807f

this Vega looks pretty good.  ...You might join the long neck banjo group here on the bho...lots of info there. john

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/05/2013:  10:30:14

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I knew that Beyer sounded familiar but forgot about that piece of junk. If anyone gets saved, it's a good thing.

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/05/2013:  10:35:58

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quote:

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Originally posted by john bange

ebay.com/itm/Vega-SS-5-Folklor...0cfd3807f

this Vega looks pretty good.  ...You might join the long neck banjo group here on the bho...lots of info there. john

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The Vega Folklore is a woodie with no tone ring. Very nice for folk styles. Hard to go wrong at $750 - you would lose very little if you decided to re-sell it. A folklore will not have the power of some of your other choices.

ObsidianSpike - Posted - 03/05/2013:  12:28:17

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quote:

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Originally posted by thefolkshop

Here's a reminder of Beyer's workmanship and 'Lifetime Guarantee'.  This banjo was DOA so no guarantee as it's life was over.   Mr. Beyer was quietly given many chances to rectify the situation but the buyer was told that the 15 day trial period was over. Again, no warranty, no offer of repair.  Perhaps he's doing better now but I owe this info to BHO readers and potential Beyer banjo buyers.  Paul

Thanks to Helix for helping me try  to make a banjo out of the mess that was sent to a beginner banjoist.  Here are a couple of pictures of that piece of work. Get a banjo from someone who knows how to build a banjo, not just bolt parts together.

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Yikes! I was considering a Beyer at one point... Decided against it for three reasons:

1. Site design is atrocious. Somewhat petty, but it's pretty bad.

2. The only videos I could find conveyed a somewhat off-sound... almost as if they were out of tune.

3. The Tubaphone sound clip wasn't from one of his Tubaphone banjos, but rather a clip from a different banjo from Zepp's collection.

All three, and a lack of reviews I could find (outside his site) put me off. Sketchy!

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Edited by - ObsidianSpike on 03/05/2013 12:30:23

TheYankee_NY - Posted - 03/05/2013:  14:34:18

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quote:

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Originally posted by ObsidianSpike

quote:

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Originally posted by thefolkshop

Here's a reminder of Beyer's workmanship and 'Lifetime Guarantee'.  This banjo was DOA so no guarantee as it's life was over.   Mr. Beyer was quietly given many chances to rectify the situation but the buyer was told that the 15 day trial period was over. Again, no warranty, no offer of repair.  Perhaps he's doing better now but I owe this info to BHO readers and potential Beyer banjo buyers.  Paul

Thanks to Helix for helping me try  to make a banjo out of the mess that was sent to a beginner banjoist.  Here are a couple of pictures of that piece of work. Get a banjo from someone who knows how to build a banjo, not just bolt parts together.

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Yikes! I was considering a Beyer at one point... Decided against it for three reasons:



1. Site design is atrocious. Somewhat petty, but it's pretty bad.



2. The only videos I could find conveyed a somewhat off-sound... almost as if they were out of tune.



3. The Tubaphone sound clip wasn't from one of his Tubaphone banjos, but rather a clip from a different banjo from Zepp's collection.



All three, and a lack of reviews I could find (outside his site) put me off. Sketchy!

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Another detail I didn't know: the sound clip wasn't from one of his banjos.  I'm glad I asked around before making any decision.  Anyway, thanks again everyone for the advice.  I think I'm going to look into a Helix.  I've seen some good reviews on BHO, and the price range is very reasonable.  Once again, any advice is both welcomed and appreciated!

Ken LeVan - Posted - 03/05/2013:  14:55:16

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quote:

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Originally posted by Helix

It is my humble opinion that a bracket band is a brass rim with a wooden liner, and a big square hole in the rim for the dowel rod. Lack of depth and projection is typical

 

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Not really all that humble, and you're treading on really thin ice with a comment like that. Shall I say more?

Ken

Helix - Posted - 03/05/2013:  19:51:49

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Uh oh ,I'm moderating to the reporters

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Edited by - Helix on 03/05/2013 19:53:26

Maple, Cherry, Black Walnut

John Gribble - Posted - 03/06/2013:  06:32:05

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quote:

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Originally posted by john bange

ebay.com/itm/Vega-SS-5-Folklor...0cfd3807f

this Vega looks pretty good.  ...You might join the long neck banjo group here on the bho...lots of info there. john

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Boy, that one's tempting. I've always wanted a longneck and that one's awfully clean....

thefolkshop - Posted - 03/06/2013:  14:06:27

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Nice looking Folklore at a very fair price. If that one doesn't do it for you, we have a pretty extensive stash of long-necks for sale. The Ohm Magician and the blond Vega just left but still have quite a few left. Paul

TheYankee_NY - Posted - 03/07/2013:  11:36:41

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Hey Paul, do you a list or classified ads that I can take a look at? Check your classifieds on BHO, but didn't see any long necks there.

John Gribble - Posted - 03/07/2013:  14:01:23

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I think he meant to look at his own web page:

thefolkshop.com

But there weren't any specifics there. 

thefolkshop - Posted - 03/08/2013:  07:36:33

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Unfortunately, my inventory is all stuffed in my poor little brain and I'm a very slow typer so no on-line inventory.  I have a collection of long neck that I need to thin, so please e-mail or call the store.  I love long necks.  Paul

arnie fleischer - Posted - 03/08/2013:  13:03:08

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Lark Street Music (ww.larkstreetmusic.com) in Teaneck, NJ has a ca.1965 Gibson RB-175 long neck banjo for $1250.

Looks clean in the photos, reputable dealer. 

dbrooks - Posted - 03/08/2013:  18:52:44

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A fellow musician here in Louisville is selling a Gibson longneck in the BHO classifieds.  The asking price is $1100.  He's selling it for a relative.  You might make an offer.  I saw it a few weeks ago, and it's clean and lightly played.  We could probably record some audio samples for you.  I have no interest other than he's a friend and a fellow contra dance musician.  Here's a link.

banjohangout.org/classified/33659

David

P.S. I've had a Vega longneck since 1969 or so.  The Gibson doesn't have the punch of the Vega tubaphone, but it's a lot less money too.

Helix - Posted - 03/09/2013:  06:41:02

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Folkshop, I would enjoy it if you would put an email box up here so we could shout out once in a while. Cold down there?

HeliX Delivery Team

thefolkshop - Posted - 03/11/2013:  12:46:29

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Helix, How do I do that?  Like this?

The Folk Shop, 2525 N. Campbell Avenue,Tucson, AZ  85719

Phone:  520-881-7147,Fax:419-710-004  folks@thefolkshop.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/12/2013:  13:18:27

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quote:

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Originally posted by dbrooks

A fellow musician here in Louisville is selling a Gibson longneck in the BHO classifieds.  The asking price is $1100.  He's selling it for a relative.  You might make an offer.  I saw it a few weeks ago, and it's clean and lightly played.  We could probably record some audio samples for you.  I have no interest other than he's a friend and a fellow contra dance musician.  Here's a link.

banjohangout.org/classified/33659

David

P.S. I've had a Vega longneck since 1969 or so.  The Gibson doesn't have the punch of the Vega tubaphone, but it's a lot less money too.

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An understatement. I have always been disappointed by the RB-175 (1/4" round rod) and RB-180 (Mastertone ring). Of the two, I prefer the 175 as is. For some reason, the 180 is on a pot way too thick and deep.

The necks are pretty nice but the sound just doesn't make it on either banjo. OTOH, if you find one inexpensive enough, a proper rim swap will wake either of these up to the point where anyone will take notice.

 

grm405 - Posted - 03/12/2013:  13:33:33

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You can always put an original Tubaphone pot on the Gibson neck.  I have mounted both Little Wonder and Tubaphone pots on Saga necks with relatively simple techniques and with minimal and undetectable modifications to the pots.  Vega Tubaphone pots are widely available and relatively cheap, less than the cost to put together a pot of new parts.

Gerry

Banjelo - Posted - 07/21/2013:  04:50:33

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I wouldn't buy a Beyer banjo. Why? I just bought one. It is playable, As others have posted, there is excessive glue. Bad news for any instrument. Glue is used like mortar to make the parts fit. No instrument maker would do this. The construction of the pot is hardly precision. The holes in the pot drilled to hold the posts that hold the head down were drilled erratically so some of them seem shorter or or longer or are at angles. Then to add insult to injury, after the tone ring was glued to the top of the pot, the nice mahogany was stained dark and the stain was slopped onto the metal upper components. So in a way, it looks like FrankenBanjo.
The low E has a buzz on the first fret and Jonathan recommended I adjust all stings higher. Why raise all the stings for 1 string on the first fret when it is better to dress that fret?

Moving up the neck the strings sound muted. I've never had a banjo lose so much tone at higher frets. But then again I wouldn't expect a guitar to sound much better if it was joined with excessive glue and mortar and slathered with wood stain.

So to be fair I've ordered another long neck. I will report on that when I get it.

Banjelo - Posted - 08/08/2013:  02:36:11

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More observations in the Beyer longneck lack of craftmanship and precision. Even though it is playable I've been removing excessive glue, varnish and some rubbery stuff.

Then I noticed another thing about the poor neck attachment. If you look at the pot and view top dead center you'd expect the neck to point to true north. The neck points off at an angle and the tail piece was also off-centered to match. If you notice in the photo the coordinator rods should eyeball directly up the center of the neck. Not that they line up with each other. Even though you can't see the other coordinator rod you may notice the other one has its mounting point to the right of the upper one in this photo.

So not only does the neck not line up, the coordinator rods are not precision either. They don't even center between the rim bolt mounts.

All my other banjos have the heel of the neck contoured to fit the roundness of the pot. This banjo however the square heel was just generously glued ind fillered to make a square object stick to a round object.

To be fair, the banjo is playable. At least this one is to some to degree. I would recommend spending a little more if you can and getting something well made that you will be proud to own and play and has resale value. Unless you are a novice, you will quickly wish you had bought the banjo you wanted and not one these Frankensteins.

Lining up?

thefolkshop - Posted - 08/09/2013:  07:36:47

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Thanks for the input on Beyer.  Hopefully enough information on him will keep others from disappointment with this guy's work. What a cheat! I know from first hand experience. Paul

Helix - Posted - 08/10/2013:  06:02:44

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Let's pray that each of us is able to do better work.

Banjelo - Posted - 08/24/2013:  03:13:36

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From the last photo you might notice how some of the holes were drilled twice. Some are higher or lower. Like step one for the pot was just drill 24holes and hope they are close enough. The neck suddenly increases in thickness at the eighth fret which is weird. Its not gradual up the neck. Sure the neck gets wider when the fifth string is added but why does the neck get thicker? It's already pretty thick to start with.

Now that I have bit the bullet and purchased another longneck (from Deering this time) which puts this one to shame, I don't know what to do with the Beyer banjo. Give it away? Sell it cheap? Use it for parts? Get real rambunctious and completely rebuild it? Sure the inlays and stuff on the neck make it look good but beyond that, it is only playable or useful to a beginner who wants to stay a beginner but wants a banjo that looks better than it is.

Helix - Posted - 08/24/2013:  18:36:12

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Wounded Warriors? Shhhhhhhhhhhhh, Mars needs banjos. Let's say I know someone.

BANJO SHIPPING

PACKIN' FOR THE ROAD TRIP

Mike Casey - Posted - 08/25/2013:  18:27:00

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I have very nice 1963 Epiphone with the flathead hoop and it sounds very nice. I also have a thicker rimmed RB-175 in the archtop configuration and it has the thicker rim. I prefer the Epiphone (Gibson) with the flathead hoop and thinner rim for clawhammer. The thicker rimmed archtop model sounds its best when finger picked - clawhammer OK, but the Epiphone sounds better to me when played clawhammer style. The necks are typical Gibson with the only difference being in their peghead profiles. They are very playable and comfortable to my playing style. I think you could find an older (60's) Epiphone in the $750 to $850 price range. I would recommend getting one with a hardshell case if you choose to go with one of these Gibson made banjos. One thing about them is they are solid made and I don't think you will have to worry about them coming apart.

mikehalloran - Posted - 08/26/2013:  12:59:36

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The Gold Tone 11" long neck case fits the Gibson, ODE  and Vega open backed - no problem.

TonyS - Posted - 08/28/2013:  11:45:32

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Not an expert here - I'm the piano player - but Gold Tone seems to be a good deal, not top of the line but not a toy. I inspect my stuff neurotically, white glove, magnifier and except for technical stuff (like tuners and tailpiece change-outs), they seem to make really nice instrumunts - no I dont work there, just a suggestion to my new banjo buddies.

Lew H - Posted - 08/28/2013:  12:00:59

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I haven't read all the entries here, but let me speak up for buying a used longneck. All the advice on tone, etc. is good, but you need to know what sort of tone you want. So it's urgently important that you get hold of the banjo you are considering and try it out before buying. Second, let me speak up for the longneck Gibson. I've had one with the brass rod tonering and paddle headpiece since 1967. It has crappy construction, but it gets better sounding every year--or every decade at least. I like it better than my almost 12" Tubaphone for its greater sustain.

Bagie0 - Posted - 08/28/2013:  12:42:45

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Try a Deering Boston long neck if you can. A used one will be well within your budget and you will be amazed at the sound. I've never taken mine anywhere without folk being impressed. It's great for any style. 

darwinyarwin - Posted - 08/28/2013:  13:10:44

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Lew H is correct, you need to know what you want and you need to play it before you buy it. You need to know why you want a long neck to begin with, imho. That self-knowledge will lead you to a much better decision. The music you want to play and the tone you want to have will practically lead you to the correct long neck for yourself. I've played them since the 60's and have owned a half dozen of them. The "sleeper" banjos, and usually the most undervalued (until the last few years) are the Ode long necks. And Lew's right about the Gibson long necks. The RB175 is a great folk banjo, underrated, and undervalued.

mikehalloran - Posted - 08/31/2013:  03:11:42

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Dan Pennington just put a Vega SS-5 Folklore in the Classifieds at a nice price. Dan is a well respected luthier who can also build one from scratch. You can trust his description.

The Folklore is one of those sleeper long necks that, properly set up, sounds very good. For twice the price, you can get the Deering Vega Woodsongs, the modern version of the same banjo.

As for the Gibson, I liked the 175 more than the 180. The RB-180 has a Mastertone ring. That's not the problem - it's that the rim is too deep. These benefit from a rim swap in my opinion - this seems to wake them up.

I certainly agree on the aluminum ODE. There's one in my avatar next to my Vega Pete Seeger. It's a little louder but the PS-5 is a touch brighter. The ODE has a much slimmer neck than the Vega. Both are excellent banjos.

Another pair of  sleepers - very hard to find - are the Fender long necks from the '60s. Mine was an Allegro, similar to the RB-175 but much better workmanship. I sold it after I had my ODE and Vega. The other day, I heard a recording I made with it and thought, 'Hmmm...  shouldn't have let it get away." Great banjo. I've played but never owned an Artist long neck - wow! 

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Edited by - mikehalloran on 08/31/2013 03:25:20

mikehalloran - Posted - 09/03/2013:  09:49:44

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This just showed up in the classifieds for $695:

banjohangout.org/classified/38631

The seller is less than knowledgeable about what he has. It is actually a re-finished SS-5 Folklore from the early 1960s that has had the peghead re-shaped and has a large logo or decal or.... One of those banjos you would love or hate, I suppose but it is absolutely the real deal. The Allen screws in the pot and large aluminum lower co-rod (like my Pete Seeger) helped me date it without a serial number. A careful comparison between it and Dan Pennington's SS-5 show that they're the same banjo. Dan's has the later Vega co-rods where both are the same size.

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Edited by - mikehalloran on 09/03/2013 09:51:59

Lew H - Posted - 09/29/2013:  19:53:08

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MikeHalloran, The only thing I don't like about my RB175 is that it's a very plain, maybe ugly, banjo. I like its sound, and as I said earlier, it gets better to my ear every decade. Of course, OT banjo pickers vary a lot in the kind of tone they desire. I've not tried changing out parts (tonering, rim, etc). A nice three ply maple rim might make it sound better than the layered veneers that are stock. But on the other hand, the current parts have had almost 40 years to adapt to each other, so I wouldn't expect a great immediate improvement by this switch. Then on the third hand, I'm not sure with my aged ears, I could even detect an improvement in its tone.