never2old - Posted - 03/09/2013:  10:24:02

I'm interested in buying a GoldTone Cello CEB5.  In doing my research I came across a used one for around $700 and a new one for around $1100. There were two reviews and this one posting has me concerned. Should I be?

"She's a little finicky -- if you play too hard the bass string will vibrate against the frets -- and the neck is somewhat shorter and wider than a standard banjo, so you will miss notes for a while until you get used to it.



I've found that brushes don't sound as good, so my clawhammer playing has begun to cut back on those, replacing them with a plain note and a pluck on the fifth string. Two-finger picking really makes this instrument shine. Crisp notes that just hang in the air."

I place high value on your expertise and patiently await your response.

Thanks for your help.

CDF

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 03/09/2013:  10:33:12

The neck and scale length are a bit different--it will take some getting used to. That's to be expected, but no big deal. It is tuned so low, and plus those nylon strings make a strum not sound so pleasing. Again, no big deal, just adapt your playing from a brush stroke to a pluck stroke. You'll figure out what sounds good and what doesn't---don't sweat it. That's part of the fun of a different instrument. $700 is a good price, usually I see them used for $800.

never2old - Posted - 03/09/2013:  11:15:30

Thank you for the encouragement pastor.
My son is also a pastor--his only flaw if indeed he has one is that he doesn't play banjo.
Yet.
Again, thanks for the input.
PHN

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 03/09/2013:  11:16:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by never2old

Thank you for the encouragement pastor.

My son is also a pastor--his only flaw if indeed he has one is that he doesn't play banjo.

Yet.

Again, thanks for the input.

PHN

---

He needs much sanctification in his life

You're welcome---you should go for the cello banjo!

J-Walk - Posted - 03/09/2013:  17:00:09

I had a GT cello banjo for a while. It was fun, but it just didn't suit my style of playing. One octave lower seems nice on paper, but it's really too low for jamming (at least for me).

If you like those low notes, there are other lower-tuned banjos that are worth considering. Most of them are fretless, and are tuned  lower. So if you're in "G" tuning tuned down 5 half-steps you're really playing in D. So, "double C" is really in the key of G.

I don't mean to discourage you. In fact, I encourage you to check it out.  Buying and selling banjos is how we learn what's right for us.

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 03/09/2013:  18:21:52

Getting used to the shorter neck is no big deal. You play it regular, and you adapt. I go from tenor ukulele to 12 string guitar to banjo to dulcimers. At first, you'll feel a little awkward, but once you get the feel, you'll do just fine. It won't take very long. I don't know about the buzzing issues, maybe that one needs set up work?
Paul

never2old - Posted - 03/09/2013:  19:17:15

That was my first thought too about the buzzing-
Thanks guys.
CDF

JanetB - Posted - 03/11/2013:  16:58:10

I'm sure enjoying mine.  I like the looks, the feel, the tone.  Sounds great with my mandolin-playing husband.  I've made a few accommodations, such as with the wound strings I do less sliding (which I don't do much of anyway).  I used the lighter 4th string and the medium strings for the rest and tune it an octave below open G.  The sound is deep and rich.  The sustain is great, too, and sometimes a stuffed towel is used to please my husband's sense of note spacing when we play together.  The expert here is Paul Roberts, BHO member, who would gladly converse with you.  I have a few MP3s on my homepage using the cello banjo if you want to listen.

never2old - Posted - 03/11/2013:  18:51:52

Yes--please send the link for your home page--I'd like to hear those mp3s.
Thanks for your comments also.

bigguitarbrad - Posted - 03/11/2013:  21:49:46

I own a CEB-5, and I love it. I started with the medium set of strings tuned an octave lower than regular tuning, however I have switched to the light strings and tune to A (or d, in "C tuning"... I love playing it in ensembles. Capo-ing up is out of the question. Playing this big guy has been really good for my technique- I'm from the more is better school of digging in, and that is way too much for the lower octave. In developing a lighter touch, I can play faster, the CEB-5 sounds better, I get more note separation, (when I want it- it's nice to have a choice) and the benefits have moved into my regular set up banjo playing.
All the best!

jojo25 - Posted - 03/12/2013:  13:01:30

in the current issue of BNL there is an interview with Bob Shanks...who mentions he got one of these...said he did not like the original neck...but liked it plenty after getting a better neck put on...FYI

never2old - Posted - 03/12/2013:  15:11:31

After listening to the Bart Reiter Whyte Ladye I am torn between the two--like to get them both.
Thanks for all the great info. I'm gonna chew on this for awhile before deciding since I am not one to act hastily.

tasrev - Posted - 03/14/2013:  17:13:14

Buy it :)

I bought one from banjohangout classifieds a month ago.

I play mostly chordal stuff, as I write and sing my own stuff.

It's going to take me a while to figure out what to use it for.

I've been experimenting with different tunings (medium strings).

Such a unique instrument, great sound.

Lots of cons but I don't regret it.

maryzcox - Posted - 03/18/2013:  14:34:17

Lucky to have gold plated #21 cello banjo. It is lots of fun to play & lots of fun to see and hear too. Whenever it comes out--folks start smiling and chuckling.  Go for it--you won't regret it :)

never2old - Posted - 03/18/2013:  14:51:22

Yet another word or two of encouragement from Mary C.--love your music Mary--thanks for the musical nudge with the video--very nice, you play like I would imagine an angel could play. Can I get an AMEN?

never2old - Posted - 03/18/2013:  15:42:26

Looks like I'm having to wait until summer for that cello banjo--life is full of disappointment right--well I could be without any banjo at all--now that would be really painful...

ChuckJo - Posted - 03/18/2013:  18:06:05

In my opinion, the CEB is great, but the string gauges recommended by Gold Tone are a little floppy.  I tune mine to A ore D, use their medium strings, and often have to replace the middle string with a wrapped nylon string from a classical guitar set.

Eric List - Posted - 03/19/2013:  14:29:50

I just simply adore my Gold Tone Cello Banjo. I think is a grand instrument, but of course it is a different instrument, different sound and texture, than a regular banjo. The first attempt of playing it, could be disorienting. I feel is a great second banjo to make your sound possibilities vaster. After a While you will find that some songs sound specially interesting in a lower tone.
I agree with ChuckJo's comment about gold tone strings. For me is very unfortunate to lose prematurely a string, because in Mexico banjo strings a difficult to find, and cello banjo strings are impossible to find. Sometimes I use high tension classical guitar strings (those are the type of strings that flamenco players use in their guitars). Recently I purchased a set of cello banjo strings from England, I will post a comment after I use them.

piscesgrrl - Posted - 04/05/2013:  05:36:33

Well, now I want one!

BanjoRW - Posted - 04/05/2013:  09:10:23

There's a CEB-5 for saie ( banjohangout.org/classified/35437 ). I really want it, but can't afford it right now. Hope someone buys it before I loose will-power. By the way, I don't even know the seller -- no hidden agenda here.