Hello everyone, happy new year! I had my first banjo lesson on Saturday and needless to say it went very well. I bought a Countryman banjo that is very basic entry level and is doing the job for now, but after playing my teacher's banjo (Gold Tone OB250), I realised how entry level my banjo is and what a difference it made playing his Gold Tone. I'm in no rush to go and buy a new banjo, but am looking at getting an intermediate level later this year with a budget of around £500, though the Good Tone was a cracker, I can't afford to drop a grand on one yet. I have been looking at the Ozark 2115G Bronze, does anyone have any experience with this or something similar? Or potentially other models I should look into? I would obviously like to go and try them out before purchasing; I live in London but am happy to travel to shops to try them out, but would prefer a shop that has a wide range so I don't have to travel around the UK to try banjos everywhere! I see that Eagle Music Shop in West Yorkshire seems to have quite a wide variety.
27 Comments |
 | alfiedog says:
1/11/2016 7:12:39 AM
I have a 2115g bronze, was my 1st real Banjo. They have great tone, for a tone hoop model (no tone ring) i wouldnt pay over £300 for one, and it would have to have a case with it. What sort of music are you playing ? O/T, or 3 finger style. If you are playing O/T then the Ozark would be fine it's got a nice woody tone, but it's a bit quiet in a proper Bluegrass session. If you are a picker then an RK35/36 would be the best Banjo for your budget :)
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 | conic says:
1/11/2016 9:00:02 AM
I tried a very nice clawhammer at Hobgoblin banjo , its the Ashbury AB-55 5 String openback with Walnut neck & rim, Whyte laydie tone ring, but for £669, no way.
Now as mentioned abovefor picking the RK36 is fantastic but nobody in the uk sells them so you will have to mail order. I have phoned and emailed loads of stores and they all told me they don't bother ordering recording kings anymore because the company is very poor at delivering their orders, probably why eagle don't stock them but stock every other brand. I will still buy a RK36 when I come across one but I need to hold it first.
I have a fantastic Deering goodtime 2 which I will always keep but now after a few years of picking I want that darn tone ring
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 | mooweesworld says:
1/11/2016 9:05:33 AM
Thanks guys, most helpful! I've been heading down the three finger picking route, and loving it! As mentioned, won't be buying for a while, but just thought I would love some suggestions and recommendations of banjos to try out before making the purchase.
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 | Buzzbomb says:
1/11/2016 9:45:56 AM
You could also consider Andy Banjo in Faversham.
andybanjo.com/
I think you have to phone beforehand if paying them a visit. I bought my 2nd banjo from them mail-order & was very pleased with it and the service they provide.
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| mooweesworld says:
1/11/2016 10:16:42 AM
Thanks Buzzbomb, that's where my teacher recommended. I will have to pop down as it's just over an hour's drive from me 👍
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 | RB-1 says:
1/11/2016 11:23:17 AM
I'm with Eddie here, if you want value for money, then there's no way around the RK-R35 or 36.
Check here: moloneymusic.com/Products/Banj...dUkeleles
It will blow a Gold Tone out of the water ( OK, when the tide is right ;-) ).
I would strongly advice against getting a £500 'intermediate' that you will lose on, when trading it in for a better one.
The RK takes you right to where you were going to end up anyway, for not that dramatically more.
If I'd were you, I'd save a little longer, then go the extra mile....
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Banjer-El says:
1/11/2016 1:14:47 PM
I would second the Andy Banjo suggestion
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| conic says:
1/11/2016 2:02:45 PM
Thanks Buzzbomb. andybanjo looks good but does not show the rk-36 on their site but I just emailed them, did yours arrive fresh in the box or had any setting up been done from the seller?
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 | birdmanUK says:
1/11/2016 2:23:46 PM
I also bought my first banjo from Andy Banjo mail order, and it was an Ozark which I have been very pleased with. However, I would question the value for money of buying an intermediate banjo NEW for around £500. When you outgrow this banjo and aspire to something better, you will struggle to sell it for very much. But if you save a bit more and look around for a quality used banjo (e.g. a Deering Sierra, or Recording King model) you will get a much more satisfying instrument, and one that you will later be able to trade in for around the same as you paid for it if not more. Although I bought my Ozark new, I am now a fan of buying quality used banjos for a much better playing experience.
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| alfiedog says:
1/11/2016 2:34:49 PM
The RK35/36 is a pro grade instrument. As Bruno said, you wont need to upgrade, it's all the Banjo you will ever need :)
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| alfiedog says:
1/11/2016 2:49:42 PM
I will bring my RK35 to the UK5 day on the 27th of Feb, it's had a pro setup, and anyone who want's to try it can have a go on it. I got my 35 from Germany for less then £400 with a hardcase 3 year's ago (they were an unknown quantity when i got mine, it was a gamble on my part, as i had never seen one) They have increased in value, and i think they will continue to do so. Mine was terrible out of the Box, bad action, bad nut, bad string's, bad bridge, bad head tension, but what you have to understand is the component's that these Banjo's are made with are fantastic, they just need setting up.
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| Buzzbomb says:
1/11/2016 2:56:12 PM
@ Conic - I got a Gold Tone BG250F from Andy Banjo via mailorder about 5 years ago. It was very well set up, and packed well, with the bridge position marked with masking tape on the head. After removing all the packaging, all I had to do was pop the bridge in position & tune it!
Sadly it's been gathering dust for the last year, as I bought a Prucha Legend Wreath Archtop direct from Prucha... :)
The Gold Tone is ok, but I love the Prucha...
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| mooweesworld says:
1/11/2016 3:21:52 PM
Oh great, has anyone used the website moloneymusic.com to order things from before? Is it a reliable source?
Thanks for all the help guys, always a pleasure and appreciated!
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| alfiedog says:
1/11/2016 3:35:12 PM
They are a well established shop, never used them , just check they have stock before you order.
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| conic says:
1/11/2016 4:30:20 PM
Thanks Buzzbomb. andybanjo looks good but does not show the rk-36 on their site but I just emailed them, did yours arrive fresh in the box or had any setting up been done from the seller?
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| conic says:
1/12/2016 9:39:51 AM
oh well just as I thought from another UK company who state at the top of their homepage "The UK's largest banjo dealer", my email anwer was....
Sorry but we do not stock the Recording King range of banjos.
We stock Grafton, Goldtone, Ozark and Delta Blue banjos,
Regards,
Glen.
I will give andybanjo respect for the reply though, looks like I will have to go to the germans for an rk
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| RB-1 says:
1/13/2016 2:57:59 PM
May I advice the 'Irish' route?
Thomann caters for those that do their own set up.
I set up a 'Germam' RK-36 last month for a student of mine.
I've heard good things about Moloneys.
The most important set up item is the bridge. You'll need a better one.
Second would be the tailpiece. Soundwise the Presto is king of the hill for a Mastertone, but get rid of the little screw that keeps it from rising above the alu edge of the head.
When re mounting, loosen the hanger bolt enough to get the 'feet' of the tailpiece at half the height of the bridge.
Pull the head up to a G# tap note and sound wise you should be in the ball park. Strings D'Addario J-60.
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| mooweesworld says:
1/13/2016 3:05:03 PM
RB-1, when it comes to different parts I then have absolutely no idea (seeing as I don't even know much about the entire instrument itself). As the RK-36 has been so highly recommended, I think that will be the route I go, and it appears they hold their value, so even if it isn't for me, it doesn't seem like a problem to trade in. What bridge (if I were to get an RK-36) would you recommend (ideally from Moloneys so it can all come from the same source)?
When it comes to what your saying about the tailpiece I am lost! 😅
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| mooweesworld says:
1/14/2016 6:08:53 AM
One last thing, searching for the banjo by name on Google, it appears that it is for sale on Amazon:
amazon.co.uk/dp/B00713TVTK/ref...wb8JQ3QSZ
Of course I'm always up for supporting local music shops, but seeing as how there isn't any in the UK that I'm yet to find, and this also is cheaper than any I've found when converted from Euros to Pounds, do you think it's worth getting from there?
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| alfiedog says:
1/14/2016 7:21:55 AM
Just checked on the Thomann Website, and they have B stock RK35s for £418 ?
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| conic says:
1/14/2016 8:18:28 AM
When I am ready, I will get one from Moloney music, rk-35 = £382 and the rk-36 £593 plus postage at least it will get a basic setup. which you don't get at Thomanns or amazon.
Although I love my deering goodtime 2 I paid a lot of money for it with no tone ring but still sounds great, I tried a recording king deco model last night which I believe is a step up from the 35/36 and it just blew me away and sounds better or as good as than a £4k when played by a good picker but you will need a good strap as they are very heavy.
After playing with a good picker last night I now realise its more important to pick clean and slow as opposed to fast and crap ( a good lesson learnt for me ) I will not upgrade until I can get a clean sound with good timing and smooth flowing licks instead of a better sounding banjo.
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| RB-1 says:
1/14/2016 11:32:00 AM
About the amazon link, I know that shop.
A bit like thomann, they have no clue about what they're selling except pop crap.
So it comes without a set up.
About the deco king, it is NOT a step up. At best it is the same banjo.
There must be a reason it is dropped from the line. You do the math.
To me the wide binding is a big turn off. Not easy to put in the 5th string spikes.
I don't consider RKs or Gibsons heavy. It's the others that are too light... ;-)
Bridge? Scorpion compensated, no doubt.
Banjophobic has an excellent video about setting up a Presto: youtu.be/LTkVeL795WI
Like said, I put it with the feet about half bridge height: hangoutstorage.com/banjohangou...32010.jpg
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| alfiedog says:
1/14/2016 12:55:10 PM
Yep Bruno spot on, same Banjo with a worse neck, like the dropped RK80. The binding on the edge of the neck is way to thick, and the neck hasnt got the feel of the 35, by a long shot. I fitted a Tim Purcel organ wood bridge on my 35, never tried a Scorpion Bruno, might look into getting hold of one :)
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| conic says:
1/15/2016 11:36:03 AM
Thanks Bruno good setup tips. when you go from a goodtime 2 with the resonator removed then the rk deco king is a back breaker the binding and inlays are very artistic and sounds really good
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 | Waltraud says:
1/16/2016 4:23:15 AM
I play a Prucha and a Gibson but frankly the Maloney rk35 or 6 from maloneys , if well adjusted can sound as good and it's rely true they are a great banjo. Only alternative would be a gold star gf85 on the cheap s/h again nice. Worth listening to Jim Pankeyvon Youtube comparing an rk35 and 36. Good luck
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| mooweesworld says:
1/21/2016 11:24:39 PM
Ok, so I contacted Moloney's and Kieran said they had one RK-36 left and he didn't know when he would be able to restock. I took a leap of faith and ordered it, it arrived on Wednesday ... I'm in love. It feels amazing, sounds amazing, plays amazing and is overall, amazing. Thank you all so much for the recommendations, you were all right!
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| alfiedog says:
1/22/2016 3:01:36 AM
There you go :) nice one enjoy :)
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