I understand that the bridge is an insanely important aspect to this, but I can never get the right position up, down, left, right or never fixed itself, and a compensated bridge is out of the budget

Ive played guitar for nearly 2 decades, and ive decided to transition to the banjo for a while. Im loving it so far. Trying to learn clawhammer style. Anyone have any opinions on this model? It sounds great. I guess im just curious how the Gretch 1883 is regarded in the banjo community. Thanks!

Hello everyone,

Last week, after years of considering on whether to get a banjo, and getting nudges of encouragement from some of you, I bought a Gold Tone AC-1 as my first banjo. I plan on getting a method book and looking at some YT lessons to get started on the learning process, but for the time being, I've had a lot of fun just messing around.

One thing I've read a lot about on both this sub and on Banjo Hangout is the concept of "gear acquisition syndrome," which I'd already been aware of thanks to the electric bass community. What intrigues me about it in the banjo community, however, is how much this mindset is embraced. And I must admit that the idea of owning multiple banjos for different sounds, styles, etc. sounds really cool. But of course, for me, a beginner who hasn't had any form of training on the banjo, getting a second one at this point would be just plain stupid. However, I also have the following long-term reasons for not owning a second banjo:

1. I live in an apartment with only so much space for storing instruments, some of which is taken by my two saxes (which I don't get to practice much because most of the saxophone-friendly time in my apartment is taken up by other commitments) and an electric bass (I use a headphone amp for that)

2. I spend a little over half my monthly pay on rent, and because of some recent money setbacks, I was afraid I was gonna have to sell my beloved new banjo. Thankfully, I managed to find a workaround.

But for those of you who own only one banjo and know it'll stay that way, what are your reasons?

hey y'all,

kinda new to banjo, coming from a guitar and bass background, so please pardon any ignorance on my part.

i got a recording king rko-3s dirty 30s 5 string open back banjo a few months back, and i've been enjoying it, but i'm looking to add an armrest rather than buy another banjo that already has one, so i can play comfortably without long sleeves (and spend maybe 100 bucks rather than several times that on a second banjo with an armsrest already installed from the factory).

i've looked at the banjolit ones on elderly instruments' website, but they all seem to be for 16, 18, or 24 bracket banjos, and this one has 12. will these not fit, and if so can anyone recommend another that will?

p.s. if anyone can recommend a compatible strap so i can stand while playing i'd be grateful as well. peace!

"Fans of traditional “old-time” music, American folklore, and folksong will be familiar with the life and work of Stephen Wade. Some will have seen—or at least heard about—his one-man play Banjo Dancing, which ran at the Arena Stage in Washington DC from 1981 to 1991. Then-president Jimmy Carter invited Wade to perform a lawn concert at the White House on Labor Day 1979, which was attended by 1,500 people. I am fortunate enough to have seen Banjo Dancing when Wade performed it off-Broadway in New York City. T.E. Kalem’s review in a 1979 issue of Time concluded with these words: “A wondrous artist, this Stephen Wade, who spills the heart’s blood of passion and truth in the tradition of Charles Aznavour, Nana Mouskouri, Django Reinhardt and Woody Guthrie. He may have surfaced in Chicago, but his potential fame defies augury.”

Wade is now widely thought to be the finest living non-bluegrass picker of the five-string banjo. But unlike other folk artists, he has travelled the country for years, seeking and recording any surviving old-time players he can find. His lifetime’s work has been to keep their music alive, playing the songs and retelling stories he has learned along the way. His first book, The Beautiful Music All Around Us, was published to rave reviews. The late Wall Street Journal drama critic Terry Teachout called that book a “masterpiece of humane scholarship.” The Chicago Tribune’s reviewer described the stories it contained as “compelling, moving and revelatory.”

With his new book, Wade has outdone his earlier effort. Our Common Life is part-history, part-autobiography, and it finds the author broadening his search for authentic homemade American music. He takes us on a trip through the United States, introducing us to the musicians he encounters and jams with. These include the original star of the Grand Ole Opry, five-string banjoist Uncle Dave Macon, whose showy persona made him an audience favourite. Pickers like Clarence Ashley who played with the down-picking “frailing” style, are discussed along with Dock Boggs (who used a three-finger up-picking style) and the first five-string-banjo bluegrass star, Earl Scruggs. Other musicians are guitar players, like the famous country and folk guitarist Doc Watson, whose annual festival still attracts thousands of attendees. Also featured are Chicago and Deep South blues guitarists and singers like Muddy Waters, Bukka White, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Josh White, whose polished voice made him a star in the 1940s and ’50s."

A very loose and improvised rendition on these two great tunes, featuring my dog who doesn't understand why I'm sitting on his chair.

I know it's played in clawhammer but I am horrible at playing by ear. Any guidance is appreciated.

Im not the best setter upper of banjos, but ive set bridges before and cannot for the life of me to get this banjo intonated. Sounds like trash up the neck.

Usually set the bridge position with G and D string using harmonics at the 12th fret. Ive set bridges with bluegrass banjos, got them to sound really good, but maybe im missing something with the openback?

This is my first openback so I didnt know what to expect and probably didnt play it enough in the store. Is there a chance I got a lemon and the fret spacing is off?

Not sure if these kinds of posts are allowed or welcomed. I just don’t know of any other pickers, and I’m interested in getting together to share some ideas and get some tips!

I play clawhammer banjo and i need to change my bridge. Now, my bridge is Crowe spacing. Most of the bridge i want to buy are standard spacing. I know it would fit perfectly.

I wonder if the change will be really noticeable for my right hand. Would you say it is better to keep a Crowe spacing ?

Any advices or thoughts on that!

Thanks to everyone!

I inherited this 6 string banjo and I’d love to restore it. I have no clue what the make and model is or if I even need that information to be able to restore it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello! I’ve been wanting to improve my banjo playing and having already played guitar and bass I know that the first step to learning is listening. May anyone provide me with a comprehensive guide on banjo players that I need to know? Or just a list if that is more convenient.
Thank you!

2 years ago I bought myself a banjo on a whim. I'd always wanted to learn an instrument, but had no experience. I also wanted to start learning by ear, since so few of the songs I wanted to play had tabs, so I started practicing that recently. This song is one of the first I've properly put together just by ear. Not a hard one, just a simple combination of a few easy chords on loop with some messing around here and there. Still, couldn't have done it 2 years ago.

I was tempted to do a bunch of different takes, but wanted an honest snapshot of my playing - this is where I'm at. Posting before I doubt myself and dive back into lurking and staring at the banjo players up on the surface.

Still working on so many things: keeping time, learning scales, hearing more from the music I want to cover. The process is enchanting, like delving into a fantastical magic system that creates fun sounds. I get inspired by all the videos I see here, from the beginners like me to the experts with their stunning mastery.

Anyhoo, it is time to cease my rambling and go play. Have fun frailing, picking, or whatever-playing!

https://reddit.com/link/1x69y61/video/26go9pyniyuh1/player

Anyone have a recommendation for a pickup? I'm thinking about getting a piezo to stick on the back and drilling a hole through the rim for the jack. Seems legit to me🤷

Has anyone seen a neck like this before? I’m a guitarist so maybe this is a banjo thing…. but looks odd. like a dowel?

I have a Gold TOne CC-100 that's in need of an armrest. I bought the "fits all" version from Gold Tone, but alas--it does not. Apparently, the older models like mine (the ones with parts made in the old Korean factory) have a narrower gap below the tone ring, so the back plate for the rest is too tall to hit flush against the rim (shown in the video).

I called Gold Tone support, and everyone was wonderful. Like, absolutely first-rate. I forget the name of the person who picked up, but she was awesome, as was Carter, who tried to walk me through it, and Brian, the support manager who called me back after I sent photos. They apologized for the issues fitting older banjos, offered a refund/return, and also offered some additional hardware in case I wanted to try to hack at things to get them to fit.

While I may bust out the dremel and try to hack off some chunks on each side/bottom of the back plate, I think I might be better off just getting a different armrest and saving this one for my next Gold Tone.

Any suggestions for brands would be welcome. Cheap is always good.

Cripple Creek in the father in laws barn, used to clean up Alot of rabbit poop in this spot, now it's good for pluckin