banjo envy

[bondolah]

Looking around the room in Bath at other banjos, I realised I just about qualified as the owner of a hoop on a stick. I'll live with it...

Anyway, Wolfgang, Patrick told tale of a German banjo hand-crafted by elves, or the gods, or something like that. What was it? Got any pics or links?

[Danny]

Yup, mines a hoop on a stick too

[andrew]

The trouble with banjo envy (or guitar envy!) is that it never ends. It's that eternal quest for the perfect sound. I've almost worked it out with acoustics (Fylde and Patrick James Eggle if you're interested) but was at a loss when buying my first banjo last month. I ended up with a Gold Tone WL250+ which I'm really happy with. However it's doesn't have the ultimate smooth tone that I will be eternally searching for in a banjo. I moved a step closer though after playing Patrick's Wildwood. May I suggest the Balladeer?

(http://www.wildwoodbanjos.com/traditional.html)

Not the cheapest, but as with any instrument, (in general), you get what you pay for!

[Danny]

My word it didn't take long for both GAS and BAS to rear their heds did it? I can see this reaching the stage of 'But I've only got ONE prewar Martin' *stomps foot and looks pouty* We all want nice instruments, but relish in the fact that you have one at all.

Danny

[mark]

Although I suspect that I may suffer a little from "envy" I will say that I'm really happy with my Banjo at the moment - I have a Grafton Clipper constructed by Andy Perkins ;D

[Wolfgang]

Hi bondolah,

what Patrick talked about are the banjos of a Hamburg luthier (he´s not making banjos out of hamburgers, but he is from the city with this uneatable name). They are openback banjos and I think they cost from 1.700 € up and are really wonderful. If you are interested, send me an email. I don´t want to use this forum as a kind of advertisement.

[Danny]

While I apreciate your good nature wolfgang, I think we'd all enjoy hearing about a decent banjo maker, especially if they're in europe.

[mark]

Yup Wolfgang, let's hear all about it, best of all, let's see some pics / hear some sound samples.

[Danny]

mark said:

Yup Wolfgang, let's hear all about it, best of all, let's see some pics / hear some sound samples.

Them too

[Wolfgang]

Ok, Patrick saw and played a Vega style openback banjo made by Karsten Schnoor www.karstenschnoor.com . I think it was the "Classic Clawhammer" model owned by one of the sessions members.
Karsten makes "fully ornamented" models too, as you can see on his website. But he is really very good in doing engravings and inlays in a more selected manner. (He does it with his own hands, no premanufactured stuff, he told me). I like his instruments with kind of reduced inlays (hard for me to describe this in english). They show sort of vintage ornaments, but not so many as on his "Presentation".
I began writing about the look of his instruments, and that´s really a thing I fell in love with when I saw them first time. The sound is great too. He uses a variety of tonerings, so you can select the model you like most. Of course they all are custom made, so he has not many on stock. You can talk with him about details including wood, tonering, inlays, even inlays just for you only. Prices vary.
I don´t have a banjo of him, but he lended me one during the week he made some repairs on my Saga (better tuners and one fret needed to be fixed). It was an original Vega Nr. 3 with Tubaphone tonering which he had given some repairs and a new neck (with neat engravings). You can hear it (played by me) on www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/music.asp?id=5857

[mark]

thanks wolfgang, VERY nice looking banjo and your playing is very sweet too - I especially liked your version of Cripple Creek, the notes were very clear.

[bondolah]

Oops! Didn't mean to cause a stir. Like I said, I'm happy with what I have. Just interested 'n' stuff...

Thanks for the info, Wolfgang!

[Danny]

I wouldn't mind something a 'bit' better than what I've got, but I can't complain at all.