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Thread: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

  1. #26

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Check this one out

    https://themusicemporium.com/product...-w-carved-heel

    As good as it looks. It sounds twice as amazing.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

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  3. #27
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    I realize this thread is a bit dated, but the OP didn't mention what he's currently playing. Or maybe I missed it. But that would seem a good place to start.
    Ratliff R5 2007, Capek A5 2003, Washburn M5S-SB Jethro Burns 1982, Mid-Mo M-2, Epiphone MM 30 Bk mandolins, Harmony Batwing 1970's, George Bauer bowlback early 1900's Philadelphia.


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  4. #28

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    I believe it was a first banjo he was searching for.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  5. #29
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
    Check this one out

    https://themusicemporium.com/product...-w-carved-heel

    As good as it looks. It sounds twice as amazing.
    How about this one?

    https://themusicemporium.com/product...obson-11-banjo
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  6. #30

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Nice. You rarely see those for sale in a store. They are mostly special orders.

    I watch Will Seeder’s website regularly and found this a few months back: https://seedersinstruments.com/produ...-special-banjo

    Never does a listing say anything but Out of Stock. I should have bought a lottery ticket that day. Great banjo.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  7. #31
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
    I watch Will Seeder’s website regularly and found this a few months back: https://seedersinstruments.com/produ...-special-banjo

    Never does a listing say anything but Out of Stock. I should have bought a lottery ticket that day. Great banjo.
    I actually saw that sold listing when checking out Will’s website after hearing him on an episode of the Get Up in the Cool podcast. He was really impressive as a musician and thoughtful as a builder.

    So have you bagged any other trophies? Is there any other big game that you’re stalking?
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  8. #32

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Now if I told you, ......lol
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

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  10. #33

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Just noticed this thread is still going almost a year later. I ended up playing my Epiphone resonator until the fall then decided to take a chance on a small Canadian builder named Dan Cassells - County Banjo Company out of Prince Edward County. He was great to work with and made recommendations along the way based on the sound I was after. I put the order in in November and the received the banjo in February (about a 3 month build time).

    I ended up with a 12" walnut with rolled brass tonering and Jeff Menzies goat skin head. He uses quality Rickard or Brooks Masten hardware as well (mine is all Rickard). His prices are very reasonable for a custom build, plus I was happy to support a Canadian builder.

    This link should bring it up.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPaMsJh..._web_copy_link

  11. #34
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
    I watch Will Seeder’s website regularly and found this a few months back: https://seedersinstruments.com/produ...-special-banjo

    Never does a listing say anything but Out of Stock. I should have bought a lottery ticket that day. Great banjo.
    I wonder who grabbed this one quickly:

    https://seedersinstruments.com/produ...rass-tone-ring
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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  12. #35
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    That’s some gorgeous maple right there:

    https://themusicemporium.com/product...11-curly-maple
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  13. #36

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    You have to be quick on Will’s site.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  14. #37
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
    You have to be quick on Will’s site.
    And elsewhere. A similar Seeders openback hit the market last Saturday and was snapped up immediately.
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  15. #38

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    > https://themusicemporium.com/product...11-curly-maple

    I don't mean to be negative, but I don't see curly maple
    on that banjo. At least the name does not suggest what
    I see in the photos.

    To me the name "curly maple" suggests something like this.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	11-banjo_barrel.jpg 
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Size:	118.6 KB 
ID:	194277
    Thanks,
    sounds_good

  16. #39
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Are we talking respectfully about banjos, no jokes?

    I've had a Reiter, Ome, and some Rickard tonerings that I was going to put in the Ome. Also played most of the others at Wintergrass or Dusty strings (I think). You shd be happy with any of them, there's others I could recommend, like why not a Gibson from the good years? Best is to try a bunch, feel the neck shape and if the neck heaviness is going to bother you. And then maybe put a hide head on there.

    also, if anybody hasn't read Bill Rickard's story it's really something, like it might change how you see the world https://rickardbanjos.com/pages/bill-s-story
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  17. #40

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by gtani7 View Post
    ...
    also, if anybody hasn't read Bill Rickard's story it's really something, like it might change how you see the world https://rickardbanjos.com/pages/bill-s-story
    That is quite a story. It brings to mind "count your blessings".
    Thanks,
    sounds_good

  18. #41

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by sounds_good View Post
    > https://themusicemporium.com/product...11-curly-maple

    I don't mean to be negative, but I don't see curly maple
    on that banjo. At least the name does not suggest what
    I see in the photos.

    To me the name "curly maple" suggests something like this.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	11-banjo_barrel.jpg 
Views:	76 
Size:	118.6 KB 
ID:	194277
    To me, what you show here is birdseye. Which is much denser than curly or flamed.

    And yes, Bill Rickard is quite an inspiration. And despite the loss of his arm and leg in that accident he’s still looking for a way to get back on a motorcycle.

    As for Seeders, things move very quickly. And many change hands without advertisement.

    As for installing a hide head, that’s an acquired taste and brings with it it’s own issues. I’ve come to the conclusion that if you want to play banjo you can’t be squeamish about doing your own instrument maintenance.
    Last edited by Mandobar; May-23-2021 at 5:30am.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  19. #42
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
    As for Seeders, things move very quickly. And many change hands without advertisement.
    Is there a secret knock or password I need to learn for the speakeasies and dark alleys where these instruments are changing hands?
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  20. #43
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    pheff, when they look thru the little slot to see who's knocking they will be able to see the mandolin nerd. You may need a disguise.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  22. #44
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    pheff, when they look thru the little slot to see who's knocking they will be able to see the mandolin nerd. You may need a disguise.
    Can’t I be an equal opportunity nerd?
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  24. #45
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Another thing, Ome makes a couple budget lines, Ute and I can't remember the other but you can ask Denver Folklore

    https://www.denverfolklore.com/shop/...ents/Banjo.htm

    And Cedar Mtn 's worth considering, I came close to ordering one https://www.cedarmtnbanjos.com/produ...y/jubilo-line/

    And there's Mike Ramsey, who was a friend of Bart Rieter's, made some great banjos and some sort of problematic ones, it's .. a really long story but you'll see his regularly come up in banjohangout classifieds
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  25. #46
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Bart Reiter has retired.

  26. #47

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by Lappy View Post
    Bart Reiter has retired.
    Again
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  27. #48

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Is there a secret knock or password I need to learn for the speakeasies and dark alleys where these instruments are changing hands?
    You are hanging out on the wrong forum. It’s like scouting out mandolins on a guitar forum.

    I just received a banjo I ordered from Aaron Keim last year (he’s taking orders now for banjos and ukes to be delivered 2/2022). Top notch. Great North American woods (curly cherry and pistachio). The tone ring is Texas ebony (yes from the Texas/Mexico border) which he has a limited supply of. Great banjo. Just under $2000 shipped with a hard case. Aaron bought a lot of Wildwood banjos equipment and wood supply.

    Ute banjos are being built by Chuck Osgood’s grandson, from what I understand.

    There are lots of active builders, all with backlogs, some with day jobs so their output is limited. There’s Buckeye and Quail Creek, and I’m sure many more out there. Will Seeders’ custom list is closed, but occasionally he lists spec banjos for sale.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

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  29. #49
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    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by gtani7 View Post
    And Cedar Mtn 's worth considering, I came close to ordering one https://www.cedarmtnbanjos.com/produ...y/jubilo-line/
    Are the current Cedar Mountain banjos made by Tim Gardner regarded any more or less highly than the earlier Lo Gordon builds?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandobar View Post
    You are hanging out on the wrong forum. It’s like scouting out mandolins on a guitar forum.
    I got the sense, perhaps erroneously, that you were suggesting these transactions were taking place off forum, regardless of which one.
    Last edited by pheffernan; May-24-2021 at 7:27pm.
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  30. #50

    Default Re: Open Back / Old Time Banjos - Comparisons to Mando Builders

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Are the current Cedar Mountain banjos made by Tim Gardner regarded any more or less highly than the earlier Lo Gordon builds?



    I got the sense, perhaps erroneously, that you were suggesting these transactions were taking place off forum, regardless of which one.
    Some, but BanjoHangout is a good place to start. That and a variety of Patreon sites and the banjo festivals, workshops, etc.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

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