UPDATED 04/18/07

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Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 19:31:53 -0500
Subject: Re: open back banjo

Mickey:

Greetings Jill,

I am just beginning to play, and started with a Johnson. It is extremely
light, and I find myself struggling with it because the fretboard tends to
fall over, even with a strap. I realize I need a heavier banjo with better
balance so it will stay put when I take my fingers off the fretboard. I
don't know how much mine weighs, but not much. I remember talking with a
banjo player last year, and he said to be sure I get one that is HEAVY. I
didn't pay attention.

What differentiates a heavy open-back from a light one, would be whether it has a solid tone ring or not...You'll be somewhat safe if you invest in an open-back with a brass tone ring...it would add plenty of weight to anchor the bottom portion of your banjo so that the neck will not feel top heavy.

I've been looking around on the internet, and only saw one that mentions
weight: 13 lbs.
I would welcome suggestions. I need to balance price with performance of
the instrument, but do want an instrument that is appealing and comfortable.

If you're looking for an affordable open-back, with tone ring, you might consider a Gold Tone White Ladye...if you're looking for a pro-level open-back, consider the Vega no.2 or the Wildwood Minstrel...I personally own a Wildwood Heirloom and will never need another open-back for the rest of my life...

Mickey

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Subject: Banjo question
Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2002 10:46:56 -0400

Hello,

I have decided to learn the banjo and am now researching what banjo I should
purchase. I am looking at the Gold Tones and have a question about one of
their options. What is a Cutaway fingerboard and is this something that I
should consider. Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you,

John Shutko

Greetings John,

The cutaway fingerboard is a strum well essentially...it serves to allow the player to frail closer to the neck/body joint for a sweeter tone.

When playing closer to the bridge, an open-back banjo with have a crisp bright tone; when playing closer to the neck, this very same banjo would have a softer mellow tone...the strum well allows a deeper attack on the strings without the transient noise of hitting the fingerboard...

If you're looking at a resonator banjo, the cutaway option wouldn't serve purpose as it does on an open-back. A resonator banjo would be played with fingerpicks and is commonly used in bluegrass settings.

Hope this helps, Mickey

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Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2001 19:03:09 -0700
Subject: Strumwell

Why do some otherwise attractive open-back banjos (Chanterelle)
sacrifice frets to a frailing scoop, so called? The gaps as illustrated
on web sites like Ramsey's or Elderly's look like missing teeth.

The frailing scoop, or strum well, is similar to what they incorporate in dulcimers. When frailing a 5-string, there's a wide disparity between the tonal quality by the bridge and up towards the fingerboard. Most players are satisfied with the softer tones gained up to where the neck meets the rim. Some players, who are looking for an even softer tone, will scoop out the neck so that they can play well into the fingerboard area. This is only player's preferences...

Tonal Differences:
Close to the Bridge: a bright crisp tone can be achieved...highest volume
Between the Bridge and Fingerboard: a balanced even tone (not too crisp and not too soft)
Close to the Fingerboard: a soft tone with more sustain...lower volume
Above the Fingerboard (with a strum well): an even softer tone...mellower and not as loud


These questions matter, as I may upgrade. I've been learning from your
encyclopedic website since ordering accessories last spring. Your FAQ's
and videos demonstrate dramatic differences of tone between banjos.
Another data point: when a friend in the Utah Old-Time Fiddlers picks
her Iida (with resonator) in a trio, at a range of five yards, I can't
hear it.

This is more than likely due to the instrument not having a bell brass tone ring...tone rings are critical to both tonal quality and especially to projection and volume.

Hope the above helps...feel free to submit further questions...Mickey

Sincerely,
D. Leining
Salt Lake City, UT

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Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001 18:50:30 EDT
Subject: Re: Price on Deering/Vega Little Wonder Open-Back Banjo

Dear Bryan and Mickey,
Thanks for the information. I currently have a 5 string Framus w/
resonator, but not only is the sound not plunky, but the weight is difficult
for me to manage.
I did have a question: how does the Vega Little Wonder stack up to the
Saga SS-10 or the Gold Tone CC-100 for someone who is strictly an amateur? Is it worth the extra investment, or is it mainly the name, or what? Also, what's the advantage or disadvantage of getting Planetary tuners instead of
guitar tuners? Thanks for the info. Dave

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Greetings Dave,

The Vega Little Wonder is more of a basic open-back...notice the guitar tuning machines...great banjo...The Vega #2 does offer pro features such as planetary style tuning pegs. If you can afford it, the Vega #2 is definitely the better choice.

The Saga SS-10 is a great value...one of my personal favorites...love the inlay...and it does offer the planetary style tuning pegs.

The Gold Tone CC-100 is another great value...but does have some compromises such as the guitar tuning machines.

Planetary tuners are a traditional feature for a banjo. They are easier to tune since they protrude from the back of the peghead; they are fast and direct. Although it's not an issue with open-back players, many Scruggs tunes cannot be played without Planetary tuners such as Randy Lynn Rag...etc.

Mickey

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Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 16:54:32 -0400
Subject: Open Back Tub-a-phones

Mickey:

This may be a tough question but I haven't had the opportunity to play
many banjos. I have a Wildwood Minstrel and I do like it.
I want to upgrade and am considering the Deering Vega 2. But its really
pricey. Is it worth a try or should I stick with Wildwood?

-Just want an opinion from someone knowledgeable. Pete

Greetings, Well I'd love to sell you a Vega (And, Deering, who now owns the Vega name, makes a banjo without compromise...be sure to check out our Vega #2 video sampler...what a powerful banjo with a full sound?!!), but honestly, although it's a tremendous banjo in itself, you would do fine sticking to your Wildwood Minstrel Tub-a-Phone...I, personally, own a Wildwood Heirloom and really love the fat sound that I can achieve with it (especially for classical and ragtime 3-finger styles)...maybe if you wanted to experiment with a long-neck Vega, it would be worth having two open-backs, otherwise, you currently have a banjo that will do anything you'd ever want...in my humble opinion. Mickey

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Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 00:40:21 -0600
Subject: Banjo Questions Resonator vs. Openback

Love to see a better picture of your SS-10 old time banjo; maybe your catalogue will provide that. I am seriously searching for a new banjo to purchase but am having troubles deciding! What would be the advantages for and against an open back model verses a resonator style? Is the neck on the ss-10 maple like the rim? Looking foreward to the arrival of all this neat information; thankyou so much. Jim 


Hello Jim,

Your decision on whether to purchase an Open-Back or Resonator banjo should be pre-determined by the style of music you intend to play...certainly other factors come into play such as weight, size, ease of playability, aesthetics, etc. Even so, what style of music you intend to play would be the determining factor. An open-back banjo is great for traditional Appalachian application and certain styles and approaches such as frailing and clawhammer...A resonator banjo is great for bluegrass styles where volume and projection is a concern...

The SS-10 offer all-maple construction...we also have many other all-maple openbacks such as: the Gold Tone MC-150 and CC-150 or the Deering Goodtime Models...I do love the SS-10's aesthetics...inlays and overall style...

Now, if you're hoping to play bluegrass, you'll most definitely want a resonator banjo...within this body style, the best value would be the Gold Tone series...
Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can assist you with anything else...
Mickey Cochran

Email: info@folkofthewood.com