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Subject: Iida banjo question
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 19:41:09 -0700

mickey-

How do you feel about the Iida model 223 as a starter banjo, and what would be a reasonable price used (and somewhat neglected, in need of new tuners, strings, and some other minor repairs)?

thanks

Josiah

Greetings Josiah,

I'm not too sure about the 223 model...and cannot give you a good price to pay.

Most Iidas make great student banjos...you only need it set up right by a repair person who knows banjos...and, at the very least, you will then have a decent student model banjo to play on...

Some of the earlier model Iidas are quite a bit nicer than the current models.

Good luck in your research efforts...Mickey

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Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2003 20:08:37 EST
Subject: Iida Question

Could you tell me the difference between the new Iida 232 and their old 235. As I understand the new ones have a wooden tone ring as opposed to a metal. Doesn't seem that the sound would be as crisp.
Thank You

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:
The only references I've found to the new 232 shows that it does have a die-cast tone ring mounted to a wood rim...this is common for import banjos claiming to include a tone ring...these usually being die-cast tone rings. Where did you find a reference that these have wooden tone rings? Now, if it does have a wooden tone ring, it wouldn't necessarily have a tone that's worse than a die-cast metal tone ring...only different. I believe you're correct in estimating that is wouldn't be as crisp a tone. However, if fitted well, a wooden tone ring has a unique woody tone...softer and sweeter...great for certain styles such as frailing or old-time...definitely not cut out for bluegrass.

Sincerely, Mickey


The best reference I've ever found on Asian banjos is linked from:

http://www.paulhawthorne.com/asianbanjos2.html

"Iida - pronounced EE-da. It is a man's name with one pronunciation, though sometimes read as Jida or Aida; the script I looks like an A or J. This is a change from what I previously had here, but a Pedro Martinez has been reported with the words IIDA PATENT stamped in the aluminum pot just to nail the point home; weird since I think Ode, Stewart Macdonald and someone in the 1920's whom I don't recall at the moment (Lange? Ludwig?) also did it first.) - Been around since the 70's. Full line then, from entry to typical mastertone replica, model 235/ 240 were higher quality ones. They offered a 6 string banjo ala the Sonny Osborne/ JD Crowe motif in the early 80's; 5 long strings with an extra low one below the D and the regular shorter 5th string now being the 6th, still tuned to high g. There is one offered on the Elderly Instruments site as of 9-9-03. There was also a lefty at one time. Current masterclone banjos are very similar to Epiphone or Samick, but cost 50% more."

Paul Hawthorne is a published author...be sure to check out his book at http://www.elderlyinstruments.com

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Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 22:32:38 -0500
Subject: Iida banjo

I have an Iida banjo that I bought new around 1980. I was told it had a bell brass tone ring, and it is pretty heavy. I have tried to find the one I have on the internet but with out success. The inlays on the neck are different than what I see on the internet. It says Iida est. 1958. There is two very close together and very thin white inlayed rings on the back of it. On the back of the neck it says, 233 - mo3050. It is in very good condition, I am wondering what I have and what it may be worth. Thanks for any information you can send my way. 
Roger Nicholson

Greetings Roger,

The earlier Iida is a higher grade import banjo...and, yes, I believe the '80s model did have a tone ring...they're comparable to the Alvarez made in the 70s-80s...not today's Alvarez...in fact, all of the earlier model banjo imports were mostly higher grade as compared to imports being made today (with the exceoption of a few being made in Korea)...and, therefore, yours should have a decent value to it...from 400-500 I would believe...be aware, this is only a guesstimation (it could be slightly more...and, maybe even less)...

I hope this helps...Mickey

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