Clawhammer and Frailing Banjos Which to Purchase
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 14:16:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Openback banjo choice
Hi. Greetings Cormac,
I currently have a Goodtime II, my first banjo. I decided pretty early on
that I wanted to play clawhammer, so I want to move up to a good
open-back. I'd like something I can hold onto for a while, and I think a
fairly low action would help me as I learn. While I like clawhammer
playing, I also like the clear sound of a tone ring, so less plunky is
probably better. Finally, I'll be using the banjo on-stage to accompany
myself as part of a stand-up act, so I've been considering a long-neck to
give me more options.
For a clear ring, with less plunkiness, you may find the Gold Tone to your liking...this one has the White Ladye tone ring and seems to offer a lot of clarity on the highs...especially if you opt for the standard frosted head instead of the fiberskyn head it comes with...
The Deering Boston has its own unique voice (non-traditional) that stands unto itself...due to the steel rim serving as the tone ring...
The Wildwood has the Tubaphone tone ring which seems to offer more bass end...I happen to own a Wildwood Heirlloom and mine has lots of thumpy bass end...and, this is what I'm looking for in an open-back...to use for ragtime and classical 3-finger stylings...
For solo accompaniment, the long neck will be far more versatile in pitch range...you'll be better able to find the right lower end keys with the added low-end three frets...and, of course, it can still be a standard 5-string by capoing on the third fret...
Hope this helps...Mickey
Right now, I'm thinking of:
1) Deering Boston long-neck
2) Gold Tone Whyte Lady
3) Wildwood Minstrel (maybe long-neck)
What do you think? Or would you have any other suggestions?
Thanks! Cormac
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 16:22:42 EDT
Subject: for your clawhammer question page
Why is it assumed that clawhammer players should prefer a banjo without a resonator as opposed to bluegrass players? I play clawhammer and old time finger style only, not bluegrass, and I have never owned a banjo with a resonator. However, in the many photos I have seen of traditional players in my 40 years of interest in old time music, I have seen many, many pictures of traditional old time musicians, including world class fraillers like Uncle Dave Macom, playing banjos with resonators.
I have borrowed and played friend's resonator banjos, and my main complaint is that they are too heavy, though that has nothing to do with frailing or whatever, just with my being out of shape, LOL. I notice the bluegrass banjos tend to be wider, etc.,
But why no resonator?
Greetings,
Glad to assist if I can:
Why is it assumed that clawhammer players should prefer a banjo without a resonator as opposed to bluegrass players?
Clawhammer style, or frailing banjo, falls more into a strumming approach. This strumming approach means that many of the strings are played simultaneously. This approach to banjo can create a lot of dissonance, or string reverberation, that can sound quite muddy. With an open-back banjo, the sound is sent from the back of the banjo head right out the back of the banjo...and usually, absorbed by the person playing the banjo. Similar to playing an instrument in a room with carpeting, the sound becomes absorbed somewhat by the player's body and clothes. Yes, there's also sound being emitted from the front of the banjo which of course will travel forward without interference.
Now, if you were to put a resonator on the back of the banjo, you end up with a wall where the sound bounces from...and, continues to bounce all through the resonator well. When strumming, or frailing a resonator banjo, the muddiness can become pronounced due to the hard surface that the vibrations are bouncing around in...when playing bluegrass banjo, or 3-finger styles, there's more distinction between the notes...giving far more clarity to each individual note which is difficult to achieve when frailing a banjo. Therefore, this distinction of clarity will be amplified by the resonator...so that when sound is bounced around within the resonator well, it doesn't sound as muddy. I've discovered this in my attempts to play both styles on many banjo configurations...I could be somewhat off in my theories...however, this is only my own conjecture. I'm sure you'll find other theories for this in your research efforts.
At your disposal, Mickey
Subject: trade in Regal Dobro for Goodtime?
Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 21:28:19 -0700
Hello FOTW
About three years ago I bought a Regal Squareneck Dobro (black finish) from you. I'd like to investigate the possibility of trading it in for either the Deering Goodtime II w/gig bag and accessory kit, or the Deering Goodtime Special w/tone ring.
The Regal is in good shape. There's two little dings on the top, one about 3mm x 1mm and another about 2mm square. I would also trade in the hardshell case that I bought from you as well as the capo and the Tim Mc. instruction video. The case has two small tears in the top lid, neither larger than a penny. If interested, I also have the Great Dobro Sessions CD and the full tab book for said CD.
I think I paid about $575 for the whole deal, and right now you're asking $395 for the Goodtime II banjo/gig bag/accessory kit. You don't list a price for the Goodtime Special. I was curious about the benefit of the tone ring? And would either the Goodtime II or Special be appropriate for playing clawhammer?
What could we work out? I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for your time,
John Matthew
Greetings John,
We'd be more than happy to accommodate you on a trade...
I believe that the Goodtime II, or the Special, would work well for clawhammer technique...however, a resonator banjo is usually designed for 3-finger styles. If you think about it, the clawhammer/frailing approach involves a lot of strumming...this strumming can create quite alot of overtones which in turn, on a resonator banjo is amplified. I believe that's why an open-back banjo is highly desirable in the frailing approach to banjo. The tonal characteristic of clawhammer/frailing is more of a light popping sound which again fits the open-back banjo best.
The tone ring would be beneficial if you're looking for projection...which is especially critical in a Bluegrass setting. Not necessarily as critical in an old-time setting.
Let us know what we can work out for you...we're completely at your disposal...Mickey
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