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Subject: 12-string banjitar
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 12:59:56 +0200

Mickey...

Greetings Eric,

Great to hear from you...

I've greatly enjoyed the FOTW site for several years now. Your site inspired me to pick up the mandolin about three years ago! I am looking at possibly picking up the Gold Tone Banjitar GT-1200 now. I have been playing guitar for fourteen years now, and my tastes have transformed from a metal-head Metallica wanna-be on a Gibson Flying V back in 1990, to the MUCH better stylings of Gillian Welch and Damien Rice on my Martin D-28. I guess I mellowed out over the years a little bit :) 

Thanks for the kind words...it inspires me that I can be somewhat of a good influence...

My questions are:

1. How does the tone of a 12-string Banjitar compare to a 12-string acoustic guitar? 

These are quite different in most respects. You'll find that the banjitar has a very fast decay...it doesn't have the sustain of a regular acoustic guitar. Now, this means that you'll want to reorient yourself to the banjitar...you'll want to arrange for the banjitar with its innate tonal characteristics. And, another thing to keep in mind is that a 12-string acoustic guitar works well as a back-up strumming instrument; the banjitar does not. The banjitar can begin to sound quite muddy when attempting to strum chords for back-up purposes. It works quite a bit better as a fingerstyle instrument. My suggestion would be to fingerpick the banjitar as opposed to strumming with a flatpick. A flatpick works well if you arpeggiate the chords or play leads on the banjitar.

2. I've seen that the GT-1200 comes equipped w/ a pick-up. I would be plugging it into a Fender Acoustasonic SFX amplifier or directly into the sound system at my church through a Countryman 85 DI box. How does the tone sound when it's amplified?

It sounds fine...only, you'll want to be carefull and turn down the treble...and again, stay away from strumming for the notes will reverberate.

3. I have a little concern that perhaps the clear banjo head might be a little too much treble tone for a band context (I also play in a four-piece acoustic band... mostly coffee-house kind of music). How does the frosted head affect the tone, and is it possible to have the heads switched out before a purchase is actually made?

I personally prefer the clear head on these banjitars. It seems to add more clarity to the tonal range. I'm sure that's why Gold Tone went with the clear head as a standard option.

4. I also play a Fender Telecaster. I plan on learning some banjo techniques and rolls, but would be primarily using this to add some sonic texturing. Would the ES Banjitar be an easier transition into the banjo tone realm than the leap into 12-string bajo world? The ES looks a lot like my telecaster!

The ES would work better if you're only planning on plugging in...if you ever have a plan to play acoustically, I'd go with the GT-1200...The ES has less reverberation problem and less feedback issues...

So, that's it for now I guess. I also plan on purchasing one of your videos with the banjo. Thank you for your dedication to quality music and quality customer service. Your love for music is very obvious. Peace in Christ...

You're most welcome...and, thanks for the inspiring words. Be sure to get with me on anything else you might need.

BTW, you might want to check out the video samplers on the Deering Crossfire to get an idea of how the ES will perform both plugged in and acoustically. (Linked from below)...Mickey


V/R
SPC Eric Warner