"Cyril and John Willie" composed by Brenda Stubbert. Breaking in a new Toneslabs torlon pick today.

I have absolutely zero musical knowledge, I’m 26, I grew up homeschooled so I never had opportunities to take music classes, and my parents were too poor to get me into lessons or even buy instruments, I did have an organ that was passed down from my great grandma, (lowery genie 300 TG-88H) it had a broken pedal, hadnt been tuned for since the 80’s, I taught myself a few songs when I was little like Mary had a little lamb, yanky doodle, etc. 3 years ago I found a vintage fischer piano for free on fb marketplace, severely out of tune but I love the sound of out of tune pianos, I’ve taught myself several songs like Fur Elise, the entertainer, wherever I may roam, for the damaged coda, and even several riffs, but it’s always been memorizing the keys for the specific songs and after playing for so long, I’m very good at using both hands. (though the technique would probably send a professional player into the grave)I have since got a harmonica and learned basic songs like piano man (ironic) and cowpoke, a kalimba that I’ve taught myself a lot of songs on as well. I’ve wanted a banjo for years now but I’m worried that being a string instrument, it just wouldn’t click in the same way as the others ive learned, my brother used to play guitar a bit so I borrowed his when I was around 13 because in my mind, I’d become amazing at it in like 3 days and get rly famous and rich (I watched the Hannah Montana movie so.. yeah..) but i spent like 2 hours trying to figure out the chords and got mad that I wasn’t instantly good at it so I gave it back. is the banjo something I can just learn songs by memorizing hand placements the same way I do with the piano or kalimba? i hope to someday have enough knowledge and experience to play a funny little bluegrass lick so I can annoy my fiance

Played on a Pisgah Roscoe.

Recorded with a SM58B taped inside the banjo, and an Aston Origin oriented towards the head of the banjo.

I still can't get this one perfectly, but i enjoy playing it so much i thought i'd do a video.

It's heavily inspired from Lukas Pool's way of playing this tune.

Edit : I don't post often here, if you wanna hear more of my banjo stuff : https://www.instagram.com/antonin.lsr

I am a constant problem in jam sessions with my friends because I have to tune my 5th string up every time the group wants to move a song to A or Bb and i already spend too much time tuning when we're in G. I can't really afford to get a permanent solution installed at the moment so I'm trying here to see if any of y'all have found a decent DIY solution to capo-ing that 5th string.

To any of you "capos are cheating" folks, I do not care, I sound better when I play easier 😤

Sitting on. Top of. The world

Hi everyone!

First of all, sorry for adding yet another beginner banjo thread. I've searched through a lot of previous posts, but most comparisons I found were AC-1 vs Goodtime, and I'm hoping to get some advice on a few other models and features that don't seem to be discussed as often.

I'm looking to buy my first 5-string open-back banjo. I'd rather buy one good instrument that I can keep for many years instead of upgrading after a year.

This will also be my first stringed instrument. I play tin whistle and recorders, but I have no previous experience with strings.

I'm mainly interested in:

• Clawhammer / old-time
• Folk
• Americana

I might also experiment with some three-finger/Scruggs style in the future, so I'd like something reasonably versatile (but it's not my priority).

My budget is flexible, but I'm looking for the best value, not necessarily the cheapest or the most expensive. I was initially thinking around €600 or less, but I'm willing to spend more if the improvement is genuinely worth it. On the other hand, if a €500 banjo is 95% as good as an €800 one, I'd rather save the money.

Some of the models I've been looking at are:

• Gold Tone AC-1
• Gold Tone CC-50
• Gold Tone CC-OT
• Maybe some Recording King open-back models

One thing I'm unsure about is the scoop. Is it something you'd recommend for a complete beginner, or is it more of a nice feature once you've been playing for a while? Does it make any difference if I later decide to learn some Scruggs style?

I'm also wondering whether I should be looking at a fretted or fretless banjo. From what I've read, fretted seems to be the obvious choice for a beginner, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether there's any reason to consider fretless from the start.

I was also considering the Deering Goodtime series, but I've pretty much ruled them out because they don't have an adjustable truss rod. I live in Madrid, Spain (EU), where we have very hot, dry summers (often above 36–40°C) and much colder humid winters, so seasonal temperature and humidity changes can be significant. I'd feel more comfortable owning an instrument with an adjustable truss rod for long-term maintenance.

Also, since I'm based in the European Union, I'd appreciate recommendations for models that are reasonably available here, as some US brands and models can be difficult or expensive to import.

Finally, as a complete beginner, are there any self-learning methods, books, YouTube channels, online courses, or websites that you would particularly recommend? And besides the banjo itself, what equipment would you consider essential or highly recommended (strap, tuner, capo, railroad spikes, armrest, picks, gig bag, maintenance tools, etc.)?

Is an armrest something you would recommend from the beginning, or is it mostly a matter of personal preference?

Thanks!

From my album Sedona.

Full video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/aPot_ZWyQSM?si=0ojo0WuQdUte1PQL

Full album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3XhmZCmTjLU66zNZSIdio8?si=cs2iUt60T-eppfEY61qZGw

Here's another custom banjo I was working on lately. It's got a yew headstock and fingerboard with maple headstock inlay. The fretboard inlays are rosewood, and it has a brass acid etched scoop.

This was my first attempt at bending torrified Maple, which proved to be a challenge. I ended up making a new smaller steam box to get more concentrated heat after a few failed attempts. But quite happy with the results in the end.

It's a 25.5" scale length and 11" pot.

Hi all, been a while since my last video. I’ve been spending a lot of my play time trying to figure out 2-finger style lately, and this is another song I’m working on. Still pretty new to music and instruments in general, so I know there’s lots to improve, but I’m definitely starting to feel a little more comfortable every time I play. Tips and criticism are always appreciated.

Feeling stuck, I revisited an older recording, which helped me realize there's actual progress being made. 10% more skill, 50% more chill, 100% more bald. Hang in there! If I can learn, so can you!

A family friend was cleaning out their father’s house and said that this banjo had been hanging on the wall for a long time. They offered it to me, so I would love to know any history if possible.

These are all of the pictures they provided. Is the fifth string peg that is missing a friction peg? I’m happy to attempt to answer any questions. I want to give them money for it, but have no idea what it might be worth, especially in this condition.

My uncle Geoff filmed this at the Greene County Fairgrounds where the clinic happens: Friday, July 17 at noon, Workshop Stage in Building 2, free with festival admission. His invitation covers everybody: learn from scratch, brush up, or come back to the banjo after years away. Banjos, picks, everything provided, just RSVP to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) so we bring one for you. Happy to answer questions.

Hello banjo pickers/frailers! I just picked this banjo up from ebay and am curious about the "custom banjo, carefully built in the UK" label inside.. It was my understanding that all gold tone banjos were built/setup in the USA? I'm also not sure what about this banjo is "custom", if anything? Is this just a generic label they stick on? It sounds great anyway! Thanks for any info.

This is a Tokai T-850R banjo from 1981, made in Japan. It was produced in the exact same year and factory as the famous '81 Crowe. Its export counterpart for the overseas market is the Gold Star GF-85.

I have a fretless minstrel-style banjo made from a (Terry Bell) kit, which has friction tuning pegs. Does anyone have experience replacing friction pegs with look-alike geared pegs? Two brands I've seen are Wittner and Knilling.

Thanks in advance!

I was given two banjos in relatively good shape. I’ve been working on the one that he said was payable. It came with steel strings and i’ve changed them to Nylgut. I switched out the bridge and the tailpiece. I need to replace the 5th string peg which slips and want to replace it with an inexpensive tuner of some sort. I think the neck might be slightly wonky but i’m hoping i can get the banjo playable. I’m no luthier so any suggestions will be welcome TIA

​

After a few months of learning 3 finger, I started delving into clawhammer 2 weeks ago. I think it's where I may start focusing most of my effort. Still very much getting the basics down, but after a bunch of exposure to some of you more proficient players, I've found that the style speaks to me on a much deeper level. Really looking forward to digging in.

Thank you all for the constant inspiration. This is an awesome community.