r/banjo

Missing a string but I’m an experienced bassist so I know how to change it I think… good starter banjo for the price?

My ex left so many things behind that he no longer wants, including this neat banjo that apparently belonged to his grandfather’s (whom he never met and also doesn’t have a good relationship with his father). I play the flute and piano, so I won’t play this banjo, but I’d like to sell it to someone who will appreciate it. Could someone please give me an idea of what would be fair? I’m gather funds to leave as he left myself and my kiddos in a less than ideal situation.

I know they are frankensteins and not true Gibson parts for most of them but for the right price would they be worth it? They look like they were restored well. Just wondering other’s opinions/thoughts.

(Reposting from a Banjo Hangout post I made): I’m looking to begin the process of listing my used Nechville Classic LC for sale. I purchased it used from a friend who bought it new from Nechville around 2012. I live in NY, in a very non-banjo heavy area. I’ve never attempted to sell an acoustic instrument of such high value and I’m somewhat at a loss of where to start. It’s obviously a wonderful banjo from a reputable manufacturer. Not exactly a beginner’s banjo. And not exactly a common style, either. I play an Ome now that I’ve fallen in love with, and I’d love to part with this Nechville and use that sale to purchase a used Martin guitar. Anyway… any & all advice on how/where to start listing would be highly highly appreciated!!

This deering banjo I have has a broken drone string “peg.” (I’m a beginner, so I’m not too familiar with the correct word). When the drone string was on it, it would only buzz because the thing that holds it in place was gone. Is this repairable?

Woke up to my banjo head broken, looks pretty clean, does it look fixable to yall?

Hey y'all! I'm new to the banjo community and my knowledge of banjos is pretty minimal. I'm currently learning clawhammer on an epiphone mb100 cheap banjo and found this beautiful looking stick online. I'm mostly curious on who made this banjo, if it's anygood (especially compared to my current rig), and what you would pay for it (given what you can see in the pictures)? Anything I should look for if I decide to go check it out that compromises playability? Could it be a clone of something nice? If it matters, I do plan on sticking with clawhammer style. Not going to share the listed price for an unbiased opinion on price. Thanks much everyone!

Edit: Seller information - 5 string mahogany banjo, silver bell tone ring, and internal resonator

I came into an old Fairbanks/Vega Style M (Tu-Ba-Phone) tenor. The serial number and headstock inlay places it around 1921-1923 but I haven't nailed down its birthday yet (https://www.deeringbanjos.com/en-ca/pages/vega-banjo-serial-numbers suggests it's 1921). The serial numbers are also in kinda rough shape so it makes me raise an eyebrow.

It's 17 frets of goodness, and if I've measured the scale length correctly, this puppy is small - 19 3/4 inches (I measured 9 7/8 inches from the inside of the nut to the 12th fret) and then it's pretty close to 20 inches where I have the bridge right now trying to get this thing in tune. Usually I'm seeing these things at around 21 inch scale length so I'm a little surprised to see my little guy come up so short. I found out that other 17 fret short scales (like the Gold Tone IT-250 https://goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/instruments/it-250) come in at 19 3/4 inches so maybe it's not so weird?

Anyway. Oddities aside, I want to put new strings on this thing. It's in GDAE (Irish) tuning. Any consderations for what gauges I should put on one this short? I'm considering the D'Addario EJ63i (12/16/24/36) but I'm open to recommendations. Thanks!

I’ve been making gourd banjos over the last year. It’s been a fun and rewarding.

Figured I’d show off my work! Here’s banjo #6, #7, and #8.

These three are currently ready for a new home.