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 The Steel Guitar Forum
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 Banjo question
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Delvin Morgan Member From: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA |
posted 09 May 2005 04:50 PM
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Hey guys and gals, Ever hear of a Samick Banjo? I have a chance to buy one used, but it looks absolutly brand new, for $400. Is it worth that? Yeah, I know your stand on Banjos, but I have always wanted one, here's my chance. Del ------------------ |
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Delvin Morgan Member From: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA |
posted 09 May 2005 05:20 PM
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It says it is an SB-82, if that helps. |
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Marty Pollard Member From: a confidential source |
posted 09 May 2005 05:37 PM
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Do you want a REAL b@nj0? Or do you want eye candy? Samick makes some beautiful junk... All that engraving and gold plated hardware on the SB4 is deceiving. Tone sux! Take that $400 and add 4 more and buy an Alvarez 4300. Real banjo and best price/value ratio I've seen/heard. Professional grade 5-string with better construction than most of the production Scruggs model Gibsons at 4 times the price. |
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Dyke Corson Member From: Urbana, IL USA |
posted 09 May 2005 07:36 PM
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Marty, do you know who makes the Alvarez? I was under the impression that most of the Alvarez guitars were made by some of the same factories that make the Samick instruments (I think Samick owns a few of the factories over there) - I don't know about the banjos, just curious |
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Dave Mudgett Member From: Central Pennsylvania, USA |
posted 09 May 2005 08:05 PM
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I can't comment on either that Samick or Alvarez model. The Samick factory does make an awful lot of the Korean-made instruments, some of it's good, some not so good, IMO. You might also want to consider a Gold Tone, one of the bluegrass models, like the Bluegrass Special (BG-250F, maple neck, maple rim, mahogany resonator) or the Orange Blossom (OB-250, maple neck, maple rim, maple resonator). They're described at this url: http://www.goldtone.com/products/cat_bluegrassbanjo.asp. The street prices on these are quite reasonable, typically $600-800 new, and they are really good banjos, IMO. They even make the OB-250 in kit form for a substantial savings, and I don't think it's that tough to put together a banjo for the mechanically-inclined. Onstage, I play a Gold Tone EBM electric banjo, I love it. I had a Deering Crossfire for big $$$, this blows that away, IMO. If I was going to buy a new acoustic banjo, I'd probably get an OB-250 kit. I suggest checking out some reviews at http://www.banjohangout.org/reviews/. [This message was edited by Dave Mudgett on 09 May 2005 at 08:06 PM.] |
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Dave Horch Member From: Frederick, Maryland, USA |
posted 10 May 2005 02:46 AM
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We love banjos. Don't forget to buy the mute to go with it (well worth the few extra bucks).   ------------------ [This message was edited by Dave Horch on 10 May 2005 at 02:49 AM.] |
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Steve Hinson Member From: Hendersonville Tn USA |
posted 10 May 2005 04:23 AM
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I have a GoldTone Bluegrass Special...it's a great sounding banjo...none better for the price! |
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Stephen Gambrell Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA |
posted 10 May 2005 05:19 AM
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Check Ebay for old Gold stars, Fenders, ODes, Omes...You'll spend a little more than 400 bucks, but you'll get a lot better banjo. Shoot, for 1500 dollars, I'll sell you my RB-250! |
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Marty Pollard Member From: a confidential source |
posted 10 May 2005 08:49 AM
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I don't know whether the Alvarez and Samick are made in the same factory but the difference is obvious. My wife has both hanging in her shop and I've done the comparison. And yes, I was impressed w/the Goldtones at NAMM last summer. Trust me; if you buy a Samick, you'll regret it sooner than later. Especially when you hear people playing good b@nj0s. But if you've just GOT to have that fake-gold engraved arm-rest, go for it... |
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Per Berner Member From: Skövde, Sweden |
posted 10 May 2005 11:37 PM
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Well, I own an SB3 (no gold, no engravings, but nice inlays, a flamed sycamore resonator and a clear head) and I'm very happy with it. I bought it used at about half price, nicely finished and really good value for money. OK, my more proficient buddy's Gibson banjo sounds better, but so it should - eight times more expensive! |
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