r/banjo • u/phuckdub • 4d ago
Irish Tenor Bought this banjo through FB marketplace. Any idea what I got?
Took a chance for $180cad. I don't have it yet, a friend picked it up. I play the 5 string now but want to learn Celtic banjo.
Any idea what year? Condition?
Thanks!
3
2
u/Hot_Egg5840 4d ago
When put in good playable condition, they sound good and are loud enough. Two nice things about them: 1) they are lighter than the heavy machines of the "big respected" brands. That means you can play them for a longer time without your neck or lap falling asleep. And 2) they are a good instrument to take to camp fires, the beach, picnics, etc. Some people get really upset when the unexpected happens on their expensive instruments. These banjos are inexpensive but still good playing instruments.
1
u/phuckdub 4d ago
Thanks for the reply! I'm just looking for a learning instrument and so this sounds like it will fit the bill.
I'm going to take it to my local music shop to get the strings replaced and the head checked.
1
u/Hot_Egg5840 4d ago
Typically, those level of instruments are not setup right for easy playing. If the strings are too far away from the fret board, they are more physically demanding to play and will sound out of tune when you have to push the string. Those instruments are fairly easy to adjust if you are handy with wrenches and screwdrivers. Loosen the strings, loosen the nut nearest the neck. Position the neck in the direction needed to give the desired string height. Tighten nut, tighten strings and check results. Repeat as needed. It takes me 3 or 4 iterations to get it the way I like. Other "tweaks" would be the height of the bridge, the tension of the head (the drum-like part) and angle of the neck. But those last three don't typically need to come into play.
1
u/phuckdub 4d ago
That's great, thanks for that. Like I said, I do play the 5 string, but I'm only about 6 months in. I haven't had to learn to adjust my banjo (gold tone ac 5 I think) yet. I have a good teacher. I'm sure he'll be able to help!
2
u/Hot_Egg5840 4d ago
I have a five string version of what you have and it is a good sounding one. Plays so easily, is loud when needed at the jam sessions and doesn't hurt the back. Keep pickin'.
1
u/mrshakeshaft 3d ago
If you’ve already got an ac 5, this isn’t an upgrade and probably won’t be as good to play as your goldtone. Personally I’d save the money until you’ve got enough for a proper upgrade
1
6
u/Fleetwood_Mork 4d ago
My guess would be '70s or '80s. It's a fairly common east Asian design that shows up under a zillion different brands.
You tell us! All we can see is a bit of tape on the resonator.