I've been playing clawhammer for a year and half on an Epiphone MB-100. It's a cheapo Korean important, but a really great beginner banjo! In fact, I think it's better than any other beginner banjo (goodtime included) and many other intermediate banjos that I've played. I want to take a step up and buy a banjo in the $1,000 -$2,400 range.
I enjoy playing old time music, but I also like to play banjo for blues and singing accompaniment. I usually play a chordal, rhythmic style (Grandpa Jones) rather than a single note style (Tommy Jarrell). I also prefer a brighter sound, rather than a plunky, old time sound, although I do enjoy playing over the neck sometimes and the occasional 'cluck.'
I haven't played enough banjos to really know what I'm looking for, but here's are some of the characteristics that I do like:
- The versatility of Bart Reiter Round Peake; perfect scoop, good cluckability; nice price
- The woodwork and uniqueness of a custom Doc's Banjo
- The playability and speed of a Wildwood neck; beautiful lacquered finish
- The brightness of a Deering Golden Wreath resonator banjo
- The craftsmanship and attention to detail of an Ome
On the other hand, here are the things that I don't like:
- Bart Reiter: well-rounded, versatile, but not my favorite any one category; not much to look at
- Doc's: I don't find the neck to be very comfortable or 'fast'; the overall sound is a bit too 'old time' and plunky for my taste
- Deering: resonator isn't comfortable in my lap, difficult to thumb over the neck
- Ome: good product but hard to justify the price tag
Other variables such a tone, tone ring, banjo head, and wood type, are hard for me to determine. I feel that the unique set up any particular banjo makes it difficult for me to single out any of these characteristics.
In short, I want to buy a new banjo, but I am overwhelmed by the choices. I've played maybe a dozen banjos at Buffalo Brothers and Old Time Music, here in San Diego, but I haven't found "the one." Can you help in recommending some banjos that might fit some of these qualities?