"Yes, just about any banjo mute that touches the bridge has the same impact on the sound. The only one that really makes a very different sound is the Gibson "Wrist Action" mute, which is like running your banjo thru a phazer or flanger.…"
Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
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Trapdoor2
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- Little River, SC
- United States
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Trapdoor2's Discussions
The Trouble Maker Rag, by Claude Messenger
1 Reply
Started this discussion. Last reply by Steve Harrison Apr 24.
The Terriers March...is it really a Morley arrangement?
24 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Trapdoor2 Mar 14.
Halloween banjo for halloween tunes...
2 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Trapdoor2 Sep 11, 2025.
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Frosty Mug of Beer
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T-Bone Steak
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Slice of Birthday Cake
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From Rob MacKillop
Trapdoor2's Page
Latest Activity
"It is surprisingly adjustable. The corks fit in brass sleeves, which are very lightly spring loaded into the threaded "cans". So, you can turn the cans in and out individually. The mechanism's spring is pretty light by itself, but the…"
"Here's some pix of the Expression Stop mounted (and it works!). I had to make a clamp bar, as the original metal one had been lost. So, about an hour ago, I made this one out of a scrap of Ebony fretboard. I used the advertisement that Joel had…"
"Oddly enough, the Dallas publication has a conflict in the TRIO repeats (voltas) between the 1st and 2nd banjo parts. One would only notice when playing as a duo (of course) and correcting it was pretty easy. If anyone wants a corrected copy (or Tab…"
"What a fine rag and an equally fine arrangement, it's a new one to me..Steve."
"What? Not printing German silver yet?
Maybe next month... ;-)"
"Joel, I would like to try one of the SSS style thimbles, if you make some. I'm currently using a mizrab-type from Canada that suits me nicely for steel string stuff.
The Expression Stop uses 10-32 threads, so that is no problem. I'll have…"
"Well! Less than a month later, the "Expression Stop" has arrived!
Only two missing bits: the nut which holds the lever arm extension to the lever and the plate which clamps the whole unit to the dowel stick. A nut should be easy to find…"
Profile Information
MARC SMITH
I was raised by a pack of wolves, deep in the forests of Nawthern Alabama...
Ok, perhaps not. I'm told we were a "normal" family...if having an airplane in your garage (sometimes running the engine in the front yard) is normal. We did finish restoring it (a J-3C Piper Cub) and I soloed in it, etc.
I'm an engineering type, working on spare parts for Helicopter stuff, 8 to 5, weekdays. My wife, the inimitable Miz Diane also works with the Helicopter groups, albeit in the contracting and acquisitions end.
I have been playing the banjo since 1979, when I was taught "Cripple Creek" (Scruggs Style) by my now longtime friend, Patrick Camp. Although I started out on the Bluegrass end of things, one of the first tunes I learnt was an 1877 arrangement of "Spanish Fandango" published in "Banjo Newsletter" in the late 1970's. It was another 10 yrs before I attempted another Classic Banjo tune (or even knew what one was).
In 1992, I attended the "Tennessee Banjo Institute" in Lebanon, TN...meeting the likes of Clarke Buehling, Bill Morris, Chris Sands and Eli Kaufman...and listening to them play Classic Banjo. Their performances (and the cassettes I purchased from them) led me down the crooked path of the Classic banjo from then until now.
I have a lot of hobbies...but most have gone by the wayside for Banjo stuff. I have been collecting Banjo Sheet music since the 1980's and have scads of it stashed in boxes in my "music room", along with quite a few banjos...some vintage, some new, some 4-string, mostly 5-string, some are just banjos I got for a song.
I have been actively procuring the materials and equipment to produce my own banjos when I retire. I recently purchased the estate of a local luthier who specialized in producing somewhat illicit reproductions of a well-known banjo manufacturer. Lots of tools and bits and a huge pile of great wood. I've been woodworking since I was a kid and I've started several banjos...discovering my great talent is not finishing projects. ;-)
I have recently adopted the motto of John Steinbeck: Ad Astra Per Alas Porci. Seems to fit me!
===Marc
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Sylvester L. Ossman info
Somehow, I cannot post a .pdf file to the ongoing discussion, so I'll post it here.
This is the US Census record for Sylvester Ossman, Musician, for 1910. It shows the full family at the time, including Sylvester Jr.
They were living in Palisades Park, New Jersey.
Posted on December 6, 2015 at 18:44
"Carry On" by Alfred Kirby, MIDI and TAB
Here's the MIDI and TAB for "Carry On", complete with Mike's "Intro".
Ian, please put these in their proper place...should you be inclined to do so.
===Marc
Posted on September 3, 2012 at 22:41 — 2 Comments
1880's/1890's banjo sheet music "in da house"
I nicked a box full of crumbly old sheet music offa ebay a week or so ago. Paid about $0.80 ea with shipping. See attached list for the titles, etc.
All of this stuff is American, pre 1900 and in A notation. Amazingly, not many duplicates (whew!) for me. Sure, some obvious ones like Darkey's Awakening, On The Mill Dam, Queen of the Forest, etc. However, there are a couple of previously unknown publishers (two female!) and nearly the entire output of a previously unknown (to me) New…
ContinuePosted on August 8, 2012 at 1:54 — 4 Comments
A shot rang out...!
Yesterday, I drove 2.5 hrs up to the Nashville, TN area for BUW (Breaking Up Winter). BUW is an Old-Time festival that has been held the first weekend in March for the past 15 or so years at a small State Park in Lebanon, TN (Cedars Of Lebanon State Park, no less).
This "festival" (it is really just an excuse to gather OT players and have an extended jam) is one of those places where you meet old friends, play a lot of music and unwind. I usually take a pile of banjos and spend a bit…
ContinuePosted on March 4, 2012 at 16:04 — 2 Comments
Comment Wall (27 comments)
- At 23:13 on January 2, 2009,
Carl Anderton said…
- Glad you joined, Marc. Mighty impressive lookin' line-up of banjars there.
- At 22:06 on January 7, 2009,
- Did I see that you have a tab for Heliotrope Bouquet? I'd LOVE to take a crack at that!
- At 21:09 on February 15, 2009,
Ray Jones said…
- Hi Marc.
We didn't record that track during the heat wave. As a matter of fact I found it in the attic! ( would you believe )
Regards Ray
- At 15:09 on April 6, 2009,
Eric STEFANELLI said…
- Hi Marc !
Good to know you're in this web bjo group!
My friends Marc D. and Ray J. told me about it.
I was not dead but very busy and moved to another country, i've time now for sharing goodle bjo music on the web again, i had some news from you here and there. I've many clips to put on this site, but a little time to do that, i will try to put some next weeks.
- At 6:11 on May 12, 2009,
- Thanks for pointing that out Marc, I enjoyed listening to it. May I add my congrats to Gavin on his rendition. Beautifully done, and with picks if I'm not mistaken. This puts you up there with the best of 'em Gavin. Keep at it.
- At 23:46 on May 12, 2009,
Adam said…
- Hi Marc ... I really like your video of Sunflower Dance ... Can you point me in the direction for finding the sheet music for that tune? Tab would work too.
Thanks very much,
Best,
Adam
- At 5:06 on May 13, 2009,
- Thanks very much!
- At 5:16 on September 27, 2009,
- I have a couple of Mandolin Solos. Ninon by Ellis. Manhattan Cakewalk by Ellis and The Stars and Stripes Forever by you know who. Ray
- At 8:43 on October 15, 2009,
- Calm down mate, you'll have a siezure if you are not careful. You may be surprised to learn that there could have been as many as 5 or 6 blokes named Ernest Jones living in Wales at the time, and a few Ernest Smith's as well, I shouldn't wonder.
- At 20:24 on October 15, 2009,
- Oh, I see!!! I didn't realise that you were talking about " THE " John Smith, that's a different thing altogether. Best Wishes to thee.
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