Looking for opinions on this Gatcomb

[Adam Tracksler]

Bernunzio has this on sale, and it looks pretty nice.

https://bernunzio.com/product/gatcomb-model-25-30696/

I'm currently using an Iida Bluegrass banjo, which is okay, but I don't want to bother putting nylon strings on it since putting the new nuts on would be a PITA when I go to sell it; I'm sure the number of people who want a starter banjo with a classic setup is about 0.

I would love to hear your views and opinions.

[Jody Stecher]

It looks nice and the price is low. My only concern is the short scale. Only 25 inches.  That is very short. You might  have to use heavier strings than normal  to avoid a floppy feel in the strings,

Most will disagree with me on the following: you do not need to recut nut slots  for nylon strings.  La Bella 17s are very slim. But you can use fatter strings if you wish.  A nylon string sitting partially atop the nut does not sound different than one sitting inside the slot. A pinched string will buzz so you don't want that but I have never had that happen. I have gone between wire strings and nylon strings on so many banjos without making any change to nut or bridge. I've done this with 3 models of Clifford Essex banjos (Imperial, Regal, XX Special),  1 Bart Reiter banjo, a great old Bacon banjo,  a Maude Evans banjo, a top-of-the line Barnes & Mullins banjo,  and when I removed the wire strings from an SS Stewart banjo and replaced them with nylon (never going back to wire) I made no change at all to bridge or nut. Most of these banjos have been used in concerts, recordings sessions and videos, with one or another of two types of strings. Never ever was there a problem of sound or feel. You can hear and see some of these banjos with nylon or nylgut or gut strings on my videos here on this website. While my playing is far from perfect there is no problem at all with the sound of the banjos.  I even used the Bart Reiter banjo in a recording session with a mixed set of steel and nylon, which got the sound needed for that song.  There were no problems at all and no changes to nut or bridge. 

Whether the Iida would sound good with nylon strings is another matter entirely. They don't typically sound good with steel strings so I dunno.  

[Adam Tracksler]

My main concern is with the 5th string. 

[Adam Tracksler]

I dont really want to file the 5th string nut, if possible. I will look into the Labella 17s.

[Jody Stecher]

A steel string that is fatter than the 5th string nut is likely to cause a buzz. A nylon string can sit right on top with no part touching the slot and sound just fine.  There are reasons to *replace* a fifth string nut. Bone can sound better that toothbrush-type plastic. But there is no reason to change the slot of the existing nut just to accommodate a theoretical nylon  5th string.  A steel 5th string ranges in diameter from .008 to .011 inches. I haven't seen an instance of a bigger string than that.  A nylon 5th string ranges from .017 to .022 inches.  It would seem impossible to use these in a slot intended for steel wire. But I've done it so many times with no problem. 

Adam Tracksler said:

I dont really want to file the 5th string nut, if possible. I will look into the Labella 17s.

[Adam Tracksler]

Thanks. The Iida has a 5th string capo that I could use. I don't know how much that would mess me up. Is any classic banjo repertoire played fretting the 5th?

[Jody Stecher]

I have done that and maybe Marc Dalmasso has.  But I can't recall having seen old notation where this is indicated.  Maybe it exists.

Adam Tracksler said:

Thanks. The Iida has a 5th string capo that I could use. I don't know how much that would mess me up. Is any classic banjo repertoire played fretting the 5th?

[Joel Hooks]

I cannot offer advice on this specific banjo as I have not seen it in person.  But I do own a Gatcomb Standard No 15 (I am guessing the model number was the price= $15).

I got it for slightly more than free (If I remember correctly I think I traded some bridges for it).

It is well made and nicely finished.  It is not very loud but sounds good.  The 25" scale (same as the one you posted) is very short and I run out of fingerboard due to the limited fret count. 

I'm not sure I would have bought one based on the scale, but mine does get played occasionally.  

I keep my Nylgut Historical strings on it and have it pitched to "A" (fourth string). It is the only banjo I have hanging on the wall next to my computer, which is why it gets played.  I doubt I would reach for it if it were cased over my other banjos. 

[Adam Tracksler]

Sounds like this may not be the banjo for me (I'm tall -- 6'4"), so I'll keep on looking and change the strings on my Iida.

[IAN SALTER]

Hi Adam,

I don't know anything about this make and appreciate that it is more than the 6-800$ that you quoted in your first enquiry, but it looks to be a good instrument. It's likely that Jody, Marc, Joel and others will tell you more.

https://www.banjobarn.com/banjo/107351

[Joel Hooks]

I would trust this seller, Kyle, over Bernunzio.  Kyle is a stand up guy and heck of a craftsman.

I mean, if you are looking for a “one and done” lifetime banjo that is ready to play out of the box, John Cohen has a fantastic Vega WL at one heck of a deal.  You will be spending more, but you will be getting more too.

IAN SALTER said:

Hi Adam,

I don't know anything about this make and appreciate that it is more than the 6-800$ that you quoted in your first enquiry, but it looks to be a good instrument. It's likely that Jody, Marc, Joel and others will tell you more.

https://www.banjobarn.com/banjo/107351

[IAN SALTER]

Joel,

How do you think the R&L compares to the Vega, purely as an instrument for playing?

https://www.banjobarn.com/banjo/108040

[Joel Hooks]

I have not played that R&L, I believe I did play this WL at the last rally.  I can’t comment on the R&L personally.

But there is likely a good reason we see and read about WL banjos in the hands of professionals.