Where to buy classic banjos in the UK

[Trevor Boyd]

I hope I am not breaking any rules by posting this, but I would be curious to know where UK members look to buy their banjos.  I am aware of Clifford Essex and more "general" traders such as Andy's Banjos and Eagle Music, but if I wanted to invest in a good instrument at some point in the future where should I look?

Many thanks

Trevor

[thereallyniceman]

Very few "rules" to break on here !!  There is only one rule that I can think of, and that is if you ever meet the "reallyniceman" at a banjo rally it is compulsory to buy him a beer!

Trevor, I have been through this too.  I wanted a really good instrument, so bought a Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No7 from the USA... unseen. It is a lovely banjo and plays beautifully...but the neck feels a little deep for me, so it it never gets played.  I bought a SS Stewart Special Thoroughbred from Bernunzio...unseen. It is a lovely banjo, but the neck is a bit narrow for my fat fingers, so it never gets played.

Same with a Farland Artist Grand..unseen. Beautiful instrument, but sound is not quite what I like, so it never gets played.

I see a pattern emerging.. MAKE SURE that you play the banjo before you buy it!!

I ended up buying a Clifford Essex Special off Ebay, but I had played one before and it is perfect for me and gets played every day. I went on to buy two other C. Essex banjos on Ebay and they were only down the road from where I live!  Look at the pictures of my Paragon and Special XX on this site and you can see how nice they were.  I have heard good reports about Andy banjos, but they are dealers and need to make a profit. Have you looked at www.findajo.co.uk ?

 

I always watch Ebay, even though I don't need another  banjo (what AM I saying!!!    :-)

They turn up all over, so there may be one in the next street to you!

 

Good luck...what instrument would be your "Must Have" ?

 

Ian

 

[Paul Tombs]

I had mine handmade by Phil Davidson Instruments. I own PD classic banjo 001. It is great.

You tell him what you want and he makes it for you.

[thereallyniceman]

Hi Paul, I have never seen a Phil Davidson banjo. Do you have photos available to share?

In a previous post you said that Chris Sands may not be at the next Summer School. Is there any idea who may be giving Classic Banjo lessons?

[Paul Tombs]

G'Day Ian, My avatar image is of me holding the PD classic. I will see what other images I have.

I don't know who will do the banjo section. I did however, suggest my teacher, Danielle Saxon Reeves, to the BMG in a questionaire. We will have to wait and see.

thereallyniceman said:

Hi Paul, I have never seen a Phil Davidson banjo. Do you have photos available to share?

In a previous post you said that Chris Sands may not be at the next Summer School. Is there any idea who may be giving Classic Banjo lessons?

[David Wade]

Hi Trevor, many good banjos change hands between players and collectors without ever seeing the light day.CE have successfull market the Gambler and the Weaver is work in progress - I'm hoping to have mine for Midlands Rally. It is worth getting round the Rallies and getting chance to play as many 'jos as possible. I usually have a couple of good zither-banjos for sale on the Road Show all set up by Clive Hughes and ready to play. Clive himself has some nice instruments for sale and then there's Keith Wilson amongst others.

[Trevor Boyd]

Thanks Ian.  Since I am new to classic banjo, I bought my first banjo from Andy Perkins.  I chose one within my price range (not rock bottom but not too high either) and asked him to set it up for classical with nylon strings which he did.  I found him very helpful.  I did not want to spend a lot in case it didn't work out. I don't have a "must have" next instrument at the moment, but I wanted to get some ideas so that I can dream.  I play classical guitar and know what to aim for there and ditto for other types of guitar but banjo is new to me the comments from you and other memebers are very helpful, thanks.

[NB I wasn't sure whether it was acceptable to mention dealers by name 0r whether to add the disclaimer "Other banjos are available" :-)]

thereallyniceman said:

Very few "rules" to break on here !!  There is only one rule that I can think of, and that is if you ever meet the "reallyniceman" at a banjo rally it is compulsory to buy him a beer!

Trevor, I have been through this too.  I wanted a really good instrument, so bought a Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No7 from the USA... unseen. It is a lovely banjo and plays beautifully...but the neck feels a little deep for me, so it it never gets played.  I bought a SS Stewart Special Thoroughbred from Bernunzio...unseen. It is a lovely banjo, but the neck is a bit narrow for my fat fingers, so it never gets played.

Same with a Farland Artist Grand..unseen. Beautiful instrument, but sound is not quite what I like, so it never gets played.

I see a pattern emerging.. MAKE SURE that you play the banjo before you buy it!!

I ended up buying a Clifford Essex Special off Ebay, but I had played one before and it is perfect for me and gets played every day. I went on to buy two other C. Essex banjos on Ebay and they were only down the road from where I live!  Look at the pictures of my Paragon and Special XX on this site and you can see how nice they were.  I have heard good reports about Andy banjos, but they are dealers and need to make a profit. Have you looked at www.findajo.co.uk ?

 

I always watch Ebay, even though I don't need another  banjo (what AM I saying!!!    :-)

They turn up all over, so there may be one in the next street to you!

 

Good luck...what instrument would be your "Must Have" ?

 

Ian

 

[Steve Harrison]

Trevor Boyd said:

Thanks Ian.  Since I am new to classic banjo, I bought my first banjo from Andy Perkins.  I chose one within my price range (not rock bottom but not too high either) and asked him to set it up for classical with nylon strings which he did.  I found him very helpful.  I did not want to spend a lot in case it didn't work out. I don't have a "must have" next instrument at the moment, but I wanted to get some ideas so that I can dream.  I play classical guitar and know what to aim for there and ditto for other types of guitar but banjo is new to me the comments from you and other memebers are very helpful, thanks.

[NB I wasn't sure whether it was acceptable to mention dealers by name 0r whether to add the disclaimer "Other banjos are available" :-)]

thereallyniceman said:

Very few "rules" to break on here !!  There is only one rule that I can think of, and that is if you ever meet the "reallyniceman" at a banjo rally it is compulsory to buy him a beer!

Trevor, I have been through this too.  I wanted a really good instrument, so bought a Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No7 from the USA... unseen. It is a lovely banjo and plays beautifully...but the neck feels a little deep for me, so it it never gets played.  I bought a SS Stewart Special Thoroughbred from Bernunzio...unseen. It is a lovely banjo, but the neck is a bit narrow for my fat fingers, so it never gets played.

Same with a Farland Artist Grand..unseen. Beautiful instrument, but sound is not quite what I like, so it never gets played.

I see a pattern emerging.. MAKE SURE that you play the banjo before you buy it!!

I ended up buying a Clifford Essex Special off Ebay, but I had played one before and it is perfect for me and gets played every day. I went on to buy two other C. Essex banjos on Ebay and they were only down the road from where I live!  Look at the pictures of my Paragon and Special XX on this site and you can see how nice they were.  I have heard good reports about Andy banjos, but they are dealers and need to make a profit. Have you looked at www.findajo.co.uk ?

 

I always watch Ebay, even though I don't need another  banjo (what AM I saying!!!    :-)

They turn up all over, so there may be one in the next street to you!

 

Good luck...what instrument would be your "Must Have" ?

 

Ian

 

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Trevor, when you obtained your banjo from Andy Perkins, did he tell you about his 'rescue banjos'? Apparently he will take a vintage hoop from his collection of recycled banjo bits and then make and fit a sympathetically designed arm to end up with a hybrid of old and new. I was looking for a classic banjo in playable condition for a friend who was interested in learning to play. Andy quoted me a price of around £250. I haven't seen one of these banjos but it sounds like an interesting compromise.

[Trevor Boyd]

Hi Steve

 

No he didn't but then I didn't ask him :-)  I just picked a reasonable looking open backed banjo from his catalogue and asked if he could set it up for classical, with nylon strings, which he duly did.  It's a GoldTone which looked reasonable from the reviews I read.  I am very happy with it as a complete beginner, but I need to learn more about banjos and maybe get along to some rallies to see what other people are playing.  I first encountered classical finger style banjo at the BMG summer school last year and the sound was a revelation to me.  I had tried bluegrass banjo and couldn't get along with finger-picks etc - or the sound. Once I discovered you could set up a banjo with nylon strings I had to try it, since I play classical guitar  I'm hoping that in a year or two I'll be ready to invest in a better instrument - although my wife might disagree!

So this site will be very useful for learning about the instrument and what are - by common consensus - instruments to look for.

Sorry for the long post!

Trevor

Steve Harrison said:

Hi Trevor, when you obtained your banjo from Andy Perkins, did he tell you about his 'rescue banjos'? Apparently he will take a vintage hoop from his collection of recycled banjo bits and then make and fit a sympathetically designed arm to end up with a hybrid of old and new. I was looking for a classic banjo in playable condition for a friend who was interested in learning to play. Andy quoted me a price of around £250. I haven't seen one of these banjos but it sounds like an interesting compromise.

[Trevor Boyd]

Hi David

Thanks for your reply.  I have seen the Gambler advertised.  Is the Weaver a new model then?  I shall try and get along to some rallies once I can actually play the thing - still learning at the moment - and won't embarrass myself :-)

Trevor

David Wade said:

Hi Trevor, many good banjos change hands between players and collectors without ever seeing the light day.CE have successfull market the Gambler and the Weaver is work in progress - I'm hoping to have mine for Midlands Rally. It is worth getting round the Rallies and getting chance to play as many 'jos as possible. I usually have a couple of good zither-banjos for sale on the Road Show all set up by Clive Hughes and ready to play. Clive himself has some nice instruments for sale and then there's Keith Wilson amongst others.

[Pam Tointon]

Hi Trevor, as another newbie I'm glad you have asked this question. I wanted to ask it myself but was hesitant as  you said  thinking that it  may be breaking some rule. So thank you and thank you all guys for the info. Guess I better start saving the pennies!

 

Best wishes Pam 

[David Wade]

Yes Trevor, the Weaver is a 12" wood hoop classic banjo based on all the best principles as defined by Alfred.

Don't worry about having to play at Rallies, there is no pressure - we've built in more "community" tunes to help bring people along. You don't have to bring your banjo, you can just listen and watch ....and make sure you say hello!

Dave

 

Trevor Boyd said:

Hi David

Thanks for your reply.  I have seen the Gambler advertised.  Is the Weaver a new model then?  I shall try and get along to some rallies once I can actually play the thing - still learning at the moment - and won't embarrass myself :-)

Trevor

David Wade said:

Hi Trevor, many good banjos change hands between players and collectors without ever seeing the light day.CE have successfull market the Gambler and the Weaver is work in progress - I'm hoping to have mine for Midlands Rally. It is worth getting round the Rallies and getting chance to play as many 'jos as possible. I usually have a couple of good zither-banjos for sale on the Road Show all set up by Clive Hughes and ready to play. Clive himself has some nice instruments for sale and then there's Keith Wilson amongst others.