Classic-Banjo
A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo
Whitby and Sharpe
Finally back home with sometime to catch up....
Rob's workshop went off really well with five punters - Rob took us through Sunflower Dance at a nice steady pace and everybody went away with some new ideas.
The new Clifford Essex Sharpe arrived a few days before I set off. This is the latest banjo to come from the Clifford Essex stable, named after the man who did so much for the banjo ... A.P. Sharpe. This banjo has been designed to make use of some latest innovations while maintaining the high standards that you would expect from Clifford Essex. This is an 11" open backed banjo which can be supplied with either steel or nylon strings - mine arrived with steel but I changed it to nylon - simple job of swapping tailpieces and bridges. The first impression was how loud the instrument is....after playing it at our Wednesday night club where is held its own to putting into Richard's hands at Whitby - wow!
Both Rob and Richard played the banjo during the workshop and then Richard sat on Helmut's stall in the Craft Fair and gathered an appreciative crowd.
More later....
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by thereallyniceman on
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I am pleased that Rob's workshop went well. It would have been nice to have more attending as Rob is an excellent player who could give a load of help to new and experienced players.
Perhaps I could add a couple of photos which will show the NEW CE Sharpe (and Richard)
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Permalink Reply by Jody Stecher on
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Is there any difference between the 2 tailpieces besides how the strings are fastened? I'm thinking that part of the (old ) CE sound was due to a tailpiece that pushed down on the strings some.
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Permalink Reply by Trevor Boyd on
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When does it go on sale?
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Permalink Reply by David Wade on
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Hi Jody, yes big difference between the two tailpieces, the nylon string version is a large rosewood shield design -not dis-similar to the one designed for the Gambler. It adds mass and down-bearing to the strings, giving quite a sharp angle between the strings and the bridge - it all contributes to the snap and crackle!
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Orders are being taken by Clifford Essex now, I will have mine on show at Backwell next Saturday - available to "try before you buy". All being I should be able to get some better photos up to the site this weekend.Also in the pipeline is the "Weaver" - a full 12" wood hoop hand made to the "master's best design".
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Permalink Reply by Mike Moss on
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Hi Dave, what a nice-looking banjo. What's the construction like -- do all models have a truss rod and coordinator rods, or is there a plain wooden neck + perch pole version available for nylons? I'd definitely be interested if it diverged from the standard Gibson construction.
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what is the other tailpiece like?
David Wade said:Hi Jody, yes big difference between the two tailpieces, the nylon string version is a large rosewood shield design -not dis-similar to the one designed for the Gambler. It adds mass and down-bearing to the strings, giving quite a sharp angle between the strings and the bridge - it all contributes to the snap and crackle!
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Mike, it's an absolute belter, I struggled to get it back from Richard. The Sharpe has a truss rod and co-ordintor rods. I will try and get some picture up this weekend - struggling with work commitments and prep for Backwell.
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Permalink Reply by Richard William Ineson on
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I enjoyed playing the banjo which is very loud and has the banjo tone which I like. As you would expect, the workmanship is excellent, and although I cannot remember (the lure of the bar in the Rifle Club)the retail price, it didn't seem to be out of the way for a banjo of this quality and power. If you are looking for a banjo which looks and plays well, this might be the one for you. There are disadvantages to owning and playing an antique banjo, which a new banjo doesn't have, and most importantly, new banjos very often sound better than most ancient banjos.
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