As the owner of an aluminum "bottle cap" banjo and a "masterclone"-style banjo myself, I can say that there is a HUGE difference in sound between the thin aluminum rim and a wooden rim with a flathead tone ring. The big difference in volume doesn't come across so well in recordings, though, but it's definitely there. That all being said, there are ways to get a nice sound out of a bottle cap banjo. Omer Forster sure did.
I’m glad you showed the Rogue AL without a tone ring or wood. I have the open back for travel that was $150. The next Rogue up is $249.with NATO resonator. This doesn’t do much for the sound, and will cost to add on to make it sound better. The Goldtone OB250+ is a better sounding banjo with JLS, Bell bronze tone ring. The sound is more balanced and rings louder. Neither compare to my Earl Scruggs Gibson Golden Deluxe, but your paying for a Ferrari and not a Pinto!
My first banjo was an aluminum pot banjo. I now have one with a cast brass tone ring. Major difference. It’s harder to tell listening on a phone or iPad, but I could hear the difference in the video you did.
I don't remember the name, but my first banjo (in the 70's) had a rim made of molded plastic. I didn't know the difference. I now have a Hatfield Buckcreek and will never give it up!
Very interesting to see the difference! I got an OB250 about 2 weeks ago and compared that to my Epiphone MB100, it’s very easy to hear the differences in person too!
This was cool! I just found your channel after I got inspired to pull out my banjo this morning. Definitely want to play more so I don't lose all the work I put in years ago. I have a Deering Goodtime which was my first and only banjo, and it sounds great, but it's definitely different from something like that Gold Tone. Thanks for the content! I found you and subscribed from one of your shorts, by the way 😎
@@MasonCroneMusic I've been playing about 7 years now and played a bunch the first 3 years or so but have focused more on guitar and fiddle recently. Just don't have enough time to play them all! Looks like you might know what I mean, playing multiple instruments 😁
Nice video. Seems like there are a lot of $150-$200 banjos out there that are probably all coming from the same factory in China with some slight variations. I am about 4 weeks into this and got the Pyle PBJ60 to start with, happy with it to learn on but will definitely upgrade if I get good at this.
Thanks so much for the reviews. Have you ever heard of a Danville brand banjo? I'm in the market for a moderately priced beginner instrument and I'm seeing several Danville banjo's around.
I played an old bottle cap for years (the banjo in my profile), fortunately my banjos have been upgraded with my playing. I have people make the "you're just paying for the name" comment to me all the time. No comparison to me, a cheap banjo sounds and feels cheap. Going to go check out your other videos now. Love those new Gold Tone banjos.
I got a 50's Japanese Lero plectrum banjo, I can't find much info about it but I gathered it was considered an economy brand back then but I wonder how it holds up to a modern "cheap" banjo. I might just have to take the resonator off after watching this!
I have played on a $20 pos from a flea market for 25 years. I can play it fine and it sounds like a banjo but I just now got a proper OME and it’s just night and day on the playability. I feel like Scruggs himself on this thing compared to the flea market Lotus.
Currently playing a cheap banjo to learn on but I’m gonna upgrade. Not sure which one I’m gonna get. My budget is 800$ - $1200. Any suggestions ? Also I played a Washburn that was a few steps up from mine and I could tell the difference especially how comfortable it was to play
3:37 I am just curious: Is it possible to play a resonator banjo without the resonator being on - more like an open-back banjo (without a resonator)? If so, would it sound ok? Also, what about the reverse - could you add a resonator to an open-back resonator - and would you be able to get the same volume? In other words, is the difference between an open-back banjo and a resonator banjo ONLY the resonator or lack of a resonator - or are there additional differences in their build? Thanks.
So I guess you kind of answered this in the video! Resonator banjos have tone rings in them, to help project more - whereas open-back banjos do not, correct?! Thanks.
The resonator makes it project more, the tone ring is for, well, tone 😂 Typically you couldn't add a resonator to an open back banjo without modifying it, it has to have somewhere to attach
I haven't played one... It is beautiful though. And based on parts it's probably about the same as the Gold Tones that are half the price so it's probably a bit overpriced.
I thought you were going to play them again!😭🤣 Haha! If people can't tell one is better quality just by looking at the construction....I mean...it's obvious
The short I mentioned... ruclips.net/user/shortsRUFp8jj4uHM?feature=share
As the owner of an aluminum "bottle cap" banjo and a "masterclone"-style banjo myself, I can say that there is a HUGE difference in sound between the thin aluminum rim and a wooden rim with a flathead tone ring. The big difference in volume doesn't come across so well in recordings, though, but it's definitely there. That all being said, there are ways to get a nice sound out of a bottle cap banjo. Omer Forster sure did.
I think people should listen to recordings (like the one in that video) with headphones… The difference was quite noticeable (to me, at least).
C'mon man you gotta play them again! That way folks can hear how much better that Rogue sounds...
Well I have two other videos where I compare them... 🤪😂
Watch the short he posted at the top of the comments
Mason it was nice to hear you give some credit to Jim for his contributions to your learning process .
Jim is great!
@@MasonCroneMusic yes he is !
Very interesting. I never would have thought there was such a difference in the construction.
Oh yeah, for sure! They're almost a different type of instrument 😂
I’m glad you showed the Rogue AL without a tone ring or wood. I have the open back for travel that was $150. The next Rogue up is $249.with NATO resonator. This doesn’t do much for the sound, and will cost to add on to make it sound better. The Goldtone OB250+ is a better sounding banjo with JLS, Bell bronze tone ring. The sound is more balanced and rings louder. Neither compare to my Earl Scruggs Gibson Golden Deluxe, but your paying for a Ferrari and not a Pinto!
My first banjo was an aluminum pot banjo. I now have one with a cast brass tone ring. Major difference. It’s harder to tell listening on a phone or iPad, but I could hear the difference in the video you did.
Thanks for sharing!
I watched that video and I could DEFINITELY tell the difference in the two.
I don't remember the name, but my first banjo (in the 70's) had a rim made of molded plastic. I didn't know the difference.
I now have a Hatfield Buckcreek and will never give it up!
I bet those are incredible
Very interesting to see the difference! I got an OB250 about 2 weeks ago and compared that to my Epiphone MB100, it’s very easy to hear the differences in person too!
Definitely, it's way bigger in person.
I started with a cheap Franciscan now have a RK Elite 75 huge difference. Great video thank you Mason
That's so cool, I played a 76 which is the same thing but a different inlay on the neck. It was a great banjo.
thanks man, this was very helpful
Glad to hear it!
This was cool! I just found your channel after I got inspired to pull out my banjo this morning. Definitely want to play more so I don't lose all the work I put in years ago. I have a Deering Goodtime which was my first and only banjo, and it sounds great, but it's definitely different from something like that Gold Tone. Thanks for the content! I found you and subscribed from one of your shorts, by the way 😎
Thanks for watching and subscribing! And I'm glad you're getting back into it.
@@MasonCroneMusic I've been playing about 7 years now and played a bunch the first 3 years or so but have focused more on guitar and fiddle recently. Just don't have enough time to play them all! Looks like you might know what I mean, playing multiple instruments 😁
thats an interesting comparison. nice to know why one sounds different over the other. great explanation.
Thanks!
Great video! I have a Johnson banjo and a 1970 Gibson banjo and there is a big difference!
Oh yeah, I'm sure 😎
I have a Fender bottlecap just like Stringbean! :D
Nice video. Seems like there are a lot of $150-$200 banjos out there that are probably all coming from the same factory in China with some slight variations. I am about 4 weeks into this and got the Pyle PBJ60 to start with, happy with it to learn on but will definitely upgrade if I get good at this.
Exactly, they're all so similar haha. And there's no problem getting started on a cheap one, I only got a better one about half a year ago.
5:02 Yep, two (2) rods.
Awesome.
Thanks so much for the reviews. Have you ever heard of a Danville brand banjo? I'm in the market for a moderately priced beginner instrument and I'm seeing several Danville banjo's around.
I haven't heard of them, sorry
You almost have 10k subs!!! Congratulations!
Hey, thanks! Good to hear from you, feels like it's been awhile for some reason 🤔😂
@@MasonCroneMusic That's cause it has been a while...lol You're getting popular! Soon, I'll have to get you to sign my banjo 😂
He’s catching up to me very quickly. 😝
@@aubreyragsdale8163 I may never catch you Miss Ragsdale 🤓
@@MasonCroneMusic Nah you will just keep trying. You’ll get there I promise. 🤓
4:15 Wow! I never knew what the inside of a banjo looked like… So there is wood inside a banjo!
Thanks for this video.
Glad you liked it!
Alsome video mason, also where is your Ibanez. You should do a short playing all three banjos
It's currently in a case in the corner haha.
Lol I would love to see you play fiddle with banjo picks 🤣
I played an old bottle cap for years (the banjo in my profile), fortunately my banjos have been upgraded with my playing. I have people make the "you're just paying for the name" comment to me all the time. No comparison to me, a cheap banjo sounds and feels cheap. Going to go check out your other videos now. Love those new Gold Tone banjos.
Thank you so much for sharing! I get that all the time too, they truly have no idea what they're talking about 😂
I got a 50's Japanese Lero plectrum banjo, I can't find much info about it but I gathered it was considered an economy brand back then but I wonder how it holds up to a modern "cheap" banjo. I might just have to take the resonator off after watching this!
For sure, it's always fun to see what's inside! 😂
Hi Mason, great video, well done 👍🏻!
I think my banjo parts and pieces will still be good for err......maybe making something else..?? 🤔🤣🪕
Thanks Steve!
I have played on a $20 pos from a flea market for 25 years. I can play it fine and it sounds like a banjo but I just now got a proper OME and it’s just night and day on the playability. I feel like Scruggs himself on this thing compared to the flea market Lotus.
It definitely makes a difference!
Well done . Maybe, (just a thought) you'd consider becoming a luthier ? Yourcthoughts?
I've thought about it before, not much lately though.
Don't be me and get the idea after 60. Some people's kids ... last minute Mike.
I can barely hear the difference, but RUclips compresses sound for streaming. That's why it's so hard to hear the difference on the Internet.
Never heard of that...
@@MasonCroneMusic never heard of compression? Listen to your favorite track over Bluetooth.
Currently playing a cheap banjo to learn on but I’m gonna upgrade. Not sure which one I’m gonna get. My budget is 800$ - $1200. Any suggestions ? Also I played a Washburn that was a few steps up from mine and I could tell the difference especially how comfortable it was to play
I would go for the Recording King RK 35 if that's your budget
Can you get lower string height without fret buzz on the more expensive one?
Yes, you have to do truss rod adjustments. You can do it on the cheap one too but it's more limited.
3:37 I am just curious: Is it possible to play a resonator banjo without the resonator being on - more like an open-back banjo (without a resonator)? If so, would it sound ok?
Also, what about the reverse - could you add a resonator to an open-back resonator - and would you be able to get the same volume?
In other words, is the difference between an open-back banjo and a resonator banjo ONLY the resonator or lack of a resonator - or are there additional differences in their build?
Thanks.
So I guess you kind of answered this in the video! Resonator banjos have tone rings in them, to help project more - whereas open-back banjos do not, correct?!
Thanks.
The resonator makes it project more, the tone ring is for, well, tone 😂 Typically you couldn't add a resonator to an open back banjo without modifying it, it has to have somewhere to attach
@@MasonCroneMusic Great, thanks!
many listeners cannot hear the difference between a cheap and an expensive banjo, I understand that, but the player can hear and feel the difference
So what’s the deal with the OB-300? Is there something wrong with it? I think it’s beautiful, myself. Is it bling only on a poor banjo?
I haven't played one... It is beautiful though. And based on parts it's probably about the same as the Gold Tones that are half the price so it's probably a bit overpriced.
I thought you were going to play them again!😭🤣
Haha! If people can't tell one is better quality just by looking at the construction....I mean...it's obvious
Sorry to disappoint you 😭 Yeah, they're completely different. People didn't seem to know that 🤷♂️😂
I wonder if it would be easier to hear how different they sound from each other if you played the banjo's at different distances to the camera? 🤷
Probably not, the best way to tell is in person.
Are they the same size heads?
I believe so.
I saw a Bigfoot in the forest behind you.
That was probably a goat. And if it was a Bigfoot it’s not nice to give him away.
@@MasonCroneMusic Hahaha 😆 nice channel, keep it up.
I ordered the Ibanez B200 today. Never played Banjo before. See how it goes.
@@dhjoubert39 Have fun!
OK, but it just doesn't match the 88 key variety in terms of range of expression
I have no idea what that means 😁
@@MasonCroneMusic Piano
You should learn dueling banjos
I have several videos of it...
Will a expensive banjo make me sound better?
It depends on your experience level, typically not much for a beginner.
5:42 Really? LOL 😂😂😂
People need to practice active listening techniques… And listen with headphones! :-
Chuck that thing in the bin and get yourself a bagpipe if you really want to suceed in life
Might be a good idea.
How can you succeed in life by having in a bag your pipe?
If it hadn't been for Cotton Eyed Joe
I wouldn't have been picking a fifth string banjo!