Great post! My wife thinks you forgot the best banjo accessory ever....the Gold Tone banjo mute. She says that was the best Christmas gift I ever gave her. Ha!
This is great! Thanks so very much. So nice to have someone mention the thin neck too. I have not tried an Ome, but have a custom neck, which is thin, since I have small hands. It makes a huge difference to me.
My wife thought that the bit about fiddle playing was pretty funny. I think that she suddenly became thankful that I'm not obsessed by the fiddle. haha
I have the ome juniper just haven't had much luck learning how to play. always have a setback . have had carpal tunnel surgeries and ulnar nerve release on both hands and elbows plus rotator cuff surgery.
Hey Rob, I used to own an Ome Juniper and it was a fantastic instrument. I regret selling it! Sorry to hear about your injuries. That can make learning really tough. Definitely listen to your doctors! Have you tried spending time with an instructor? Clawhammer is idiosyncratic, and counterintuitive to many at first. A good teacher can help unlock the secrets!
Enjoyed watching this video and your recommendation of the Ome Tupelo banjo. I believe yours has a maple rim. I had an earlier one with a mahogany rim (not sure when Ome switched to maple). It was a very nicely built banjo, but it's tone was too dark for my tastes. I would imagine a maple rim Tupelo has a bit more snap and brightness, probably why they switched woods. I my (novice) hands the mahog sounded a bit muddy.
Hey Brian, Yes, mine has a maple rim and mahogany neck. I don't generally find that wood species matters all that much in terms of tone (many would disagree with me here!). A lot has to do with setup, bridge, strings and most importantly, the player. Still, you have to trust your ears when it comes to tone! Best, Tom
Yeah, the strings are great! I have quite a few students who travel by air and train to take lessons a couple times a year. It would be nice if they didn't have to lug a banjo around with them!
Hey mate, great watch as always! If you are doing one of these for Christmas 2019 could you add some items more on the cheaper side? For Christmas gifts people must only be spending $30 - $300? Straps, banjo cases, bridges, tail pieces, heads, a big pile of affordable nick nacks would be awesome! Cheers.
Hi Tom I have just become a patron and am very much looking forward to learning some much from you. I have had a Deering for several years and recently took it up again after a break of about a year following some hand surgery. I came to the banjo via the ukulele when I discovered the clawhammer style. I'm Irish and so there is something deep within old time music that resonates inside of me. In particular, the banjo can make the hairs stand up all over me. I have wanted an Ome for sometime now and your review of the Tupelo has made up my mind for me as to which model to get. I'm particularly pleased because the Tupelo is one of their less expensive models, which helps given how strong the dollar is at the moment. Anyway, I have one question to ask: would you recommend the 11'' or 12'' version?
Hey Philip! Thanks for joining the crew! I haven’t played the 11” Tupelo, but the 12” is absolute magic. Easily one of the top 5 banjos I’ve ever played. I wouldn’t hesitate. Get the 12” and get ready for rich, warm tone with volume for days. So easy to play too. You can’t go wrong!
Just wondering if you played a Pisgah banjo in your review? There are no local stores that carry the banjo's you selected. This is my most played banjo. I also own two entry banjo's, a Deering Goodtime, and a Recording King Dirty 30. Just wondering to how my Pisgah sounds compared you your selections. Maybe I need another Banjo, however my wife would disagree, she think I only need one, not sure if she hears the difference.
Great list Tom. Have you strung up your omega with those strings? I just got an ome North Star and love it. I didn’t think this quality of banjo was being made. Plays like an expensive telecaster as you mentioned.
Tom Collins how do you think the bill Keith strings compare to the stock ome mediums that chuck puts on the Banjos stock. I’m trying to decide if I want to try the bill keith strings.
Hey dude I only playing six months and other comments are happy with your choices but I am not there. It is way out of my pocket book and it would be more than I spent on the banjo.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Great post! My wife thinks you forgot the best banjo accessory ever....the Gold Tone banjo mute. She says that was the best Christmas gift I ever gave her. Ha!
This is great! Thanks so very much. So nice to have someone mention the thin neck too. I have not tried an Ome, but have a custom neck, which is thin, since I have small hands. It makes a huge difference to me.
My wife thought that the bit about fiddle playing was pretty funny. I think that she suddenly became thankful that I'm not obsessed by the fiddle. haha
Hahahaa! Tell her there's also the bagpipes or the accordion too! Much love to my fiddling friends out there. Hopefully they forgive my little jab!!
I have the ome juniper just haven't had much luck learning how to play. always have a setback . have had carpal tunnel surgeries and ulnar nerve release on both hands and elbows plus rotator cuff surgery.
Hey Rob, I used to own an Ome Juniper and it was a fantastic instrument. I regret selling it! Sorry to hear about your injuries. That can make learning really tough. Definitely listen to your doctors! Have you tried spending time with an instructor? Clawhammer is idiosyncratic, and counterintuitive to many at first. A good teacher can help unlock the secrets!
thanks for the info! this is a very helpful video. I ordered a Gary S. bridge.
Enjoyed watching this video and your recommendation of the Ome Tupelo banjo. I believe yours has a maple rim. I had an earlier one with a mahogany rim (not sure when Ome switched to maple). It was a very nicely built banjo, but it's tone was too dark for my tastes. I would imagine a maple rim Tupelo has a bit more snap and brightness, probably why they switched woods. I my (novice) hands the mahog sounded a bit muddy.
Hey Brian, Yes, mine has a maple rim and mahogany neck. I don't generally find that wood species matters all that much in terms of tone (many would disagree with me here!). A lot has to do with setup, bridge, strings and most importantly, the player. Still, you have to trust your ears when it comes to tone! Best, Tom
Wow, very informative and thank you!
Glad you enjoyed, Karen!
Interesting, thanks, I’ll give those strings and maybe the bridge a go. Odd that a student would arrive without an instrument?
Yeah, the strings are great! I have quite a few students who travel by air and train to take lessons a couple times a year. It would be nice if they didn't have to lug a banjo around with them!
Hey mate, great watch as always! If you are doing one of these for Christmas 2019 could you add some items more on the cheaper side? For Christmas gifts people must only be spending $30 - $300? Straps, banjo cases, bridges, tail pieces, heads, a big pile of affordable nick nacks would be awesome! Cheers.
Hi Tom
I have just become a patron and am very much looking forward to learning some much from you. I have had a Deering for several years and recently took it up again after a break of about a year following some hand surgery. I came to the banjo via the ukulele when I discovered the clawhammer style. I'm Irish and so there is something deep within old time music that resonates inside of me. In particular, the banjo can make the hairs stand up all over me.
I have wanted an Ome for sometime now and your review of the Tupelo has made up my mind for me as to which model to get. I'm particularly pleased because the Tupelo is one of their less expensive models, which helps given how strong the dollar is at the moment.
Anyway, I have one question to ask: would you recommend the 11'' or 12'' version?
Hey Philip! Thanks for joining the crew! I haven’t played the 11” Tupelo, but the 12” is absolute magic. Easily one of the top 5 banjos I’ve ever played. I wouldn’t hesitate. Get the 12” and get ready for rich, warm tone with volume for days. So easy to play too. You can’t go wrong!
Thanks Tom. Now to explain this to my wife?
That I can't help you with, Philip! Good luck!!
Thanks, Tom. A while back you recommended a banjo stand and now I can't find that recommendation. Could you repeat it please?
Hey Craig! I really like the K&M A Frame acoustic guitar stand: tinyurl.com/yb63fs2w
Just wondering if you played a Pisgah banjo in your review? There are no local stores that carry the banjo's you selected. This is my most played banjo. I also own two entry banjo's, a Deering Goodtime, and a Recording King Dirty 30. Just wondering to how my Pisgah sounds compared you your selections. Maybe I need another Banjo, however my wife would disagree, she think I only need one, not sure if she hears the difference.
Great list Tom. Have you strung up your omega with those strings? I just got an ome North Star and love it. I didn’t think this quality of banjo was being made. Plays like an expensive telecaster as you mentioned.
Yes! The North Star is a gorgeous instrument!! Yes, I'm running the Omega with the Bill Keith strings. They're the only steel strings I use.
Tom Collins how do you think the bill Keith strings compare to the stock ome mediums that chuck puts on the Banjos stock. I’m trying to decide if I want to try the bill keith strings.
Hey dude I only playing six months and other comments are happy with your choices but I am not there. It is way out of my pocket book and it would be more than I spent on the banjo.