No, that "elongated tool" he mentioned is for the truss rod. The tool you are talking about is literally a drum key and is usually in a smaller paper-package, but unfortunately Epiphone doesn't include this anymore. You'll have to buy the 'head-key' separately.
I have a mandolin-banjo that once belonged to my grandfather. From what I could tell it was made in the 1910’s, making it over a 100 years old. My grandfather (or Nonno) as I used to call him was a brilliant man and a talented musician. He was completely self taught and would often play by ear, improvising these amazing compositions on the fly. His music was amazing and full of passion and life. A true artist. Growing up without a father, he was my whole world and such an inspiration. He taught me how to play the organ and instilled in me a creative spirit which I carried forth with me into my own songwriting. A gifted man and my hero. I miss him every single day.
My Grandfather encouraged me to take up guitar when I was young. My Grandfather played mostly Banjo, but could pick a mean guitar too. I'm researching a late 1800s Banjo my Grandfather gifted me. I also miss my Grandfather, the times/era he lived through were tough times, nothing at all like we enjoy nowadays. You were Blessed to have such a man in your life, sounds like he was Blessed with you in his life too.
@ Hey Hk. Thank you for the kind comment. My grandfather was the definition of the word “hero”. He fought in WWII as part of Italy’s elite commando regiment who operated in the Alps, the Alpini. When Mussolini came into power he and a lot of his company disbanded and joined the partisans. The partisans conducted intelligence and espionage operations behind enemy lines, fighting back against the fascists. His brother died but he managed to survive until the end of the war but only because of his intelligence, resourcefulness and mental toughness. He moved to Australia after the war to farm Sugar Cane and remained there until he passed quite a few years ago now. As I mentioned before I grew up without a father and even though my mum remarried, the man she married was abusive as well. I spent most of my childhood with my grandfather. He was the one person who loved me unconditionally. He made me the man I am now. My brother ended up like my father. A violent criminal with substance abuse issues. I put that down to him not spending the time with my grandfather like I did. He was the polar opposite of my grandfather. Your grandad seems great too. Clearly he cherished you and entrusted you with his legacy. Again, thanks for the comment. It’s great to see some positivity in chat for a change. Not as common these days. Merry Christmas.
You should really append this with a video of Grampa playing it at the end after receiving…puts a face with the great backstory and he can be a part of the fancy RUclips show. We can get a great demo from a banjo guy. 🙂
Congrats both Paps and Landon. Landon, what a beautiful and generous gift to your Grandfather. Pap's, if you read this comment I have a questions for you, what do you know about a SS Stewart Wonder Tone Banjo from the late 1800s. This SSStewart is highly ornate with mother of pearl inlays all up and down the fingerboard and headstock, the back of the banjo's Resonator is completely inlayed with 1000s of multicolored wood inlays. This Banjo was a gift from my Grandfather, sadly, he never got around to telling me it's story! Congrats on your new Banjo Sir, enjoy. I hope you're a picking and a grinning!
I just saw that Earl Scruggs Gibson banjo in person! I live in Oklahoma City where the American Banjo Museum is! They have soooo many famous banjos and a ton of Gibsons. Anyone who comes to Oklahoma should check that place out. Only cost like $5 to get in.
13:13 if that serial number is formatted like an electric guitar, it would read a manufactured date of March 2024 at Factory 13 in China, production number 12267.
Bro. I don’t even like banjo and this is probably my favorite video of yours ever. I had to pause after the intro ‘cause I could not stop laughing 🤣 What a cool gift for that guys grandpa, not just the banjo but your video review of it as the icing on the cake. Great stuff dude!!
My grandpa played banjo way back when… sadly we have no idea where that went as it was already gone when my dad was in high school and then my grandpa passed away when I was a toddler. When grandma had to go into a nursing home we cleaned out her house, but no banjo. One of his brothers was actually a violin maker!
Thanks for sharingLandon. Rwmp actually makes drum heads in addition to the face or head on a banjo. I've considered actually learning the banjo . Just for the fact of some of the songs like Mr BoJangles and other pop songs from the late 60s early 70s . I worked for a local promoter in my town that booked Earl Scruggs for a show at a club in the neighbing city of Thibodaux Louisiana. Mr Scruggs was quite cordial and very friendly as if you were one of his long time friends. He even gave us a walk through of his tour bus which was a beautiful country and western style interior in a dependable Blue Bird. Add a D in the middle of the double C tuning and you have one of Jimmy Page's favorite tunings.
I would say Earl Scruggs is more the Les Paul/Charlie Christian/ Chuck Berry of the banjo. Most modern banjo players are in some way trying to play like Scruggs. Bluegrass starts with Bill Monroe but Flatt and Scruggs take it Hollywood with The Ballad of Jed Clampett. And like every other great early bluegrass musician, Scruggs got his start playing in Bill Monroe's band.
Yeah there's not really any guitarist quite like Scruggs. Scruggs style is the most common picking style on the banjo and yeah it's really called Scruggs style because of him! He's all of the guitar heroes rolled into one and then some!
Nice one Trog :) Greetings from England :) I think Earl was more the Jimi Hendrix of the banjo because he was kind of that revolutionary. The straps have spring loaded shackles on the end and attach to the head tension hooks. Generally the first hook beneath the neck is used because that tilts the banjo into exactly the right position. Really you should use metal finger picks and a thumb pick because as some one said to me once "well you wouldn't turn up to play golf without your clubs would you". There is also the whole thing of de-tuners that weren't on your review banjo but are a lot of fun. Search for "The Flint Hill Special" to get the idea, Earl or JD Crowes versions are cool.
Closed back higher end banjos are also heavier because they have a "tone ring", between the head and rim. It's usually pretty heavy around 3-4 lbs on its own. ❤
Yes, the tone ring certainly adds weight. But they can be found on open back instruments, as well. I have a Gretsch Dixie Deluxe frailing banjo which I occasionally play just to “break my brain”. Cheers. 🪕
I picked up a banjo at one of our local shops a few weeks ago and said the same thing about the weight. Not sure why I expected it to be really light. But I was shocked at how heavy it was.
Ahh, brings me back to when Trogly couldn't play guitar, but he tried... lol. Keep trying and you'll get as good as you are at the guitar now. What a beautiful banjo.
I am already the proud owner of a Gibson Mastertone banjo as well a couple other Gibson products. I most certainly don't need another. That SG at 2:40 though....
Urban legend? The banjo "invented" the dreadnought. That's because the pre-dreadnought guitars couldn't be heard over the music made by the banjo, fiddle, bass, and singer. Hence, the manufacturers had to make a bigger guitar. Martin saw an opportunity and the rest is history. That's what I heard on some podcast or other. Correct me, please.
Rip Earl Scruggs I have one fact about him he is a part of the band Bill Monroes band with Lester flatt Lester and Earl were know for the song about engineer Steve Brodie and about the train crash he was in the song was called the wreck of the old 97
Bravo AustinI'm fascinated with all stringed instruments. My 1st grade teacher kept a Zither in the class. I guess that got the ball rolling for me in 19 and 64✌️👽🌵
oh man, when I heard you say "banjo" I was hoping it would be one of the Zombie Killers (Deering released two special banjos, both pretty darn cool, and you'll just have to look it up to understand them because I can't concisely explain them).
I was once dragged down to a car boot sale by my Dad who said there was a second hand banjo. I went down to take a look. The guy wanted £100. I offered him £5 as the neck was like a banana. I walked away.
You should do a sequel to this video in the future by reviewing Lester Flatt's signature Martin D-28. Flatt was totally the old school bluegrass version of Clapton. Flatt picking was named after him.
Trog my lord Mr. SCRUGG's "Slash" PLEASE !! this man is the DNA of the 5 string Banjo period ! Great to see an acoustic instrument on your great show 👍
Love the story! 🪕🪕🪕 Hope it's everything he dreamt of and gets many more years of playing. Been curious about the 5 string. I have a Harmony tenor banjo I love and use for early jazz/ragtime fun.
Love the channel and I'm a long time subscriber since the first episode and I hate to leave bad comments but you just tap danced on the set up on this banjo.if you take it apart you have to start all over setting it up and it is a hard task that involves more than just "putting it back together".😮
🎶 If it weren't for Cotton eye Joe l'd been married a long time ago 🎶 Is that Gibson inspired by epiphone or Epiphone inspired by Gibson just curious. Were you using banjo pics. If not that might make a little difference in the sound.
Austin - OMG - normally I get a chuckle out of a few things in your show, but damn - that intro had me rolling!!! Love you brother! Thanks for all the GREAT entertainment!!!!
Hi Trogly ! I really like your vidéos ! I wonder if you could test the Epiphone Power Players SG. I'm kind of a Gibson guy myself and my wife offered me this guitar as something to travel everywhere, but this thing really sings to me, more than my Gibson guitars, so I wonder if you could do a review on it, cause I think it could be cool for you and for this guitar.
Owned the Gold one. It was terrible, fell apart and honestly a used Goldstar is better than this junk. I only have a strong opinion because I’ve owned it, I bought a cheaper one that sounds better. This does not sound like a Gibson banjo. It sounds like one you can get off ali express, please spend your money elsewhere, I made that mistake and don’t want anyone to get in debt over a terrible sounding instrument.
No finger picks? I think most pickers use those. Also, why not do the Led Zeppelin song with banjo (Gallows Pole)? My brother was one hell of a banjo player. RIP, Mark.
5 string banjos are pretty much it 2024. Tenor banjos are largely relegated to the Philadelphia Mummers parade and Dixieland tevivalists. Or the few if any Shakey's restaurants.
All Hail Trogly!
Austin, again...thank you so much. Helping me be able to create this moment/memory is beyond words.
That tool is the banjo equivalent of a drum key. It allows you to properly tension the banjo head so that it sounds good.
No, that "elongated tool" he mentioned is for the truss rod. The tool you are talking about is literally a drum key and is usually in a smaller paper-package, but unfortunately Epiphone doesn't include this anymore. You'll have to buy the 'head-key' separately.
I have a mandolin-banjo that once belonged to my grandfather. From what I could tell it was made in the 1910’s, making it over a 100 years old. My grandfather (or Nonno) as I used to call him was a brilliant man and a talented musician. He was completely self taught and would often play by ear, improvising these amazing compositions on the fly. His music was amazing and full of passion and life. A true artist. Growing up without a father, he was my whole world and such an inspiration. He taught me how to play the organ and instilled in me a creative spirit which I carried forth with me into my own songwriting. A gifted man and my hero. I miss him every single day.
My Grandfather encouraged me to take up guitar when I was young. My Grandfather played mostly Banjo, but could pick a mean guitar too.
I'm researching a late 1800s Banjo my Grandfather gifted me.
I also miss my Grandfather, the times/era he lived through were tough times, nothing at all like we enjoy nowadays.
You were Blessed to have such a man in your life, sounds like he was Blessed with you in his life too.
@ Hey Hk. Thank you for the kind comment. My grandfather was the definition of the word “hero”. He fought in WWII as part of Italy’s elite commando regiment who operated in the Alps, the Alpini. When Mussolini came into power he and a lot of his company disbanded and joined the partisans. The partisans conducted intelligence and espionage operations behind enemy lines, fighting back against the fascists. His brother died but he managed to survive until the end of the war but only because of his intelligence, resourcefulness and mental toughness. He moved to Australia after the war to farm Sugar Cane and remained there until he passed quite a few years ago now. As I mentioned before I grew up without a father and even though my mum remarried, the man she married was abusive as well. I spent most of my childhood with my grandfather. He was the one person who loved me unconditionally. He made me the man I am now. My brother ended up like my father. A violent criminal with substance abuse issues. I put that down to him not spending the time with my grandfather like I did. He was the polar opposite of my grandfather. Your grandad seems great too. Clearly he cherished you and entrusted you with his legacy. Again, thanks for the comment. It’s great to see some positivity in chat for a change. Not as common these days. Merry Christmas.
You should really append this with a video of Grampa playing it at the end after receiving…puts a face with the great backstory and he can be a part of the fancy RUclips show. We can get a great demo from a banjo guy. 🙂
I came here to say the same thing….love to see his reaction!
You’re the man Landon, beautiful gesture!
What a lot of fun! Thanks Landon and Trogly for this close look and demo of this beautiful Epiphone Earl Scruggs Deluxe Banjo!
Congrats both Paps and Landon.
Landon, what a beautiful and generous gift to your Grandfather.
Pap's, if you read this comment I have a questions for you, what do you know about a SS Stewart Wonder Tone Banjo from the late 1800s.
This SSStewart is highly ornate with mother of pearl inlays all up and down the fingerboard and headstock, the back of the banjo's Resonator is completely inlayed with 1000s of multicolored wood inlays. This Banjo was a gift from my Grandfather, sadly, he never got around to telling me it's story!
Congrats on your new Banjo Sir, enjoy. I hope you're a picking and a grinning!
I just saw that Earl Scruggs Gibson banjo in person! I live in Oklahoma City where the American Banjo Museum is! They have soooo many famous banjos and a ton of Gibsons. Anyone who comes to Oklahoma should check that place out. Only cost like $5 to get in.
13:13 if that serial number is formatted like an electric guitar, it would read a manufactured date of March 2024 at Factory 13 in China, production number 12267.
Bro. I don’t even like banjo and this is probably my favorite video of yours ever. I had to pause after the intro ‘cause I could not stop laughing 🤣
What a cool gift for that guys grandpa, not just the banjo but your video review of it as the icing on the cake.
Great stuff dude!!
What's the difference between a banjo and a trampoline? You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline..
What’s the same between a lawsuit and a banjo? Everyone’s relieved when the case is closed
I think that blue bit on the 5th string is to keep it from digging into the binding, just a guess though. Beautiful instrument.
I would love to see some footage of the new owner putting it through the proper paces.
My grandpa played banjo way back when… sadly we have no idea where that went as it was already gone when my dad was in high school and then my grandpa passed away when I was a toddler. When grandma had to go into a nursing home we cleaned out her house, but no banjo. One of his brothers was actually a violin maker!
Thanks for sharingLandon. Rwmp actually makes drum heads in addition to the face or head on a banjo. I've considered actually learning the banjo . Just for the fact of some of the songs like Mr BoJangles and other pop songs from the late 60s early 70s . I worked for a local promoter in my town that booked Earl Scruggs for a show at a club in the neighbing city of Thibodaux Louisiana. Mr Scruggs was quite cordial and very friendly as if you were one of his long time friends. He even gave us a walk through of his tour bus which was a beautiful country and western style interior in a dependable Blue Bird. Add a D in the middle of the double C tuning and you have one of Jimmy Page's favorite tunings.
Best intro ever 😂
My grandfather Victor Rigsby played with Earl many many times.. look him up he was the Indiana state fiddle champion
I bought a banjo and a baby Taylor last year off my preacher. Still need to practice on the banjo more lol
I started on my great grandfather's 1877 banjo. Now I have a very nice Epiphone.
I would say Earl Scruggs is more the Les Paul/Charlie Christian/ Chuck Berry of the banjo. Most modern banjo players are in some way trying to play like Scruggs. Bluegrass starts with Bill Monroe but Flatt and Scruggs take it Hollywood with The Ballad of Jed Clampett. And like every other great early bluegrass musician, Scruggs got his start playing in Bill Monroe's band.
Yeah and Roy Clark is more like the Slash
Yeah there's not really any guitarist quite like Scruggs. Scruggs style is the most common picking style on the banjo and yeah it's really called Scruggs style because of him!
He's all of the guitar heroes rolled into one and then some!
Way to go Landon,
that's a beautiful banjo
That is a very thoughtful gift. That story made me smile.
Awesome review! Maybe now you can complete your bluegrass reviews with an f type mandolin, upright bass, and a fiddle 😉
7:34 "Gibson inspired by Epihone" 😉
Nice one Trog :) Greetings from England :) I think Earl was more the Jimi Hendrix of the banjo because he was kind of that revolutionary. The straps have spring loaded shackles on the end and attach to the head tension hooks. Generally the first hook beneath the neck is used because that tilts the banjo into exactly the right position. Really you should use metal finger picks and a thumb pick because as some one said to me once "well you wouldn't turn up to play golf without your clubs would you". There is also the whole thing of de-tuners that weren't on your review banjo but are a lot of fun. Search for "The Flint Hill Special" to get the idea, Earl or JD Crowes versions are cool.
Closed back higher end banjos are also heavier because they have a "tone ring", between the head and rim. It's usually pretty heavy around 3-4 lbs on its own. ❤
Yes, the tone ring certainly adds weight. But they can be found on open back instruments, as well. I have a Gretsch Dixie Deluxe frailing banjo which I occasionally play just to “break my brain”. Cheers. 🪕
Banjo straps go through the luggs on the drum.
I picked up a banjo at one of our local shops a few weeks ago and said the same thing about the weight. Not sure why I expected it to be really light. But I was shocked at how heavy it was.
Ahh, brings me back to when Trogly couldn't play guitar, but he tried... lol. Keep trying and you'll get as good as you are at the guitar now. What a beautiful banjo.
I am already the proud owner of a Gibson Mastertone banjo as well a couple other Gibson products. I most certainly don't need another. That SG at 2:40 though....
Urban legend? The banjo "invented" the dreadnought. That's because the pre-dreadnought guitars couldn't be heard over the music made by the banjo, fiddle, bass, and singer. Hence, the manufacturers had to make a bigger guitar. Martin saw an opportunity and the rest is history. That's what I heard on some podcast or other. Correct me, please.
Thanks for trying to learn and play. 👍
I don't normally like SGs, but that SG you showed is MAGNIFICENT
Took MANY years to find one - a crown jewel for sure. ruclips.net/video/zQrIXQLf_h4/видео.html&pp=ygUTdHJvZ2x5IGZseWluZyBlYWdsZQ%3D%3D
This is the best yet ! We’re all swimmg in the cement pond out back lovin it! More orange blosom . Come on y’all make granny happy. 😊
5 string banjo are tuned G, D, G, B, D. That is what Earl used. The top of he banjo is called a head as in a drum head. (It actually is a drum head.)
You definitely have an affinity for the banjo, Trogly.
I love banjos! What a nice epiphone 🥰🥰
Rip Earl Scruggs I have one fact about him he is a part of the band Bill Monroes band with Lester flatt Lester and Earl were know for the song about engineer Steve Brodie and about the train crash he was in the song was called the wreck of the old 97
The tool is also used on the truss rod on alot of banjos too
Bravo AustinI'm fascinated with all stringed instruments. My 1st grade teacher kept a Zither in the class. I guess that got the ball rolling for me in 19 and 64✌️👽🌵
Fun episode and congrats to gramps on the dream toy!
nice little deliverance shoutout in the tone demos, thumbs up
That's one nice banjo!
I hope he gets a lot of joy out of it!
oh man, when I heard you say "banjo" I was hoping it would be one of the Zombie Killers (Deering released two special banjos, both pretty darn cool, and you'll just have to look it up to understand them because I can't concisely explain them).
Thats a great gift for "Paps" birthday! I hope someone treats me to a great present on my 80th. like that. (8 years to go).
I really 😂enjoyed that intro. Your best yet. Gave me a big smile. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@ beautiful instruments too.
You sound pretty good playing that Joe!
Just wow. That thing is gorgeous. Looks better than the pictures.
Earl Scruggs! 🤘
great Episode Trogly! beautiful Banjo 🪕
I was once dragged down to a car boot sale by my Dad who said there was a second hand banjo. I went down to take a look. The guy wanted £100. I offered him £5 as the neck was like a banana. I walked away.
Beautiful.
Would love to hear a follow up on this one.
Lmao that bad southern accent in the beginning😂😂
That’s the craziest wood I’ve ever seen on an SG
You strap up a banjo with straps that have hooks on the ends. The hooks go on the long screws that hold the head to the body.
I have a cheapie banjo that broke my brain but I think you got further in a couple hours than I did. I didn't go so far as to get picks either
Surprised there was no mention of the figured Ebony fretboard.
Hopefully, someone is filming when Paps opens his gift. I would love to you feature see his reaction on the channel.
Paint some EVH stripes on it ! Thanks Trog !
I had an Earl Scruggs Gibson banjo for a while. It was heavy but had a great tone. Curious how close this epiphone stacks up.
I wonder do the Gibson level ones come with fret nibs?
It would be cool if Landon could do a video of his grandad playing his new Banjo and you feature it on another show.
Missed opportunity for Rainbow Connection, my friend.
It's Trogly's Jugband Christmas!
You should do a sequel to this video in the future by reviewing Lester Flatt's signature Martin D-28. Flatt was totally the old school bluegrass version of Clapton. Flatt picking was named after him.
The 2 bars are to adjust. The tilt on the neck.
Okay… I stuck around and learned a thing or two. Thanks Trogly.
Glad to hear!
Trog my lord Mr. SCRUGG's "Slash" PLEASE !! this man is the DNA of the 5 string Banjo period !
Great to see an acoustic instrument on your great show 👍
That's properly nice. I'm almost tempted.
Love the story! 🪕🪕🪕 Hope it's everything he dreamt of and gets many more years of playing. Been curious about the 5 string. I have a Harmony tenor banjo I love and use for early jazz/ragtime fun.
You use a banjo clip it’s a strap with two clips that attach to the body of the banjo to wear it instead of a “guitar like strap” with strap buttons
Keep up the great content, always enjoyable! Thanks Trogly!!!
I love the intro, Austin. XD
Great edit, great video!
What a fun video! Thanks
Love the channel and I'm a long time subscriber since the first episode and I hate to leave bad comments but you just tap danced on the set up on this banjo.if you take it apart you have to start all over setting it up and it is a hard task that involves more than just "putting it back together".😮
2 min in crew, hello fellow Troglodytes!!
Pretty freaking nice...
Really good video love the banjo and the accent lol
Well, that was different 😉😉😉
🎶 If it weren't for Cotton eye Joe l'd been married a long time ago 🎶
Is that Gibson inspired by epiphone or Epiphone inspired by Gibson just curious.
Were you using banjo pics. If not that might make a little difference in the sound.
I litterally spit out coffee at the intro with the accent
All he needed was a guy playing a three X empty Whiskey Jug 😂😂😂
Austin - OMG - normally I get a chuckle out of a few things in your show, but damn - that intro had me rolling!!! Love you brother! Thanks for all the GREAT entertainment!!!!
Love a good Deliverance episode
I’ve never wanted to own a banjo until now.
It is possible to have quality craftsmanship in China. Anyone who's ever played an Eastman can attest to that.
The banjo is cool but that SG is🤤.
Hi Trogly ! I really like your vidéos ! I wonder if you could test the Epiphone Power Players SG. I'm kind of a Gibson guy myself and my wife offered me this guitar as something to travel everywhere, but this thing really sings to me, more than my Gibson guitars, so I wonder if you could do a review on it, cause I think it could be cool for you and for this guitar.
Well, it seems like a good deal for a Banjo guy
Pappy always wanted one of dem dare fancy Banjo’s
Then Trogly tore it apart and it never played right again 😂
Life was hard for the pioneers, but every now and then someone would break out a banjo and make it so much worse.
Owned the Gold one. It was terrible, fell apart and honestly a used Goldstar is better than this junk. I only have a strong opinion because I’ve owned it, I bought a cheaper one that sounds better.
This does not sound like a Gibson banjo. It sounds like one you can get off ali express, please spend your money elsewhere, I made that mistake and don’t want anyone to get in debt over a terrible sounding instrument.
Bluegrass world's Slash? More like the bluegrass world's Hendrix.
No Steve Martin signature model?
What a beautiful gift and sentiment '
No finger picks? I think most pickers use those. Also, why not do the Led Zeppelin song with banjo (Gallows Pole)?
My brother was one hell of a banjo player. RIP, Mark.
5 string banjos are pretty much it 2024. Tenor banjos are largely relegated to the Philadelphia Mummers parade and Dixieland tevivalists. Or the few if any Shakey's restaurants.
I still say you should learn some bluegrass licks on acoustic. You have the skill.