In the fall of 62 I formed a folk group. At that time there were a lot of banjos in pawn shops. I bought an SS Stewart about 50 years old at the time. Our group did well enough that I replaced that banjo in 63 with an Ode Grade 3 long neck. A great banjo my brother still has. In the early 70's I bought a Gibson Mastertone. They were just getting good again and I got a good one. It was my working banjo for 20 years.
In 1990 I realized that both the Ome (formerly Ode) companies and Deering would give me a good deal on their banjos. Through the 90's a played an Ome Mega Vox plectrum and a Deering GDL 5 string (with the spikes at the 7th, 9th & 10th frets I can play easily in sharp keys)
About 15 years ago I started playing Deering exclusively. They made me a GDL with a plectrum neck. Very nice.
When the Tenbrooks came out I was interested in seeing how they played (feeling that at the prices offered I could somehow rationalize them as an investment.) They are wonderful.
Two years ago I corresponded with Buddy Wachter about Vega Vox's from the 60's-and pulled the trigger. Just love it on all levels. It does get beat up a little on a tour like I'm on now.
Three years ago I got my SS Stewart back from my first singing partner. I got very emotional as I held it and played it realizing that 50 years earlier a 15 year old boy had played his first notes on a five string banjo on what was then a 50 year old banjo and now my fingers were interwoven with that boy's-with my young fingers-playing a banjo now 100 years old. A precious moment for me.
I have had good luck with all the instruments. In a two hour Brothers Four concert we include a medley of bluegrass songs-a medley of ragtime songs-also play folk style and frail a bit. I do agree that there are a lot of good banjo makers out there these days.
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