Source
r/banjo•
fourunner

My wife wants to play the banjo... What to buy to set her up.

She loves the "Dead South", and similar music. Looking around it seems the Gold Tone AC-1 is the best bang for the buck to get someone started. I saw in another post someone mentioned the "Scruggs Corner" booklet for some reference and learning material.

Any ideas on maybe different strings, brand or style of picks (thin fingers), or any other beginner friendly material for learning? Anything else I might be forgetting?

Posted Mar 26, 2023, 3:13 AM UTC

521
valiamo•

The AC-1 is a good beginner banjo. It sounds good, and keeps tune well.

Picks are personal preference. I use a plastic thumb pick and Ernie Ball finger picky picks. Dunlop also makes finger picks. She would have to try some on for feel and fit.

Get her watching Eli Gilbert 30 days of banjo (on youtube) which is a great beginner set of lessons ( and he has a free PDF copy of the course you can download. Also watch Jim Pankey for his bluegrass beginner lessons.

5
Doc_colettiClawhammer•

Dead south is more old time than bluegrass, so she may prefer clawhammer, 2 finger or old time three finger to bluegrass/Scruggs style.

https://youtu.be/OPWhFYMUnAo here’s a vid showing the difference in sound between clawhammer and bluegrass style

4
fourunnerOP•

Ah good to know thanks.

1
_crossingrivers•

Also check out the Deering Goodtime — maybe a used one

Find a local jam session and learn from folks there.

3
WheresTheBluegrass•

Check our your local Church of Scientology for a good deal on a new or used Deering

-5
grahawk•

Dead South is often not standard bluegrass Scruggs style picking so I would suggest looking at three and two finger oldtime picking.

3
Doc_colettiClawhammer•

Yeah they get lumped in to bluegrass for ease of advertising and seo shit.

2
BethPlaysBanjo•

You should buy her some lessons at your local music store

1
TrainWreckInnaBarn•

Lots O resources for beginners. For Scruggs style, I recommend the Banjo Primer Book. for clawhammer, I recommend The How and Tao of Old Time Banjo

1
WheresTheBluegrass•

Ole Geoff may be a whack job but he wrote a decent banjo book one time.

1
TrainWreckInnaBarn•

I did not know he was crazy. Pat is crazy too. Maybe I just like the books that crazy banjoists write. 😆

1
mrshakeshaft•

I have that book! It’s great. What’s wrong with Geoff?

1
Doc_colettiClawhammer•

A lot of people find his sales and ads tactics distasteful, and his prices inflated. I’ve never interacted with him so no idea personally, but that’s the gist I’ve gotten over the last year playing banjo and reading comments online

1
mrshakeshaft•

I see, cheers for filling me in!

1
Atillion•

I learned on a gold tone, great beginner instrument. The world of information is at your fingertips!

1
Main-Mind1316•

Make sure she knows what type of music she prefers before you buy. The styles and the banjos are different as are the weights. I play both and have resonator and open backed. Tending to old time now although understand her interest in Dead South. Some interesting riffs. But old time via the frailing/ clawhammer style has me fascinated and building up a repertoire despite my advanced years. Use You Tube to search out tunes she likes and see how people play them. The jams are different as well. Have fun and welcome her to a very special group of people.

Ps. Have a look at Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck explaining and demonstrating the scruggs and clawhammer style on you tube

1
fourunnerOP•

Appreciate all the replies. Thanks,

1
Turbulent-Flan-2656•

Ibanez b200 and b300 are a little more expensive, but better than the ac1

1
banjo-avenger•

Tell her to stay away from the cello player

1
YamberPinetree•

I only glanced at this post as I was scrolling and originally thought it said "What to buy to get her to stop" 😂😂😂

1
fourunnerOP•

That might be next month. Banjo incoming lol

2
YamberPinetree•

😂😂 Awww, exciting! She must be over the moon!

1
Plenty-Pen-1442•

I have a couple banjos for sale

1