Fretted vs. Fretless - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-28T23:25:03Zhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/fretted-vs-fretless?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A80206&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI am thinking about building…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-02-25:2477478:Comment:829622013-02-25T17:22:34.042ZMark Shimonkevitzhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/MarkShimonkevitz
<p>I am thinking about building a kit, or picking up another fretless. I did briefly own an old SS Stewart several years ago that was re-'boarded as a fretless. It was great fun to play, but I didn't know enough about it, got into a rut of playing the same old stuff, so I sold it. Too bad.</p>
<p>I am thinking about building a kit, or picking up another fretless. I did briefly own an old SS Stewart several years ago that was re-'boarded as a fretless. It was great fun to play, but I didn't know enough about it, got into a rut of playing the same old stuff, so I sold it. Too bad.</p> Mark, If you are concerned ab…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-02-25:2477478:Comment:829582013-02-25T17:06:46.933ZAl Smitleyhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/AlSmitley
<p>Mark, If you are concerned about showing up at Antietam without a fretless banjo, I can bring an extra gourd banjo or Frank Proffitt-style fretless for you to use for the weekend........but I am forgetful and will need to be reminded.</p>
<p>Also, it is likely that someone else will have a better option to offer.</p>
<p>Mark, If you are concerned about showing up at Antietam without a fretless banjo, I can bring an extra gourd banjo or Frank Proffitt-style fretless for you to use for the weekend........but I am forgetful and will need to be reminded.</p>
<p>Also, it is likely that someone else will have a better option to offer.</p> Mark--I'm still playing my fr…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-02-25:2477478:Comment:827802013-02-25T17:06:37.898ZRob Morrisonhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/RobertRMorrison
<p>Mark--I'm still playing my fretted Dobson non-stop. Stroke style or banjo style was certainly played on fretted instruments from as early as the 1860's, and there are many fretted instruments which work very well for the early music. Remember Joe Ayers' seminal recordings were done on a modern fretted banjo.--Rob</p>
<p>Mark--I'm still playing my fretted Dobson non-stop. Stroke style or banjo style was certainly played on fretted instruments from as early as the 1860's, and there are many fretted instruments which work very well for the early music. Remember Joe Ayers' seminal recordings were done on a modern fretted banjo.--Rob</p> It's always more about the mu…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-02-25:2477478:Comment:829572013-02-25T16:48:20.503ZTim Twisshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
<p>It's always more about the music you play than the instrument you have.</p>
<p>It's always more about the music you play than the instrument you have.</p> Well, being a Maryland local,…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-02-25:2477478:Comment:828752013-02-25T16:45:09.383ZMark Shimonkevitzhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/MarkShimonkevitz
<p>Well, being a Maryland local, with a lot of experience camping in heat and humidity, I'm tempted to bring a Gold Tone (fretted) with a carbon neck and a modern head. Will that get me banished from the camp area?</p>
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<p>I do have an old fretted Buckbee that I rarely play, but it's a great old banjo.</p>
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<p>Seriously, I am really looking forward to it. I have not really attempted to play any stroke- or Minstrel-style playing. But I relish the opportunity to hear others play,…</p>
<p>Well, being a Maryland local, with a lot of experience camping in heat and humidity, I'm tempted to bring a Gold Tone (fretted) with a carbon neck and a modern head. Will that get me banished from the camp area?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I do have an old fretted Buckbee that I rarely play, but it's a great old banjo.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Seriously, I am really looking forward to it. I have not really attempted to play any stroke- or Minstrel-style playing. But I relish the opportunity to hear others play, see some great old banjos, and learn more history.</p>
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<p>Thanks for the reply.</p> Showing up with an open mind…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-02-25:2477478:Comment:829552013-02-25T16:39:45.663ZTim Twisshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
<p>Showing up with an open mind is the only criteria. Plenty of banjos to play, and lots of helpful folks. You won't regret it.</p>
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<p>Showing up with an open mind is the only criteria. Plenty of banjos to play, and lots of helpful folks. You won't regret it.</p>
<p> </p> As a beginning banjo player,…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-02-25:2477478:Comment:827032013-02-25T16:34:44.465ZMark Shimonkevitzhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/MarkShimonkevitz
<p>As a beginning banjo player, and a bit of a "lurker" on this site, I looked up this thread after signing up for Antietam '13. I wondered what I would do there without a fretless banjo. I guess I will not be as out of place as I thought. Other than the fact that I cannot play banjo hardly at all, I mean. All those years of guitar have ruined me.</p>
<p>As a beginning banjo player, and a bit of a "lurker" on this site, I looked up this thread after signing up for Antietam '13. I wondered what I would do there without a fretless banjo. I guess I will not be as out of place as I thought. Other than the fact that I cannot play banjo hardly at all, I mean. All those years of guitar have ruined me.</p> Ian-- I'll certainly bring th…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-01-15:2477478:Comment:802062013-01-15T01:16:07.817ZRob Morrisonhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/RobertRMorrison
<p>Ian-- I'll certainly bring the Dobson to Antietam. I do plan to be there. My only worry is that the humidity will defeat the skin head like it did last year In addition to playing with correct intonation it's also great in situations that require simple two or three note chord formations up the neck.--Rob</p>
<p>Ian-- I'll certainly bring the Dobson to Antietam. I do plan to be there. My only worry is that the humidity will defeat the skin head like it did last year In addition to playing with correct intonation it's also great in situations that require simple two or three note chord formations up the neck.--Rob</p> We'll all look forward to hea…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-01-14:2477478:Comment:805012013-01-14T23:45:51.521ZIan Bellhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/IanBell
<p>We'll all look forward to hearing lots of it at Antietam Rob! Much as I love my fretless instruments, there are lots of tunes (Dark Horse Reel is one in particular that springs to mind) that I'd much rather play on my old Peerless with frets. My intonation is SO much more reliable that way - especially on numbers where you find yourself up in 10th position.</p>
<p>We'll all look forward to hearing lots of it at Antietam Rob! Much as I love my fretless instruments, there are lots of tunes (Dark Horse Reel is one in particular that springs to mind) that I'd much rather play on my old Peerless with frets. My intonation is SO much more reliable that way - especially on numbers where you find yourself up in 10th position.</p> Joel--Yeah and of course when…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-01-14:2477478:Comment:803102013-01-14T20:22:34.653ZRob Morrisonhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/RobertRMorrison
<p>Joel--Yeah and of course when Henry Dobson started playing he played in practically nothing but banjo style since that was about all there was when he began. I was really delighted how well my Chas. Dobson banjo sounds and plays in the low minstrel tuning with gut strings. It's a real joy. I don't think one would have the same success with an S. S. Stewart banjo. They are engineered differently.--Rob</p>
<p>Joel--Yeah and of course when Henry Dobson started playing he played in practically nothing but banjo style since that was about all there was when he began. I was really delighted how well my Chas. Dobson banjo sounds and plays in the low minstrel tuning with gut strings. It's a real joy. I don't think one would have the same success with an S. S. Stewart banjo. They are engineered differently.--Rob</p>