Best Gourd for your buck?

[Canaan Myskowski]

Not really in the market for a gourd, but perhaps someday down the road.  I see lots of makers out there, but who do you think makes the best gourd banjo, and who makes the best gourd for your buck?

[Strumelia]

It depends on how much buck you balk at.

[Leonidas (Lee) Jones]

Actually, I am very interested in this discussion. I would think my next banjo will be a gourd. I believe that having too many banjos would be like smiling too much, it can't really be done. :)

[Tim Twiss]

I think everyone will tend to like the one they ownand say it is a good deal. Most I have seen on this site are very nice, and always come at a reasonable price. I have experience with Jay Moschella ( the one I am currently playing ) as well as Bell gourd banjos....very nice.

[Canaan Myskowski]

Jay's banjo's do look very nice, not sure what prices they go for. I have seen Barry Sholder's banjos, they go for around $300.  They do not seem to look as authentic as some of the other banjo makers. (IMHO)  The banjo factory ones seem to be nice as well. 

[Mark Weems]

Canaan, the only "authentic" gourd banjos are four stringers. They sound very different from the fivers and there is so much to learn by playing them.

[Cedric Watson]

I play 1 made by Barry Sholder in Georgia!! 

[Strumelia]

Price wise... I think of the three mentioned, Jay's are most, Menzies in the middle, and Sholder is lowest price....of those 3 makers.  Don't forget about Bob Thornburg's gourds as well, and David Hyatt has a good gourd banjer website with some makers listed as well: http://www.dhyatt.com/craftsmanship.html

[James Pentecost]

One of my favorite makers is Pete Ross of Jubilee Gourd Banjos in Maryland: www.banjopete.com

 

 

[Patrick Haas]

I have a gourd banjo from John Salicco, Banjofactory.com. I have a great time playing and it's reasonably priced.