Carthage Reenactment

Comment by Matthew Mickletz on November 8, 2012 at 10:07pm

Dan'l . . . 

I'm gonna be the bigger man here.  I really don't want to get into reenactor junk on here AGAIN, out of respect for what this forum is about.  There are tons of other forums dedicated to that.  Banjos first!  

Alls I can say is, use some tact when launching into describing "campaigner" style reenactors, one or more may be in your midst and not be too flattered by the wording.  

PS - I don't roll in the dirt.  

Comment by Silas Tackitt on November 9, 2012 at 10:20am

Speaking from the prospective as a one who is considered by mainstreamers to be a card carrying, dirt rolling, button pissing, stitching nazi and uberhardcore, I am a little upset about Daniel's remarks. 

I share Matthew's and Nicholas' responses.  There are many things wrong with that photo, but this is a forum about minstrel banjo.  The music is the thing.  Correct sound and correct music is what matters.  As for sound, I know where you can get a Marty Liebschner banjo with gut strings for $375.  I'd purchase it myself, but I've already got two banjos.  I could purchase it, but I may lose a wife in the process.  I'm all for keeping the wife. 

Comment by Nicholas A Bechtel on November 9, 2012 at 10:47am

I love rolling in the dirt, in my very short time being an reenactor some of my best deaths have been me rolling in the dirt, oooh the agony of being gut shot! I did the same roll in agony going by someones camp while they were playing a Takamine guitar singing Tom Petty,...whom I love. But not here in my pretend world of the 19th century. Silas nailed it. Try and stay true to the songs that would have been popular up to that point. That really adds to the whole effect if portraying the period is what your after.  Not sure what a campaigner is yet. I have an event this weekend, I will ask around. I do know what a Farb is. I am trying not to step in that pile.

Comment by Joel Hooks on November 9, 2012 at 12:16pm

Well, Dan'l's goal has been reached. Keep a screen shot of his post, cause it will...

A. Vanish
B. Change

Comment by Rob Morrison on November 9, 2012 at 1:32pm

Per Dan'l's comment on the "scoop" for "post 1900 'old-timey' stroke styles, some early minstrel era banjos did have scoops.  Most didn't, but they are not necessarily anachronistic either.--Rob Morrison

Comment by Joel Hooks on November 9, 2012 at 7:42pm

Yes Rob, but they were more likely used for a different reason.  Also this banjo is a fretted late era, these would not be seen with that portion of the fingerboard missing.

As for use, the famous Dobson Patent (a current obsession in the old time banjo crowd) specifically state that the missing portion is to prevent the inconvenience of removing the handle when renewing the head.  That patent then explains that the cover extends over the head for fingering higher notes.

Comment by plucknpick on November 9, 2012 at 10:09pm

This was the best -I- could -do -for- the -situation banjo..Didn't even know what a Boucher Banjo was....I play a Deering Calico...and didn't even know that Reenactors played music.  

And Joel,  I have the right clothes now....took me a while to get the $$.   The Bodhran was not only popular in the CW, I have accounts in a journal of letters about the soldiers putting a hole in a drummers drum head, waiting for him to throw it away, and they made banjos and bodrahns!  Especially the Irish Brigades of the North and South.   So I have the documentation...  Mandolin is another story....

I also play bones and other stuff....

Want to get a Bell and Sons kit....$$$is always in short supply....

Comment by Silas Tackitt on November 9, 2012 at 11:34pm

Worry not.  You are new and have become an unwitting participant in the never ending battle between the Us's vs. the Thems of the CW reenacting world. 

FYI, the bodhran issue has been argued many times over.  It's not a CW era instrument.  Tambo, yes.  Bodhran, no. 

Comment by Matthew Mickletz on November 10, 2012 at 7:50pm

Bout done with all this.

I'm happy that the majority on here are wonderful people whom I learned A LOT from and have the utmost respect for.  Or else I'd turn tail and run!  

plucknpick - I'm sorry this thread turned in the direction it did and that I even contributed to it.  I felt insulted for al the hard work I put into being a "campaigner".  Indeed the same sort of hardwork I put into my banjo and playing it.  All that aside:  Welcome to the forum!  You will indeed learn tons!  If you ever want info on reenacting stuff (gear etc.), feel free to contact me I've been in it a while.  Take your time my friend, again, lots to learn from on here while the pennies are saved!  

Comment by Bell Banjos on November 10, 2012 at 8:18pm

You know what I like about this photo?  No guitars.

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