Hey y’all! Today, I want to discuss gear. For those of my readers who are not
musicians, gear is basically the extra goodies that you use in the music making
process, or to complement your respective instrument. For instance, gear could
describe picks, capos, amplifiers, tuners, straps, cases, songbooks, or anything that
the human mind can contrive of to enhance the enjoyment of playing music.
One of the most
useful members of the gear family, in my opinion, is the instrument case.
Without a proper case for your instrument, your instrument is in danger of
being damaged, and is also more difficult to transport. Most cases also provide
compartments to store smaller gear, such as tuners, picks, and capos. I am
eager to discuss with all of you my favorite maker of instrument cases; TKL.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond TKL acoustic guitar hard case. Picture obtained from www.amazon.com
The TKL hard case
Durable
Made with plastic, wood, and/or metal construction
Thickly padded plush interior
Ample room to store more gear
TKL ‘s 24/7 limited lifetime warranty
TKL creates numerous cases in
various styles, and for various instruments. While I have never tried their
soft bags, I have many of their hard cases, and they have protected my
instrumentsfor many years. TKL
creates cases and bags for instruments ranging from oboes, to keyboards, to
guitars, to mandolins, to drums, DJ supplies, and even amplifiers. However,
since this blog mainly concentrates upon stringed instruments and chordophones,
I’m going to muse upon the hard cases TKL offers for stringed instruments.
Many of TKL’s stringed
instrument hard cases are built to similar standards. The exterior shell of
these cases are protected by a leather-like skin that TKL has dubbed, Durahyde.
Beneath the faux leather skin, multiple layers of hand laminated wood provide
solid protection. The case also includes clips for attaching shoulder straps,
and gold d-ring clasps. To prevent theft, these clasps can also be locked with
a key that comes with the case. The exterior of the case also boasts gold feet
to keep the case from being marred during transit and storage. Inside, one
will find a silky, plush, furry velour lining that resembles a 1970s pile shag
carpet. This sumptuous lining is also contoured to fit the appropriate
instrument, and support the neck of your instrument near the headstock, and the
base, or heel, of the instrument neck. An interior pouch with a small, furry,
hinged door can also be found inside the case.
I own many TKL cases and have not had difficulty with any of them. I
have used my cases in bad weather, and I even dropped one in a puddle, only to
find my instrument still safe, and intact, inside. Good luck in the never-ending
search for quality gear and great cases. Until next time, -Tom Kostelac
Visit www.tkl.com for yourself to explore their large selection of cases! Picture courtesy of www.amazon.com
Howdy! Today many
of y’all are going to discover how to purchase your first banjo! Anytime
someone thinks of bluegrass music, usually the banjo is one of the first images
that pop into one’s mind. One may imagine an Earl Scruggs tune flying off their
fingers, themselves playing an old timey spiritual on a porch surrounded by oak
trees bearing Spanish moss, or happily picking a banjo outside a cozy
mountain retreat. However, before one can join the fun, and become a banjo
picker, one must pick a banjo! Therefore, let us get down business, and decide
what banjo is best for you.
First, you must
decide what music you desire to play. Banjos come in many varieties. Here are
are few of the most common types of banjos.
The
Plectrum Banjo: This banjo has 4 strings, is tuned to CGDA as a
standard tuning, and boasts 22 frets. This type of banjo is played with a
single pick, and is used in Dixieland Music; a type of jazz music
originating in New Orleans.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Popular Dixiland Plectrum banjo. Picture obtained from www.amazon.com
The
Tenor Banjo: This banjo also has four strings, but has three popular
tunings; standard tuning: CGDA, Irish tuning: GDAE, and Chicago tuning: DGBE.
This type of banjo is also played with a single pick, and is used almost
exclusively in Irish traditional and Celtic music.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Popular Irish tenor banjo. Picture obtained from www.amazon.com
The
Open Back Banjo: These types of banjos are older than America itself!
Originating in West Africa, these banjos were first created by West African
tribes. They were made of hollow gourds, animal skin, and straight tree limbs.
During the Middle Passage and the Triangle Trade, or the point in which
Africans were brought to America as slaves, the instrument took on a new form.
A drone string, today, our 5th string, was added by Scottish
musicians to imitate the sound of their native bagpipes. The instrument evolved
into the minstrel banjo of the mid-19th century, and eventually into
the instrument we have today. Open back banjos today, basically resemble a
modern drum without a back. They also feature fret boards composed of 22 frets. These
are 5 stringed instruments, and have multiple tunings, with standard tuning:
GDGBD, being most popular. Other popular variants of this tuning, such as Sawmill
tuning: GDGCD, are also popular among banjoists. These banjos are played using
clawhammer or frailing style; a type of playing that involves rhythmic variable
strumming, alternating the use of the thumb and the backs of the finger nails.
Slave spirituals, American Civil War era music, and American folk
songs are popularly played on open back banjos. Famous open back banjo
musicians include Steve Martin, Tony Trischka, Janet Davis, and many others.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Popular open back banjo. Picture obtained from www.amazon.com
The
Resonator Banjo: Resonator Banjos are the most versatile and
commonplace banjo available. They were created in the early 1900s, the time in
which banjos nearly become extinct in America. At this time in history,
the banjo was an oddity only to be found in rural Appalachian, or deep
Southern regions of the United States. Suddenly, the resonator banjo was born.
The resonator banjo is what sparked the birth of modern banjo music. Musicians
such as Earl Scruggs, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Eric Weissberg, and many others promoted
the modern recognition of the banjo. Earl Scruggs, alternatively known as “The
Father of the Banjo”, created a new style of banjo picking in the first half of
the 20th century. His three-finger picking style can be heard in
songs such as Foggy Mountain Breakdown
and The Ballad of Jed Clampett. His
revolutionary style of playing involved using the thumb, index finger, and
middle finger to play notes with alarming speeds, all while sustaining a
recognizable melody. The resonator banjo is different from many banjos due to
its tone ring and wooden resonator that amplify its natural sound. Resonator
banjos can play softly, or just as loud as an amplified electric guitar. The
resonator can also be removed on many models to transform the banjo in to an
open back banjo. This type of banjo has 22 frets, and five strings that are
tuned to standard tuning: GDGBD. Due to its versatility, this banjo is a staple in bluegrass music, and continues to be used in rock ‘n roll, Southern rock,
Celtic music, classical music, some forms of blues, and even techno-music as
the musician, Bela Fleck, demonstrates.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond!Popular 5-string resonator banjo. Picture obtained from www.amazon.com
Since this blog
mainly caters to bluegrass and blues music, I am about to discuss with you which
two beginner resonator banjos I feel would be your best investment. The two
banjos I would recommend for a beginner banjoist would be either the Oscar
Schmidt 0B5 banjo, or the Deering Goodtime 2 banjo. Both, in my opinion, are good quality
instruments for the beginning player. As a side note, although these banjos may
seem expensive at $400 or more, it is much easier to play a quality beginner
instrument, than a poorly made one. I would advise saving money, and waiting to
buy a better instrument, than buying a poor quality instrument, sooner. You will
thank me later.
I, myself, am a
proud owner of the Oscar Schmidt OB5 resonator banjo. After the initial set-up,
or adjustments made to your new instrument by a trained technician, you will
find this banjo is easy to learn on, and leaves you ‘pickin’ and grinnin’!
Oscar Schmidt is a subsidiary of Washburn. Washburn has a reputation of making
quality acoustic instruments, and has been satisfying their customers since
1883. As Oscar Schmidt is owned by Washburn, you can expect a quality and
well-made instrument. One detrimental feature about this banjo, however, is the
fact that the instrument is bulkier than many of its competitor’s instruments.
Here are some of its features:
30 bracket cast aluminum tone ring
Remo banjo head
Mahogany resonator
Gloss finish
Geared 5th string tuner
Nato neck
Multi inlay rosewood fret board
22 frets
Chrome Armrest
Oscar Schmidt offers a lifetime warranty
Through Oscar Schmidt, the instrument costs $429.90
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Oscar Schmidt 0B5 Banjo. Picture obtained from www.amazon.com
Although I do
not own the Deering Goodtime 2 banjo, it is also a very respectable specimen. I
personally think this banjo offers a higher level of playability. It is even
easier to play than the Oscar Schmidt OB5, lighter in weight, and features a
better quality tone ring. However, this banjo is more expensive. While this
banjo plays slightly better in the hands of a beginner or pro, it does not
feature a glossy finish, armrest, or the extra beautification that you find in
the Oscar Schmidt OB5. Here are some of the features found in the Deering
Goodtime 2 Banjo.
Thanks for visiting Blues Bluegrass and Beyond! Goodtime 2 Banjo. Picture obtained from www.amazon.com
I personally have
played both banjos, and while both instruments have differences, they are both
quality instruments. Until next time, happy pickin'! – Tom Kostelac