Re: 60's Vega SS-5 Folklore long-neck banjo

Sounds like quite a collection, Tim! I've never seen a cello banjo irl.
What kind of musical situations do you use it for?

In addition to my Gibson longneck, I have another cheapo longneck
(probably Harmony) with a plastic pot that I keep hanging on the wall of
my classroom. (I'm a high school English teacher.) I have a banjo uke
from Slingerland, and two 100-year old 5-strings that were probably
mail-order banjos: one strung with steel, the other nylon. And a very
old tenor that needs a new head.

Isn't it fun to have the right banjo for the job?

Which is the one you play the most, Tim?

On 2026-01-16, Tim Rhodes <[email protected]> wrote:
> Have not seen in active posts in most usenet groups for a while...
>
> I have several banjos include some unique, like a 4 string cello banjo, a 
> missing link baritone, an electric banjo and many 5 strings and tenors.
> I don't have a long neck and it should be in my collection.  For low
> tuning, I dod have one RB-250 with heavier gauge strings tuned down to E.
>
> Colin <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I know this is an old post, but I can't pass up a chance to talk about
>> the Gibson RB-175. 
>> 
>> I bought mine used in 1995 at Different Strummer at
>> the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. It has been in my
>> collection ever since, great for any old time styles and of course for
>> Seeger-style folk accompaniment--very versatile.  It has required very
>> little upkeep over the years, a real workhorse.
>> 
>> (Incidentally, this is my first usenet post ever!)
>> Colin.
>> 
>> On 2020-09-07, Robert Skaff <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> I bought one brand new in 1966. The catalogue price was $205.00 Plays
>>>  very nice but I still use my Pete Seger for shows.
>>>> Hal-
>>>> I have a Gibson RB-175 that I got new in 1963 and I like the way it
>>>> plays and sounds, always have. I have a plastic head on it and use
>>>> medium gauge (bronze wound 4th) strings. It was my main player for a
>>>> lot of yrs. It has a little solid brass tone ring. Incidentally, the
>>>> neck is straight on it to this day. I recommend it. The Vega basic
>>>> model long neck is very similar. I think the Gibson looks and sounds
>>>> better IMO. I hope this helps you in your choice.
>>>> Dave
>>>> "banjowine" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:
>>>> <[email protected]>...
>>>> > Hi:
>>>> > Thanks for the response.
>>>> > 
>>>> > This banjo was made by Vega before they sold
>>>> > to Martin. Since the seller lives about 4,000 miles
>>>> > from me, I wanted to see what other people
>>>> > thought. My other choices are a Gibson RB-175,
>>>> > or an Baldwin-Ode (with resonator). I am looking
>>>> > for a long neck so I can sing along again (somewhere
>>>> > along the way over the past 40 years
>>>> > my voice has gotten lower!!). I play clawhammer
>>>> > and "folky" style. I also like a more
>>>> > plunky, old timey sound rather than the "bluegrass"
>>>> > high pitched tone. Can any one help? Or does
>>>> > anyone have something like this for sale or know of
>>>> > one?
>>>> > 
>>>> > Thanks,
>>>> > 
>>>> > Hal
>
> -- 
>