If you have seen our product catalog or have perused our website, you know this product had come a long way from when our ancestors used a tree stump to cut their food up. Walnut banjos fall somewhere in the middle of the two. Just to follow-up on what Bobby (lightgauge) said: Is your current Deering Sierra maple or mahogany? Traditionally it is believed that maple gives a brighter, more piercing sound than walnut or mahogany. Laurence Diehl - Posted - 03/15/2014:  23:07:47. Has the sweet sound of mahogany with less sustain than a maple or walnut banjo. You will find many previous discussions by searching in the archives.In a nutshell: setup matters more than wood type, and the veneer on the resonator makes no difference at all.With that said, it's commonly held that a mahogany neck on a well-set-up banjo will produce a warmer sound, maple will produce a brighter sound, and walnut is somewhere in the middle. Walnut behaves similarly to maple, though it has its detractors.  ARCHIVED TOPIC: Mahogany vs Walnut Vs Maple, Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/281488. I was torn between the choice of walnut vs maple but I love the bright punchy sound of the maple. When paired with our -06- bell bronze tone ring, the Deluxe comes alive and gives you a banjo … Actually cedar is even lower but you don't see banjos or instrument necks made from cedar because of other unsuitable wood characteristics . This banjo is further regarded as having distinctive white binding that is accompanied with trim that is black and white. Straight Grain Maple. It’s deep color is prized by many banjoists. Non-tonal: for an amateur (like me) there are huge differences in the woodworking aspects. HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 06/16/2020:  10:29:27. Nick Danger - Posted - 03/17/2014:  15:07:25. With the optional Maple at no extra cost, the Sierra is also available with a brighter and more focused tone quality. Stelling Sunflower 5-String Maple Bluegrass Banjo With Case Sold Out $4,179.00. some of these factors can play a larger role in subsequent "movement" than the wood species. Does it make any difference with the reverb? maple is going to sound the brightest, have the most crack and bite. SPECS Size: Concert Head: Remo Weatherking® Back & Shell: Five-Ply Maple Hardware: Brass Finish: Black Satin Neck: Ma These questions may drive which direction to go in terms of choice of wood, if you're not in a position to try out a specific banjo beforehand. BigWood Boards specializes in cutting boards, cheese boards, serving trays, appetizer boards, bottle openers, and more. I kept leaning towards the mahogany sound but it seems with a good setup, they all can sound good. Living in areas with extreme humidity and temperature changes will have the most effect all other things aside. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/281488, banjogirlygirl - Posted - 03/15/2014:  15:32:05. Before I bought my Maple Sierra, I played the maple and mahogany Sierra's side by side several different times at the music store and there is a clear difference in the two. With that said, it's commonly held that a mahogany neck on a well-set-up banjo will produce a warmer sound, maple will produce a brighter sound, and walnut is somewhere in the middle. 2019 Update! I really like both a lot but for now my hatfield Buck Creek custom is my main banjo. Strings: Comes with Deering Light Gauge Strings tuned to in standard G tuning (g,D,G,B,D) When paired with our -06- bell bronze tone ring, the Deluxe comes alive and gives you a banjo that will stand out from the pack. Both are normally made of 2 or 3-ply maple (walnut, mahogany, and cherry rims are also available on special order). All songs are taught by ear with no tablature or written music. Not having it too tight in the first place appears to be the main way to solve this. In practical terms, what it boils down to is if you own a maple, sometimes you do things to make it sound mellower. CreekRunner - Posted - 03/15/2014:  20:22:53. I  have my heart set on a Huber, but I am trying to learn as much as possible before I spend. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to. Now featuring a walnut neck, the Deering Deluxe truly stands out as a banjo with it's own tone. The links below provide past discussions about this very subject. All Forums Hide these Google ads: join the Players Union! You might choose wood in the end based on what appearance you like best.I did a serious A/B comparison on a 1990s Gibson JD Crowe RB 75 and Granada several years ago, set up as close as I could reasonably get them. Walnut is an in between, offers good cracking tone as well as can be sweet and mellow Mahogany is generally considered to be the most mellow, Realizing these banjos had different tone rings, so that may account for more of the note decay than the wood in the neck!Don't make neck wood your first specification for a banjo in hopes of achieving a certain sound. It is not as traditionally popular as maple or mahogany, but it is very popular with some players. It’s used increasingly in modern guitars, though. If you’re looking for a banjo that sounds woody, but also great amplified even at high volumes the … The difference was SLIGHT, and took a lot of concentration in a very quiet room to notice it, and longer to find words to express the difference. stelldeergibber - Posted - 06/16/2020:  10:31:22. Beyond that, I've never heard of any particular wood creating problems down the road, beyond woods known for not having good tonal capabilities or stability in the first place. Nick Danger - Posted - 03/15/2014:  15:42:13. The pistachio rim really balances the sound out nicely. Not sure which Bishline is right for you, we can help you get started. The walnut neck gives the banjo a perfect balance of brightness and warmth.  Other Banjo-Related Topics If possible, you should visit a store and try to play them for yourself. Made in USA $ 3,375.00 – $ 4,724.00. Any non-tonal advantage/disadvantage of different woods?  Other Banjo-Related Topics Other factors come into play though including how the log was cut (where it's original placement was in the log in relation to growth rings etc), drying, how it was finished and so on. All I can tell you is that when I was shopping for a new banjo I was so sure that I wanted a mahogany - that warm sound ya know? However, maple offers better sustainability. The maple will bend and pop back to shape. Please choose length from the drop-down menu. Walnut. I think that if one particular wood was all that advantageous (besides tonally, which is mostly a matter of preference) all builders would be using it. jswkingsfield - Posted - 03/15/2014:  17:48:55. Nice mahogany behaves nicely. Turn my observations around, and I would say there was a tiny difference in note decay between those banjos. The fingerboard is done in top quality ebony. Nice mahogany behaves nicely. Crisp highs and good bass response with less overtones than many banjos. You'll find lots of comparisons for different woods, makers, luthiers etc. Maple ( a nice bright light coloured wood) makes a nice bright sound Mahogany (a dark wood) makes a deep mellow sound Walnut ( a warm brown wood) makes a warm round sound somewhere in between maple and mahogany.....This all sounds a bit too trite to me! We just received a beautiful new Sullivan Vintage 35 Walnut. Walnut is brittle and prone to cracking. The best possible way to learn to play the banjo! Thanks again Aaron. DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.  ARCHIVED TOPIC: Maple, Mahogany or Walnut banjo? Maple, Hickory and Ash are bright and Yellow in toneCherry is OrangeBlack Walnut is IndigoBamboo sings its own song in GreenAnd the Bass resident copper Mahogany, banjogirlygirl - Posted - 03/16/2014:  16:35:57, banjogirlygirl - Posted - 03/16/2014:  16:39:46, Nick Danger - Posted - 03/16/2014:  21:44:02, I know, I ran out of darn words.Maple, Hickory and Ash are bright and Yellow in toneCherry is OrangeBlack Walnut is IndigoBamboo sings its own song in GreenAnd the Bass resident copper Mahogany, BlueRanchRider - Posted - 03/17/2014:  05:43:25. What are your opinions on the difference in the banjo's wood? The best possible way to learn to play the banjo! The Bishline Cimmaron features a walnut resonator and a bell-bronze tone ring, perfect for Bluegrass style playing. NEW Beginning Banjo Series It is denser than either mahogany or walnut and some players feel this gives their banjo a bit more “bite.” coherent - Posted - 06/16/2020:  10:00:52. The new Meteor acoustic/electric banjo is just what you would expect from us. I believe if the selection was a good one subsequent movement will be minimal in any of the woods you mention. The Rustic Wreath is a stunning and affordable walnut stained maple banjo that honors the heritage of the instrument, while taking on a sleek, minimalist feel. Wood species are categorized by what is known as tangential expansion factor ratings. What's the difference? the-fish - Posted - 03/18/2014:  13:44:55. for me walnut has always been something that I did NOT like. Thanks for the input. 1/8″ x 3/8″ carbon fiber reinforcement assures stiffness and stability. It's noticeable. Our walnut model adds a burl walnut resonator, cocobolo fingerboard bound in curly maple, and a 5th string fret roller to complete a banjo that looks as good as it sounds. Neck is 3 piece laminate of black walnut with Black Locust midrib. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. Well Mr Danger, here's the problem, are you out of words, men get only 2000 words per day. The Banjo ukulele has a Remo Weatherking head with a loud and resounding projection. Helix said, "Mahogany is more COPPER colored in tone, warm, bass resident." Instead, we find tem using walnut, mahogany, cherry, maple, etc. Rosewood Fretboards. Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more. Can easily be tuned in other tunings as well. Good luck. The Sierra is a serious banjo. It's mahogany and while there are similarities in both of the banjos tone wise I'm favoring the mahogany tone. Stelling Red Fox 5-String Old Wood Rim Maple Banjo With Case Sold Out $4,199.99.