ed 5string banjo

[rbp]

Cheers just new here...
I am so glad I stumbled on this site...I have a ed 5 string banjo I purchased in my 20`s cira 1970s because I had attended some great shows at the
now defunct blue grass festival in Carlise Ont. CA.It was my great privalge to see such legends as Bill Monroe,Earl Sgrugs,Doc Watson,John Hartford,
and many more.All up close and personal these guys played in the many workshops held each day at the many workshops or on peices of plywood jam
sessions.I was a strictly rock and roller in those days,but quickly fell for the blue grass sound ,because of its pure and harmonic sounds,and particulary
the 5 string.I dont know exactly when the shows started but the first couple of years I was there there where maybe a 1000 people at best.Me and a couple
of buddies pitched our tent near the main stage at the time.Being young and full of piss and vinegar and other substances we where just looking to party
and check out the chicks.But we soon turned our attention to the art form of these great music makers we had never heard about or listened to.

In the years that followed Carlise became huge and thousands young and old flocked to the site,the headliners got more famous,but the up close
and personal feeling was gone.It became a target for biker gangs,drug dealers and booze hound idiots.It pretty much ruined what was and had been
a great venue and I stopped going until around the time I was in my early 30s and a friend gave me a free day pass ticket and I got to see John
Hartford one last time.But it was tainted by drunken idiots and loud mouths.

In the years that followed I tried my dam best to wrap my fingers around the ed,but try as I did I just could not seem to get it.I have loved music
all my life and admire anyone who can just sit down and pic and grin.After a couple of marriages and some rocky years I still hung onto the ed 5 string
to the last and it has been stashed away for years and years.I had given it to a musician friend to keep safe for me.he just passed away this spring
and his mother called and said he had told her to make sure I got my banjo back.I know he had played it alot as he was in a few bands over the years,and
he liked it alot and took very good care of it.He always tried to buy it from me,but I would not sell it,I guess it is just one of those things you never want to part
with like your youth.Anway I have finaly decided to sell it or perhaps trade it for a guitar,I got nothin but time right now and maybe I can finaly learn to play
after all these years.I know the banjo is out of the question,but maybe thegit box.
I have read many posts here taliking about the virtues of ed guitar.So anyone here interested in a swap for a ed guitar or if anybody can tell me its worth it is in very good shape,and has a good hard case,I bought with it new.My old buddy had just reworked and tuned it looks like new except for the little wear on the drum.CHEERS RON

[charles]

Thank you very much for sharing your story.

I'm not a banjo guy by any means, and the price discrepancy between all the ones I've seen in large enough that it's very very hard for me to try to pin a value on it. Unfortunately all I can offer is my best wishes.

[Barry]

Hello rbp, and welcome. Thanks for your story. I haven't heard the name John Hartman in a good many years; brings back a few memories. That whole folk era was a time of great honesty and purity in music and spawned a lot of talented performers, many of whom are still around today. Bloody shame how the a-holes always screw up the good things in life.

The only time I ever played banjo was at a party in my wild youth. I was well into the hallucinogenic beverage of my choice and the only instrument in site was some gal's banjo who had pretty much given up on it. Fortunately (or not) she had a chord book with it so I was able to quickly learn a few chords and do a sing song thing. Sounded OK at the time...I guess.

But don't despair. Have a look around and you'll find a nice MIJ El Degas acoustic. They're out there! I've had mine 35 years now and it's still great!

[rbp]

No offense but its John Hartford and your 100 percent right about the times and music ...I have so many good memories met my 1st wife at Carlise and we
got hitched there the following year....what a party...she is gone now....I miss here so much....but we had quite a ride together...she was a nature girl..
and had a voice like an angel...my values have never changed...funny as hell ....PANAMA RED is on the radio...xm is kick ass...i get it free somehow on
my puter....wish i could figure out how to channel it on my bose speakers..saturday night and i am feelin alright...peace be with you and cheers..ron

[Barry]

No offense but its John Hartford ...

Yes, sorry, typo. Busy night here and I was in a rush...brain not engaged with fingers!