the result

For those of you waiting with baited breath, I chose the fancier and cheaper Morgen Monroe.

maybe I'll paint the case.

sold a roll top desk and a pair of roller skates to buy a banjo.

For several moths i have been taking banjo lessons. Actually for the last couple i haven't, but have been practicing at home.
I have been renting an instrument, the deal was, the rental fees from the first 6 months become a store credit towards purchase of an instrument, after that they just go into the void of rental fees.
I've reached my 6 month mark, and I'm still interested in learning. really learning, how to play.
Its an instrument that i like, and my chance to have a musical ability beyond the simplest one note song i learned on the recorder in 3rd grade.It has become clear that it would be in my best interest to invest in a really good beginner/ intermediate banjo, rather than a cheap one.also i have been renting a nice one. so you know. hard to go back now.
So. i sold my roll top desk, and my roller skates to buy a banjo.
Option 1.
I've been renting the Deering Goodtime II. it's easy to tune and the sound is good. but its plain. and who ever designed the head was an idiot.



But I've been researching painting it. I've heard that painting can change the sound, but by how much i don't know. A number of months ago i fell in love with the Sara Ryan painted Creston guitars.What if i added similar style designs on the back and head? [i do know of people who have taken the whole thing apart to refinish it, but i don't want to do that.]



Option 2.
The Morgan Monroe MNB-1W
I've looked at numerous pics of this banjo and it is very red and apparently there is quite a bit of gold- rather than nickle color on it.
i like the mother of pearl inlay. overall it is much prettier.

Old Crow Medicine Show

song for this week: Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show.

banjos

i have had a fascination with Banjos for a long time, the same way i was fascinated by scooters. i know nothing other than i loved them, and wanted to ride/ play one.
i have the scooter. not having a lot of spending money, i haven't gotten into the much more expensive scooter culture, but i love mine just the same.
i bought a scooter on a lark. okay, i at least paused to take the Motorcycle Safety Course, and I'm glad i did.

My other larks?
play the Banjo
Own Bees
have a comic.

owning bees... we haven't really looked into fully. i know some one who has them, they are now legal in the city of Denver, and we need to take a trip by the bee keeping supply store, that is not too far from us.

Have a comic... well... started, but got distracted and basically lazy. need to get drawing again, and try to stick to a schedule. i hope to go live, sometime, ever.

Playing the banjo... i just got wildly excited [as i do] by an add for a relatively cheep starter kit. did a quick google search, turned up some really good useful information. i wont order this kit this afternoon, but maybe i will stop by one of the places i know does string instrument lessons and talk to some one sometime. my main concerns are that [due to complete lack of practice] i have rather crappy time keeping ability's, i don't hear keys well, and have zero instrument experience after recorders in 6th grade.

i have gotten into a TV slump. really, i get sucked into shows and like them, and want to know whats going on in the story line. i have often found it best to just not start watching things in the Fall. I'm trying to eliminate shows- i might not completely until summer.

i desperately want a fancy phone that does things other than be a phone. because we all know that that is boring.
but there's that little voice in my head informing me that money spent on bees and banjo lessens is money far better spent.

some good info on banjos: get started buy and learn