Here is an “outfit” from Gold Tone specifically for the player desiring to master the clawhamer or frailing style of Old-Time banjo playing, which is enjoying a resurgence in popularity of unheard of proportions…seems like every high school, undergrad and grad student in my neighborhood is learning clawhammer (but then again, I live in the cool artsy part of Atlanta, which we like to call the San Francisco of the South)…you should here it on Saturday nights.

To get a feeling for how clawhammer style fits into a world-class band, check out this video of the Red Hots to see how the 5-string open back played clawhammer style fits into the new high-energy Old-Time revival…this ain’t no jazzed-up Bluegrass (Note: The Red Hots call themselves a “regressive" band...and they drink coffee when they play…at least whatever it is in coffee” cups :-) The Red Hots are regarded by many, including myself, as the most “wicked great” of all the New Wave of Old-Time/Roots bands. Funny how old music becomes the new new thing, and clawhammer banjo is an essential part of it.

Even though the brilliant clawhammer banjo was very much present in the Red Hots video (that band is so tight, that the banjo and fiddle kind of comprise a single instrument), so here is another video with one of the finest clawhammer banjo players, Kathy Fink, taking the lead...you will definitely notice her 5-string playing over the fine Cello Banjo playing of Marcy Marxer in this one!

Back to the Banjo...

In addition to being a pretty nice banjo, you get a Bob Carlin Instructional DVD, Capo spike, gig bag, strap, frailing scoop. In their advertizing literature, Gold Tone points out that Old-Time is the new Punk! This is an interesting observation that accords with my many hours of doing business with, interviewing and video recording Old-Time musicians. You can check out the tattoos, nose rings, etc. of some of the musicians in our YouTube favorites. (www.YouTube.com/user/DoctorFiddle), but I digress...This is a great open-back banjo package and the price sure is right.

Additional Features:

Features

Maple neck
Maple/ebony compensated bridge
Rosewood fingerboard
Antique brown satin finish
Star headstock inlay
Star/Dot fingerboard inlays
Celluloid neck binding
Guitar or Planetary tuners (yes, the planetary pegs cost extra)
Vega-Style arm rest
All of the other stuff mentioned at the beginning, like gig bag, DVD, 7th fret spike and strap
Available in a left-handed version

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