SteveZ
Well-known member
For those folk with multiple instruments, do you find yourself reaching more often to one or two of them while the rest get minimal time? It seems to be happening to me more often than I realized until my spouse asked me why I play a couple a lot more than the others. Had to think about it a while as to why. Anyway, here are my top-two time players and why.
1. Lanikai 6-string tenor - I just like the sound. Got it from another UUer. Have it tuned C4-G3-G4-D4-A4-A3 and it's bright and responsive. Also installed a preamp/pickup/tuner (fully chromatic) on it. Had a C3 string on it for a while, but it was too deep compared to the C4 normally on a tenor. I set it up to my feel and it is so smooth to the touch.
2. SideKick BanjoUke tenor - It's just the most convenient of all the banjo-type instruments I have or had. At only 24 ounces it's handy and easy to take anywhere. I still love my Deerings, but even though they sound spectacular, they are a lot heavier and are not spur-of-the-moment centric for me. With the SideKick tuned CGDA (just like the tenor banjo) it fits in well for all banjo numbers and easy to pick and-play when the mood hits. It also received a personal set-up.
The others in the stable are still used, but have become specialty-purpose instruments rather than "buddies" with which to kill spare time and relax when the moment occurs, or when I hear a tune and then want to immediately try to pick it out.
There have been a lot of instruments over time which have been stable-mates, some being in the higher-priced "better quality" category according to some critics. The irony is that neither the Lanikai nor the SideKick can be considered as budget-busters by any stretch of the imagination. Just goes to show that instrument cost doesn't factor high in which gets first nod.
1. Lanikai 6-string tenor - I just like the sound. Got it from another UUer. Have it tuned C4-G3-G4-D4-A4-A3 and it's bright and responsive. Also installed a preamp/pickup/tuner (fully chromatic) on it. Had a C3 string on it for a while, but it was too deep compared to the C4 normally on a tenor. I set it up to my feel and it is so smooth to the touch.
2. SideKick BanjoUke tenor - It's just the most convenient of all the banjo-type instruments I have or had. At only 24 ounces it's handy and easy to take anywhere. I still love my Deerings, but even though they sound spectacular, they are a lot heavier and are not spur-of-the-moment centric for me. With the SideKick tuned CGDA (just like the tenor banjo) it fits in well for all banjo numbers and easy to pick and-play when the mood hits. It also received a personal set-up.
The others in the stable are still used, but have become specialty-purpose instruments rather than "buddies" with which to kill spare time and relax when the moment occurs, or when I hear a tune and then want to immediately try to pick it out.
There have been a lot of instruments over time which have been stable-mates, some being in the higher-priced "better quality" category according to some critics. The irony is that neither the Lanikai nor the SideKick can be considered as budget-busters by any stretch of the imagination. Just goes to show that instrument cost doesn't factor high in which gets first nod.