Tangier Sound

When Logan stopped by for a visit yesterday he wound up being the first person outside of Dear Old Dad and myself to play all four models of Somerset banjos.

Logan posted his thoughts about the four instrument in the comments, but I thought it deserved its own post.

-Patrick

Ok, so for my review of the banjo’s, we’ll just go right down the list.  This is my own personal opinion, and does not reflect the opinions of Pik-Ware or any of it’s affiliates:

S1 — The best way I can describe this is that it’s Patrick’s banjo.  This banjo is designed by Patrick, for Patrick.  It has what he wants, and how he wants it.  I wouldn’t say this is the banjo for me.  It’s heavy, and with no dot inlays, I got a little confused playing past about the 7th fret.  That being said, it’s sounds and feels great.  It’s loud and sweet at the same time.  Having the opportunity to hangout with Lowell brought more insight to this banjo, as each one is painstakingly put together piece by piece.  Hearing how each S1 he’s made has had a different challenge to assemble, really opened my eyes to the craftsmanship that went into it all.  Patrick then goes over the whole banjo with a fine toothed comb, and won’t send one out until it’s met his standards.  Being their best selling banjo, there’s a long wait, but let me put anyone’s fears to rest, the wait is worth it.  Once I started actually jamming with it, the weight and the inlay issues I had went away. I was just playing an awesome banjo.

S2 — This is the banjo I would choose to play every day. If I personally were to purchase or recommend a Somerset, I would pick this one.  It sounds and feels very similar to the S1, but at the same time is just an over all different experience.  It’s going to be difficult to have to go back and play my regular old banjo after having time with the S2.  It’s solid, this thing has been shipped around the American North East for about 3 months.  When I got it home and opened the case it was amazing.  As far as I can tell, it’s almost, if not just as loud as the S1, even with the different tone ring.  I didn’t notice any difference with the tail pieces, and differences in the type of woods made to use the banjos seemed to only be aesthetic to me.  I can say with absolute certainty that nobody on the S2 tour will be disappointed with this banjo.

S3 – This was my favorite out of the pack.  It is just as loud as it’s companions, and plays just as well.  The difference with this banjo is that I could play it while laying on the couch.  I could play it in a crowded elevator.  I could probably play it while driving by steering with my knees and the cruise control on.  It’s the compact model.  Everything about it has the greatness of the S1 and S2, but just scaled down a bit.  I would absolutely suggest this banjo for small children.  If you travel and play, this is right there too.  Again, don’t let it’s size fool you, it’s got a beast of a voice.  If you have not signed up for the S3 tour, do that right now.  You’re missing out if you don’t.

S4 — This banjo was the different one.  The S4 looks, feels, and sounds very different from it’s brethren.  The sound difference is difficult to describe.  It’s loud, but noticeably not as loud as the other three.  This banjo sound rounder, maybe hollower, softer, dampened, slightly muted.  I’m not saying at all bad, just different.  This banjo also has a scoop neck.  I personally don’t like the scoop neck, but if you do like a scoop neck, well, it’s got one.  Playing over the scoop also produces a different sound and feel to the instrument.  The larger pot, I’m guessing, made a difference in the sound, but I was still able to hold and play it no problem.  This banjo still has the high quality that the Somerset brand upholds. It is just a different type of banjo model for players with different preferences.

So that’s my rundown on the current models of Somerset Banjo’s.  They are all exceptional, high quality instruments. I can only wait to see what the future will hold.