The banjo bug bit me again. In the late 1980s, the banjo bug bit me and I bought a banjo to try out on my own. I could not get my fingers to work right and gave up after two or three months, although I did play some melody notes with my thumb. After seeing @FIrebelly post about starting the beginner mandolin lessons, other banjo videos on here, and Ben’s lesson on “gettin’ it back on banjo” lesson, I decided I am going to give the banjo another try and start with the beginner banjo lesson series. I have been playing mandolin and will require splitting my time; I am retired though, and am in no hurry. The banjo I bought sometime between 1986 and 1989 has been sitting in the case for around 36 years give or take. The other day, I got it out. It is a “Sigma SB-25 Masterpiece”, and this one was made in Korea and shipped to C.F. Martin in PA. for preparation and inspection. Based on research, it “mimics the classic Gibson Mastertone blueprint”. It has a US made Remo Weather King clear head and based on internet research “was made to be an intermediate banjo”. I tuned it up, and played a couple of melodies with my thumb, and strummed it a little, and it sounds pretty good. So, I thought it is worth giving the banjo another try. Then, I ordered, from BanjoBen store, a pack of new strings, a new Snuffy Smith bridge, a couple of thumb picks, and new finger picks. and the order arrived today. I am looking forward to getting started with the lessons. I welcome any initial advice anyone has to offer. I know Banjo Ben’s lessons are very good and I am confident that I will have some success this time around.
Banjo bug bit me
The Sigma SB-25 Masterpiece is a fine banjo to learn on, especially if you’re not sure you’re going to stick with it. I’d imagine after 36 years you’ll probably want to tighten the head a little. It’s amazing how different the tone will be when the head is properly tensioned.
Good luck on your journey. Get lots of video!
This is great to read, @davidr1959! I’m so excited for you!
Get on the beginner banjo track here: https://banjobenclark.com/university/beginner-banjo
You don’t have to watch every lesson, but you’ll see the ones you know you should spend time on. Fun stuff!
Congratulations on getting the bug again. Have fun and enjoy!
Mark, you were correct about tightening the banjo head. I tightened it down some, and the banjo sounds a lot better, there were also a couple of loose brackets. I also raised the tailpiece a little that also helped as it was too low. Ben’s lessons with Steve Huber about setup really taught me the settings and how to adjust. I also put on the Snuffy Smith bridge, and new strings, which also improved the sound and tone. The banjo has a Kershner-style copy tailpiece, which made it more tedious to change the strings. Next time I change strings, I probably will change the tailpiece, probably a Presto, assuming a Presto will easily fit the Sigma.
Quick update. I started beginner banjo series, and am through the basic banjo chords. All great lessons. I love Ben’s teaching method and style. All those basic lessons about the banjo, setup lessons with Steve Huber, lessons regarding picks, how to hold the banjo, etc. to get started right are wonderful. Good news, In the introduction to tab lessons, my fingers are working correctly with the finger picks so far, given it is at a slow speed. Before moving on to the forward roll study lessons, I am going to practice the tabs from the introduction to tab lessons and practice the chords from the basic banjo chord lessons.
Oh man, I thought something was wrong with the Banjo Ben website, because I thought I was reading one of my early posts from 2019.
I have a very similar Asian banjo from the early 80’s, struggled with the Earl Scruggs book for a while, kept the banjo in the case in the closet for decades, finally decided to do something with it after I retired, so I bought the same items to make it sound better.And I followed the Banjo Ben learning track.
What a wonderful journey! It’s frustrating, fun, enlightening, very social, yet introverted and highly addictive.
IMHO, everyone here has given you excellent advice. The Forum is a great resource, sometimes better that the lesson itself, for helping get you over one of those annoying obstacles. Don’t be shy about using it.
Be gentle on yourself. No one can make that chord shape! It’s impossible. You’ll never do it. Your hand is different from everyone else. It just won’t work…until one day it does, and you’ll wonder who’s playing the banjo, because it can’t possibly be you!
Finally, have fun. Take time during every practice session to have fun. Unless you want to learn banjo to meet girls & make a lot of money. That’s outside my area of expertise. 
Working through the lessons is a blast. On the banjo side, I’m currently kind of stuck on “It is Well With My Soul” in the intermediate lessons. I do regularly go back and rewatch (listen) to earlier videos to make sure I’m playing certain songs correctly.
I was flying through the beginner mandolin lessons until I got to “Red Apple”. Gonna need to work on this one. I’ll admit that I occasionally skip around when something catches my attention. Like the Kristin Benson soloing over chords banjo lesson. Great stuff! I’m like a kid in a candy store! Isn’t retirement great!
Yes @FIrebelly, retirement is great. I don’t miss the daily grind. I imagine for those of us that stay engaged and stay curious and interested, retirement is really good and freeing. I have heard, though, and knew a couple of people, that didn’t last long once retired, and it seemed to me, they didn’t have a sense of value outside of their job. I am glad your mandolin journey is going well. Like you, I am enjoying the lessons.