I’ve hauled these instruments to jams, porches, and a few county fairs. I’ve cut my thumb, lost picks in the grass, and yes, played “Nine Pound Hammer” more times than I can count. Here’s what I’ve used and how they treat me—good and bad. If you want the full story of how I settled on this bluegrass tool kit, I spun it out in detail over on I Picked, Plucked, and Thumped.
Quick note before we get rolling: bluegrass gear can be fussy. Small stuff matters. Strings, picks, setup… tiny changes make big noise. But that’s the fun part, right?
If you need a one-stop shop for strings, picks, or even a fresh mando, check out Coast2CoastMusic — their bluegrass aisle runs deep.
My Banjo Story: Deering Goodtime 2 and Recording King RK-36
I started on a Deering Goodtime 2. I still use it when I’m teaching kids at the library jam. It’s light. It’s bright. It keeps me honest.
Then I moved to a Recording King RK-36 for gigs. It’s got punch. The kind that cuts through two guitars and a chatty crowd.
- What I love:
- Goodtime 2: no fuss, stays in tune, sweet with a simple setup. I added spikes at 7, 9, and 10 for quick key changes. Easy.
- RK-36: warm growl, strong 4th string, real stage volume. The notes pop in a solo.
- What bugs me:
- Goodtime 2: can sound thin in a big circle; armrest bites my forearm after an hour.
- RK-36: heavy as a bowling ball; sharp fret ends in dry winter till I filed them.
I use GHS PF140 strings. A Snark clip-on tuner keeps me sane. For picks, I like a BlueChip JD Crowe thumb pick and .025 Dunlop fingerpicks. They don’t slip much, unless your hands get sweaty under a July tent. Been there.
Mandolin That Barks: Kentucky KM-150 and Eastman MD315
My first mando was a Kentucky KM-150. I played it for two years. That little box taught me how to “chop.” Later I borrowed an Eastman MD315 for a month of shows. It had more bite and a nicer neck.
- What I love:
- KM-150: great starter, strong mid voice, easy to set up. With D’Addario EJ74 strings it sounds alive.
- MD315: loud chop, clear A and E strings, comfy V neck. It “barks” on rhythm, like it should.
- What bugs me:
- KM-150: E string can get sharp and thin if you pick too hard.
- MD315: needed the bridge fit by a tech; out of the box it felt stiff.
I use a BlueChip TAD-40 or a Dunlop Primetone 1.5. The BlueChip sticks to my fingers like it knows me.
The Flat-Top Backbone: Martin D-18 and Blueridge BR-160
I play a Martin D-18 I bought used. Mahogany back. Dry, woody thump. It’s the boom-chuck king. I also spent a summer gigging a friend’s Blueridge BR-160. That one surprised me. Big rosewood low end, almost too pretty, but it held the pocket fine.
- What I love:
- D-18: clean mids, fast neck, the G-run feels like butter.
- BR-160: round lows, nice sparkle up high, strong for the money.
- What bugs me:
- D-18: if your right hand gets lazy, it can sound plain. It wants you to work.
- BR-160: can get boomy with a mic; I roll back bass at the board.
Strings? I use D’Addario EJ17 (mediums). Capo? Shubb or Paige. I tried a Kyser; it squeezed too hard and pulled me sharp. Not fun in a circle.
Fiddle Fights Back: Eastman VL305 and Yamaha V3
I rented an Eastman VL305 for a year. Warm voice. Very kind to my ear. I also keep a cheap Yamaha V3 with steel strings for outdoor jams. It’s tough. It doesn’t mind the heat.
- What I love:
- VL305: smooth on old-time tunes, sings on “Ashokan Farewell.”
- V3: stable, takes bumps, great for kids to borrow at church jam night.
- What bugs me:
- VL305: hates dry rooms; I keep a case humidifier.
- V3: steel strings can sound harsh; I swapped to Prim mediums and it helped.
Little tip: get fine tuners on all strings. Your friends will thank you. And a decent bow. My first cheap bow squeaked like a screen door. I’ve also dabbled in African percussion when the jam needs a different color—my keep-or-toss verdicts are over here.
Dobro Goodness: Gold Tone PBS Squareneck
I used a Gold Tone PBS for six months while learning bar control. It has sweet sustain. It makes slow songs feel like honey.
- What I love:
- Clear high notes, warm slide on the low strings, nice with a mic.
- What bugs me:
- It’s heavy on the lap. A strap helps. Also, right-hand accuracy is a must; if you’re sloppy, it tells on you.
Gear bits: Shubb SP2 bar, Dunlop .025 fingerpicks, and a BlueChip dobro thumb pick. The combo feels locked in. Well, most days.
Big Dog Bass: Engelhardt EM-1
Our bass player moved. So I hauled an Engelhardt EM-1 for a month of farmers market sets. It was a workout. But wow—when that root lands, the tent listens. Hauling it down the street reminded me of my old high-school days shouldering a sousaphone—my candid notes on that back-breaking chapter live in this marching-band rundown.
- What I love:
- Punchy, simple, and steady. It glues the band.
- What bugs me:
- It’s a bear to move. I used a wheel and still needed breaks. I got blisters the first week.
I played steel strings and kept the action mid-high for old-school thump. I sat on a short stool, which saved my back.
After carting that beast up two flights, my shoulders felt like banjo heads stretched too tight. If you ever roll through Fort Lee after a gig and need a deep-tissue fix fast, check out the Fort Lee Rubmaps guide—it lines up local parlors with reviews and details so you can unknot those muscles and be stage-ready by the next set.
Little Things That Make Big Sound
- Tuner: Snark is quick; Peterson StroboClip is more exact when you’re setting intonation.
- Capos: Shubb for guitar, Paige for banjo.
- Straps: Lakota Leathers—soft and strong. My shoulder says thanks.
- Cases: My mando lives in a Hiscox when we travel far. Worth it.
Real Jam Test: Porch, Market, Festival
At our Saturday farmers market, the RK-36 banjo cut the mix best. The Eastman MD315 punched the chop. The D-18 sat great under vocals but needed a strong right hand to stay clear. The Gold Tone dobro got smiles on “Tennessee Waltz.” Bass held the groove like a tractor. No rush, no drag.
At a church basement jam, the KM-150 did fine. It wasn’t loud, but with a thick pick and fresh strings, it kept up. And on a breezy summer night, I learned this: clothespins keep your chart from flying away. Low tech, high value.
If the festival evening winds down and the campfire glow has you looking for company that’s a little more personal than a late-night jam, you can take the social side of picking a step further by visiting Instafuck — the site lets music-loving adults connect for quick, no-strings-attached fun nearby, so you spend less time searching and more time enjoying the after-hours vibe.
If You’re Just Starting
- Banjo: Deering Goodtime 2—light, solid, and easy to set up.
- Mandolin: Kentucky KM-150—learn the chop and go.
- Guitar: Blueridge BR-140 or BR-160—strong voice for the price.
- Fiddle: Yamaha V3 to start; upgrade the strings later.
- Dobro: Gold Tone PBS if that slide sound calls your name.
- Bass: If you can haul it, an Engelhardt EM-1 will carry the band.