Watch Dave Hum Play His Chinese-Made Banjo

I was studying Dave Hum's video for “Down The Road,” one of my favorite songs to play on the 5-string banjo. Then I noticed that he is playing his cheaper Chinese-made MB-250 Epiphone banjo. You can easily tell because his 1992 ESS Gibson and 1970's Baldwin ODE banjos both have inlay at the first fret position, but the Epiphone doesn't. Also, later in the video when the headstock is closer to the camera, you can read “Epiphone” on the headstock.

Dave Hum Playing His Chinese-made Epiphone Banjo

I've seen MB-250 Epiphone banjos sell between $450 to $900. A used Gibson ESS will cost you between $4,500 and $5,500. And if it was made during the 'Greg Rich Era' (1987-1994), it'll cost you upwards of $7,000. I don't know about you, but seeing Dave Hum play masterfully on a cheaper Chinese-made Epiphone encourages me. Like most players when I started learning the 5-string banjo, I had the wrong impression that you must spend several thousand dollars if you want to produce a great sound, but this is simply not the case at all, which Dave Hum proves in this video and others.

If you watch Dave play “Arkansas Traveller,” he is playing his Baldwin ODE banjo, which was made in Arkansas in the 1970s. I think it is pretty cool that he chose to use the Baldwin ODE to play 'Arkansas Traveller.'

By the way, I would AVOID purchasing the new Chinese-made Epiphone 'Earl Scruggs Deluxe' signature banjo model for $1,299. Watch the video review!

It has been my humble opinion for many years that most expensive banjos today are highly overpriced. Ultimately, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Dave said that he would regularly tinker with his banjos in pursuit of the ideal tone. I share his quest.

Dave Hum
(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)