Hi all, I moved to Thailand in April 2016 and since then have been trying to find a lefty (left handed) 5 string banjo alas to no avail. I live in the Nonthaburi Province and have seen a few banjos in the local stores including Deerings, but no lefty's. I've even been to San am luang recently which i saw suggested on here, and yes there were at least ten musical instrument stores there, one of which stocked a fairly good quality resonator 5 string! But guess what? Not a lefty. The store owner wouldn't even try to order one from his supplier as he insisted they didn't make them!! If anyone could please help I would be so grateful, I don't mind having to travel a bit. It needs to be of reasonable quality, open back, resonator, anything really. Can anyone help, please?! You can't restring/convert to the opposite hand as the fifth string tuner is halfway up the neck on one side.

Can't you just turn a right handed one upside down?

Unfortunately not as the fifth string ends halfway up the neck on one side. If it were that simple I'd have done it months ago

Okay, can't you just import one or pick one up on your next trip abroad?

Here's an old memo to myself from some years ago.  Maybe someone will be able to tell you if they still exist and still do western instruments as well as Thai.

 

Musical instruments, you cannot go wrong with Suksan Panit, just by the McDonalds at Democracy Monument (towards Khao San Road) on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue. Do not be put off by the appearance of this school supply store. The ground floor is full of books and other educational supplies but upstairs is full of Thai instruments at very affordable prices. Open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm on Saturdays. Closed Sunday _
 

I could import one but the import cost is at least as much as the cost of the instrument, more in some cases. I do have one back home in the uk but it will be some time before I can get back there to bring it back. 

Thanks for the info jpinx, I'll check it out.

Just now, PTPaul said:

I could import one but the import cost is at least as much as the cost of the instrument, more in some cases. I do have one back home in the uk but it will be some time before I can get back there to bring it back. 

 

Well, if worst comes to worst then I'll be back in LOS end of May 2017 and happy to bring it over for you.

'LOS'? What is that?

3 minutes ago, PTPaul said:

'LOS'? What is that?

 

Lost soul.  Only joking.

 

Land of Smiles, i.e. Thailand.

 

 

Oh yeah, of course! Where are you now then?

1 minute ago, PTPaul said:

Oh yeah, of course! Where are you now then?

 

Phitsanulok, though go home end of next week unfortunately.

 

My wife and I will return May 2017 and, conveniently, stay at Novotel Impact, Nonthaburi, for the night once we land at Swampy. 

29 minutes ago, jpinx said:

Here's an old memo to myself from some years ago.  Maybe someone will be able to tell you if they still exist and still do western instruments as well as Thai.

 

Musical instruments, you cannot go wrong with Suksan Panit, just by the McDonalds at Democracy Monument (towards Khao San Road) on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue. Do not be put off by the appearance of this school supply store. The ground floor is full of books and other educational supplies but upstairs is full of Thai instruments at very affordable prices. Open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm on Saturdays. Closed Sunday _
They hardly have any musical instruments there these days and certainly not a left handed banjo.I'm a left handed guitarist so you entirely have my sympathies. Have you tried Central  Pin Klao ? They have guitar shops. One is crap but the second on perhaps the 4th floor quite near the escalator is rather good. They definitely have banjos but i'm not sure about left handed ones, worth checking out.

 

10 minutes ago, bubblewrap said:

 

Phitsanulok, though go home end of next week unfortunately.

 

My wife and I will return May 2017 and, conveniently, stay at Novotel Impact, Nonthaburi, for the night once we land at Swampy. 

That's about 20 minutes from where I live! So whereabouts is home for you?

Medway, Kent.

8 minutes ago, bannork said:

 

Thanks for the update bannork, I'll have a look. Is it per chance 'Music Collection' ? Cos they have one at central chaengwattana with Deering banjos but not lefty's 

Well I really appreciate your offer but my banjo is currently residing at my parents' house near Oxford

Well, I work in the City of London.  The offer is there.

I'll definitely keep it in mind, thanks

No problems.