Thread: Banjos

Originally Posted by Hirlau

,, I promised myself when I read the opening post that I would not go there,,,, that for once I would control my juvenile tendencies, be respectful of your Granddad's banjos & not post something crazy,,,,,

John don't get me started, that movie is my favorite comedy!

I reckon that's a mighty fine idea you got there & cain't never could! Here's to gettin' 'em all fixed up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXyvCJlPgME

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I'm singing duelling banjos in my head as we speak.... (danga dang dang dang dang dang dang dang....)
James.

James,

Looking forward to some pics!

I've always wished I could play the banjo. Love the rhythm and flow.

Dueling banjos is, alas, a 5 string which is my "wish-want" affair!! Ain't never gonna happen...for me!! I'll stick to my guitar.



Here's why!! There's coordination, and then....there's "well" COORDINATION!!! Very envious!!

Hope you master your choice of banjo!!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FDI90eA4_gU

And then: YaHoo!!!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1tqxzWdKKu8

Best Regards,

Howard

I would recommend learning the "banjolin" first. It's tuned the same as a violin so you have a few options after you learn the fret board(mandolin, fiddle or mandolin). I play mandolin and I was able to pick up my friends kids violin and play anything I knew on mando. It didn't sound great, but I knew where the notes were. I also know a few tunes on the five string banjo, but I don't know much about the four string. If you play guitar you should pick it up fairly quick. have fun and POST SOME PICS!

Originally Posted by BeJay

I would recommend learning the "banjolin" first. It's tuned the same as a violin so you have a few options after you learn the fret board(mandolin, fiddle or mandolin). I play mandolin and I was able to pick up my friends kids violin and play anything I knew on mando. It didn't sound great, but I knew where the notes were. I also know a few tunes on the five string banjo, but I don't know much about the four string. If you play guitar you should pick it up fairly quick. have fun and POST SOME PICS!

The OP's other banjo is a four string and sounds to be a tenor banjo, the type I play.

Now they are also tuned the same way as a mandolin, fiddle etc, or at least the same intervals. I play the short neck Irish style (not very well) which I picked up because they use a drop tuning of GDAE, same as the mandolin and fiddle but an octave lower so I didn't have to do too much thinking as I played mandolin already! They are played with a plectrum rather than the finger style of the 5 string.

Here's a short video of an Irish banjo in action. I'd be happy to be a fraction as good as this guy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKm5dZRJIlk

Gareth

OK, here are some before pics just taken before I head out with them to the luthier. Apologies, they were taken on my phone so they aren't the greatest, but I am sure you get the idea. I was wrong about the "Taylor" in the name, just Windsor.

Having read Gareth's post, I'm wondering if the 4-string is the short-neck style? Anyway, here they are. I have various bridges for both in their cases.




James.

You know that Western guy in Japan who used to post here and was a vendor......when he tired of the whole razor thing he started to get into banjos! He still has the Eastern Smooth blog up with a ton of info on Japanese rock. He might be a resource. Since you are one of the old timers you must know who I mean....probably exchanged posts with him......good luck. Quick Banjo story...in 1970 I was in what was then Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia and walking down the town square I heard a banjo being played by a street musician....I found him at the end of the square and talked to him....he was Swedish. So this instrument that must have originated in Africa warped space and time.....It's a cool sound with a fascinating history. Just remembered the guys name: Jim Rion? I think......

yeah I think you remembered right: JimR here on the forums

Oh yeah, I know Jim. Never knew he got into banjos. Thanks.

I took the banjos to the luthier this morning. He thought they were in pretty good shape and shouldn't take a lot of work to get them into playing condition. The hardest part would be trying to get parts for something that old, particularly given the makers are no longer around. Anyway, all sounds promising and not as expensive as I'd feared so that's good.

James.

Originally Posted by Galopede

The OP's other banjo is a four string and sounds to be a tenor banjo, the type I play.

Now they are also tuned the same way as a mandolin, fiddle etc, or at least the same intervals. I play the short neck Irish style (not very well) which I picked up because they use a drop tuning of GDAE, same as the mandolin and fiddle but an octave lower so I didn't have to do too much thinking as I played mandolin already! They are played with a plectrum rather than the finger style of the 5 string.

Gareth

Noooo! Please don't put those ideas in my head. I have too many instruments already.