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View Full Version : Banjola: banjo, guitar, and bouzouki all-in-one!


Jim Tozier
05-21-2008, 09:09 AM
In a recent conversation with Al Petteway, he mentioned that he'd become infatuated with an instrument called a banjola, made by Edward Victor Dick (http://www.banjolas.com/). While technically, it's a hybrid between a banjo and a mandola, it can sound very much like a guitar, a banjo, or a bouzouki/mandola.

Here's a page where you can hear what it sounds like (http://www.banjolas.com/hearit.html). I'd recommend scrolling down and listening to the first sample from Al Petteway, called "Banjola." The first part of the song sounds pretty much like Al's playing a guitar... but then in the second part, it's banjo city, baby! :)

It sounds like a really cool instrument. If I didn't already have enough trouble finding the time to get good at guitar, I'd consider picking one of these up. Sure sounds like fun!

billgennaro
05-21-2008, 09:32 AM
kinda looks like my octave mandolin, but has single strings instead of pairs, and it has that extra banjo string. so now we have banjos, mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, bouzoukis, tenor guitars and banjolas (did i leave anything out?). keep the hybrids coming!

rattletrap
05-21-2008, 09:42 AM
For whatever reason the sound is not working for me. Please dont show this to my son. He will want one.

rcemech
05-21-2008, 09:57 AM
I'm having the same problem, but they look cool!

Jim Tozier
05-21-2008, 10:12 AM
For whatever reason the sound is not working for me.

Have you tried clicking on the PLAY arrow twice? The first click seems to select that arrow as the active one, but the song won't start until you click it a second time. At least, that's how it's working for me.

rattletrap
05-21-2008, 10:16 AM
It just seems to turn on and off.

grayn
05-21-2008, 10:54 AM
Try right-clicking on the play arrow and select download.

Nice looking instrument but I can't see any advantages it has over a guitar or a good octave mandolin. :)

Fliss
05-21-2008, 11:11 AM
Cute - I like the headstock shape!

Fliss

rcemech
05-21-2008, 11:20 AM
Sounds a bit like a nice parlor guitar. Very cool!!!

jgwoods
05-21-2008, 12:00 PM
I never heard one that had any volume- the resonator version- Dobjo was reasonably loud http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/70U-2974.htm