The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Other Musical Instruments

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 05-07-2016, 08:42 AM
amyFB amyFB is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lehigh Valley, Eastern PA
Posts: 4,599
Default Nbld!

There is a small local guitar show taking place at jakes' flea market in Barto, Pa today and tomorrow.

Mostly low end entry level acoustic and electrics.

I was unable to pass this by for $100

I was told it is called a Banjolin , not a Mando-banjo and not a Manjo! (Grin)
And that it is popular in string bands as a rhythm instrument like a tenor banjo would
Be used.

Someone had a lot of fun with this.
I have to go learn some chords and see if I too can have fun with it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
amyFb

Huss & Dalton CM
McKnight MacNaught
Breedlove Custom 000
Albert & Mueller S
Martin LXE
Voyage-Air VM04
Eastman AR605CE
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-07-2016, 08:46 AM
blue blue is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: WetSiiiide! WA
Posts: 7,851
Default

No way I could have passed that up either! I don't care what you call it... That thing has seen some action!
__________________
I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-07-2016, 01:18 PM
sweiss's Avatar
sweiss sweiss is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NE Wisconsin
Posts: 2,238
Default

Now that has some serious mojo going for it. I'd gladly part with a hundred dollar bill if I ever come across something like that.

Do you know who made it, and is it decently playable?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-07-2016, 02:58 PM
Mr. Paul's Avatar
Mr. Paul Mr. Paul is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: in the shadow of Humboldt Peak
Posts: 4,004
Default

Fun!

If you nickname your instruments, might I suggest "Splat"
__________________

Goodall, Martin, Wingert
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-07-2016, 03:32 PM
blue blue is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: WetSiiiide! WA
Posts: 7,851
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Paul View Post
Fun!

If you nickname your instruments, might I suggest "Splat"
I'd go with "Joe" or "Cuppa"
__________________
I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-07-2016, 04:40 PM
amyFB amyFB is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lehigh Valley, Eastern PA
Posts: 4,599
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweiss View Post
Now that has some serious mojo going for it. I'd gladly part with a hundred dollar bill if I ever come across something like that.



Do you know who made it, and is it decently playable?

No idea of the maker; it seems to have been "made" more than once.
For sure it could use new strings, but yea it can play and the tuners are not stripped,

I will take it to the shop for a look over next week and get new strings and any advice.

Technique on this instrument is unknown to me; it is very stiff compared to guitar or banjo (but the strings might be the cause of that) . And dang those frets and that neck are narrow for my stubby little fingertips.

I will be with some know-its in a few weeks and expect someone or more of us to have a good time with it!





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
amyFb

Huss & Dalton CM
McKnight MacNaught
Breedlove Custom 000
Albert & Mueller S
Martin LXE
Voyage-Air VM04
Eastman AR605CE
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-07-2016, 04:57 PM
JCook1 JCook1 is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 712
Default

I think you'd play this just as you would play a mandolin. It's basically a variation on a mandolin, and would likely be tuned like one: GDAE (low to high, in fifths). The string pairs would be tuned in unison. Play it with a pick, for melody. I would use it to play Irish tunes (plus Scottish, English, American old time, etc.) but you could play blues on it, use it in a 1920's jazz band. Basically any music you can play on a mandolin you can play on this. It won't have the sustain of a mandolin (which is not as great as the sustain on a guitar) but it'll make a heck of a sound. Nothing but fun here, if it's in good playing shape. It's definitely a find!

Jack
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-07-2016, 05:25 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 43,428
Default

Amy, what a great find. Hopefully you'll be able to learn some chords on it. If not, it'll make a great conversation piece.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-08-2016, 06:27 PM
Mandobart Mandobart is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Washington State
Posts: 5,423
Default

Pretty cool! What is the scale length? If 13" - 15" probably standard mando tuning GDAE. If greater than 16" it should be CGDA like a 'dola (or tenor banjo). Chords for 5ths tuned instruments are incredibly simple and so easy to transpose.

If you're not used to the high tension double course wonder of a mandolin you'll be in awe as that cheese grater destroys those guitar calluses. But you'll have honest to God real mando calluses when you're done.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-09-2016, 05:02 AM
amyFB amyFB is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lehigh Valley, Eastern PA
Posts: 4,599
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandobart View Post
Pretty cool! What is the scale length? If 13" - 15" probably standard mando tuning GDAE. If greater than 16" it should be CGDA like a 'dola (or tenor banjo). Chords for 5ths tuned instruments are incredibly simple and so easy to transpose.

If you're not used to the high tension double course wonder of a mandolin you'll be in awe as that cheese grater destroys those guitar calluses. But you'll have honest to God real mando calluses when you're done.

I guess it is short scale and the GDAE seemed to be the tuning it wants.

"High tension double course" is a new term to my ears!
I was calling it stiff and blaming it on old strings.

My poor calluses .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
amyFb

Huss & Dalton CM
McKnight MacNaught
Breedlove Custom 000
Albert & Mueller S
Martin LXE
Voyage-Air VM04
Eastman AR605CE
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-09-2016, 03:34 PM
Frogstar Frogstar is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 486
Default

I've got one of these myself, but haven't tracked down an appropriate replacement tailpiece yet. A number of the teeth--or whatever the proper name is--that the loop end of the strings go on are missing.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Other Musical Instruments

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=