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Banjo Players Unite!

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Just a place for all things banjo, 5 String, Tenor, Plectrum...and of course DIY creations.

Members: 65
Latest Activity: Jun 5

6 members like this

Discussion Forum

Some specifically general questions

Started by Matt Quinney. Last reply by MBliss Oct 11, 2012. 32 Replies 1 Like

My wife has expressed interest in learning banjo, and I thought I would make her one. I am planning to use a 10" tambourine and 4 strings (thought about cookie tins for lower cost, but those that…Continue

4 string or 5 string banjo for blues?

Started by JIm Trussler. Last reply by Gerald Readore Aug 22, 2012. 1 Reply 0 Likes

Which is better for blues a 4 string or 5 string?What tuning?Also if you build a cigar box guitar(4 string) is the scale length the same for a banjo? IF so then is it a question of its tuning that…Continue

The 3-String Dulcijo and Other Diatonically Scaled Banjos with Re-Entrant Tuning

Started by Rand Moore. Last reply by Rand Moore Jul 28, 2012. 27 Replies 0 Likes

Hi All.The "dulcijo" is a unique 3-string banjo-like instrument that features diatonically spaced frets, a short re-entrantly…Continue

Tags: frailing, clawhammer, dulcijo, diatonic banjo

5-String Banjo Discussion Area

Started by Rand Moore. Last reply by Ryan Rose Feb 4, 2012. 10 Replies 0 Likes

Hi All.The 5-string banjo…Continue

Tags: frailing, clawhammer, 5-string, banjo

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Comment by Mr. Toad on June 5, 2013 at 1:16am: You could check over at the banjohangout.com. I'm sure you could find an answer to your question.

Comment by Ben on June 3, 2013 at 5:40pm: Jim - True, there is not a lot of info geared specifically towards tenors. Keep in mind that there are a few different ways of tuning them for playing in different styles. The "traditional way" is CGDA (like a viola). The strings have the same relation to each other as the mandolin so you can steal a lot from that, you just won't be in the same key (but solo it will work). There's also the "Irish way" where you tune GDAE (like an octave mandolin) so the stuff you're playing will be in the same key. There's "Chicago tuning" which is DGBE (like the top 4 strings of a guitar). You can use some guitar method with that. With that one, you could tune the high string down to D so you have DGBd and you can use pretty much any banjo chord chart (just ignore the imaginary 5th string). I know...so many ways, so little time!

Comment by JIm Trussler on June 3, 2013 at 5:23pm: Ben - Thanks for the great info. AS a guitar player the Banjo is a little daunting as I am not finding much information on the net about what I am looking for. This is a great site for info!

My original idea was to build a 4 string Tenor but couldn't find a "guide" on how to play one when it came to Blues, if that makes sense. I did some research on "Frailing" and it had the sound style I wanted but alas as you said I don't have a drone string.

Looks like I will stick with the Tenor and see where it goes. Anyone have any pointers, please post them.

Comment by Ben on June 2, 2013 at 9:55pm: Jim - Frailing needs a high drone string which is absent on a 4-stringer (unless of course you make a drone and 3 full length). Adding a 5th, short drone string to the neck is not that difficult and that's what will give the cigar box a banjo feel. Otherwise, 4 strings is just fine and I'd suggest going the tenor banjo route. You may want to check out the tenor guitar group if you go that way. A lot of people pigeon-hole tenors into either early jazz or celtic playing, but I love playing the blues on mine. (Of course, you could also just keep the longer scale length and have a "plectrum" banjo. Either way, you'll end up with a strummer instead of a frailer).

Comment by JIm Trussler on June 2, 2013 at 9:06pm: Whats the best or recommended method for playing a 4 string Cigar Box Banjo - Frail Claw hammer ????

I just got a decent cigar box and am planning the build and thinking down the road. Blues is the intent. Thoughts?

Comment by Jim burt on May 20, 2013 at 12:56pm: Hi Guys!...Glad ot be on board....Hoping to get some insight on making banjo...Want to build a cigar box or tin can...but l have a opening mind...Some time it get muddy lol

Comment by Mr. Toad on May 12, 2013 at 10:28pm: Thank you for your input.

Comment by Ben on May 12, 2013 at 5:54pm: Mr. Toad, there is no difference in the formula used to derive fret spacing. The difference in you two "tenor" instruments likely comes from different scale lengths. Tenor instruments often fall in the 19"-23" scale length range (similar to how guitars are not all the same scale length...Fender vs. Gibson, etc). Other groups to check out would be the Scale Lengths group and the Tenor Guitar group.

Comment by Mr. Toad on May 12, 2013 at 5:34pm: Is there any difference between the fret spacing of a guitar and a banjo? I am making a tenor banjo and printed out a template using "wfret" and when I compare the template to the tenor banjo that I have, they are not the same.

Comment by frank tennyson on December 5, 2012 at 2:31pm: I have a 12" round John Deere sign and a vintage Houston Harvast Dairy 3 Flavor Popcorn container made of tin with a 10" lip. It tapers down to 6 1/2" at the bottom with a flanged base of 8". There are two handles on the sides 1 1/2 inches from the top. I want to use the two to make a banjo. Any building suggestions? Neck length, neck attachment, attaching sign to container, scale length, fretting, fret board, bridge design, ANY suggestions & EVERY idea WELCOME!