banjo-mandolin

[Nathanial Baker]

what's a good brand of banjo-mandolin? do they make any with a fifth string? if so, what are the brands? a banjo-mandolin is a mandolin with a banjo head. knowledgable replies are greatly appreciated.
Nathanial Baker

[Asha]

A banjo-mandolin is indeed a mandolin with a banjo head. #These cross type instruments were popular around the early 1900's. #Look at Vega (Whyte Laydie, Little Wonder) and Gibson for some great models. #These days I think Gold Tone is making them, but I'd rather go with one of the classics myself. #eBay has them, but they might be in need of work. #The online dealers (Elderly, etc.) get them in from time to time also. #I do not understand your question about the "fifth string" however. #There is no such thing as a 5 string banjo-mandolin. #(Maybe you mean a 5 course banjo-mandolin, tuned CGDAE? #Man, that would be a monster! #If it existed.)

[mandroid]

there are piccolo banjos, but you tune them like other 5 strings (remember #5 is a drone not so much a noted string)
banjolins tend to describe single strings and mandolin-banjo term is applied to string pairs.
shop by the pound, heavier the better, thick rims are good.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Asha]

Indeed, for any banjo it is generally true that the heavier the better. #I remember the first banjo I ever played (an original Ome) used to leave indentations in my legs!

[JGWoods]

Indeed, for any banjo it is generally true that the heavier the better. #I remember the first banjo I ever played (an original Ome) used to leave indentations in my legs!
maybe for Bluegrass players bent on drowning out every mandolin in town.
For clawhammer lots of folks like Mike Ramseys 1/4" rim open back. Light, great plunk, just right for clawhammer these days where 12" pots are the rage.
I have a Kevin Enoch that probably weighs 5 pounds and it sounds great too.
best
gw

[Bruce Evans]

Gold Tone and Tyler Mountain both manufacture banjolins. I don't own, nor have I played either one, but they have received good reviews from the people who do own them. They are almost always available on ebay.

[mandroid]

FWIW; I have a heavy Vega 'little wonder'8 string, 10"head; it has its own rather generous volume, new Remo renaissance synthetic head (theyre great on the moist coastal areas)
and a thinner rim on another one (mystery maker)also 10" that is set up as a 4 string, get to use clawhammer sort of righthand stuff on it.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Asha]

I neglected to mention that the original heavy Ome I learned to play on was for learning clawhammer old-time style. #A very fine instrument indeed, with a clear pure sound. #Also, check out the banjo playing of Wade Ward to see an original old-timer playing clawhammer style on a "bluegrass" instrument - resonator and all. #These days my clawhammer banjo of choice (I do not play bluegrass) is a rather heavy Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie, but I've also got a converted 10" pot Vega Little Wonder mando-banjo that Mike Ramsey made into a very nice fretless banjo for me. #It's not super light either. #

Not all banjo players (heavy or light, clawhammer or bluegrass) are "intent on drowning out every mandolin player in town". #I've had just as much trouble hearing myself playing with loud guitar players or fiddlers (or clarinets for that matter) as with banjo players, #clawhammer or not. #I've found it's more the sensitivity and openess of the musician than the weight or decibel capability of the instrument that is the key to being able to hear oneself playing with them. #

My $0.02. #Please excuse the rant! #

Alec "Asha" Slater
Author, Mel Bay's Complete Clawhammer Banjo Book.