Mandocello and banjolin

[sstiner]

I am pretty new to this string instrument world but I love my mandolin.
Can someone tell me the difference in the Mandocello besides the size. Is it tuned and played like a mandolin. I would think it is very deep in tone.

Now the banjolin is just a odd instrument all together? I have never heard on but it must be very tinny. Is it also tuned like a mandolin and played like one?

I thank you for your response in advance!

[MikeEdgerton]

A brief definition of the Mandocello can be found here (http://www.mandolincafe.com/glossary/m.shtml) in the Cafe Glossary. A mandolin banjo is tuned and played like a mandolin.

[sstiner]

Thanks Mike. This site is awesome...you can always find the answer. It is like mandolin google! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Bill Foss]

With regards to mandolin banjos, I love them! They are loud, and some may be tinny, but they can have a very nice, rich tone. I have owned two vintage Gibson Mandolin Banjos from the 20s. They both had a loud, plunky but pleasing tone for rags and blues. They are an underrated instrument!
See this thread from the cafe:

http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....t=52466 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=12&t=52466)

[Bill Foss]

On the topic of banjo mandolins since you've never heard one, here's one of the best. Dennis Pash playing some beautiful ragtime with the fantastic Meredith Axelrod on guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9EBtU55peI

[sstiner]

WOW it sounds pretty nice....i have heard it before now tht I hear it just never knew it! Thanks

[Ken Berner]

Recently, I restored a '26 Fairbanks-Vega Style K mandolin banjo. The only original parts remaining are the rim, dowel stick (w/brace and end-pin ball), tailpiece and tension hoop. I already had another vintage '20s neck which is re-fretted and fitted with new Schaller mandolin tuning machines. New shoes, hooks & nuts, Fiberskyn head, Red Henry mahogany bridge and D'Addario J-74 strings were added, and it is a very pleasantly set-up instrument and easy-playing.

[mandroid]

My banjo mandolin has been re done as a 4 string, [another approach]
Jamming with some friends on the 16th it was most useful in the Celtic-
and whatever music session ... in a higher voice than the Irish tuned tenor
on the opposite side of the circle, [Gdae an octave lower]