New Old Tenor Banjo

  1. Martin Whitehead
    Martin Whitehead
    Hi folks! I picked up a TB over the weekend. It's a no-name, but it's in pretty good condition. It seems a little "odd" to me, however, that the scale length is so long. Most of the TBs I've seen described on the web have a scale length of 19 - 23 inches. If I've measured correctly (nut to crown of 12th fret x 2) this one is 27 1/8 inches (13 9/16 inches to the 12th fret). I put new strings on it, but all the local shop had was a light set (.09, .12, .22w, .24 -- I think). I tuned it to GDAE.

    Question#1 - Just how odd is that?
    Question#2 - What string sizes would you recommend for that scale length and tuning?

    Thanks for your help!
  2. bmac
    bmac
    Martin:

    You have a plectrum banjo. They have a longer neck than a tenor banjo. Google it and you will find all you need to know about tuning, strings, etc. You may want to use light strings, or mediums at most since you don't know anything about the neck. They are normally tuned CGBD. apparently guitar players find them quite easy to play.

    Bart

    Bart
  3. Martin Whitehead
    Martin Whitehead
    Well that explains a lot. Thanks Bart.
Results 1 to 3 of 3