Ok, I have recently decided that a tenor banjo will be my next instrument to complement the mandolin. I've started to do some research and I'm cosittering what size and tuneing I want to work with. At least on goldtone's website, I've noticed that banjo's labeled "irish" are 17 fret models with short necks, presumably to be used for GDAE. The models that are just called tenors are the 19 fret longer necks for presumably CGDA tuning. This seems really backwards to me, wouldn't a longer scale make more sense on a lower pitched instruemnt? It seems that 17 fret GDAE would be floppy and a 19 fret CGDA would be tight. Is there something that I am missing? Is it because irish tenors are made short for fiddle tunes and easier fingering?
As far as what I'm looking for, I'm pretty sure I want 19fret tuned GDAE so it will be a no brainer to play because I'm used to my mandolin. However, I'd also like to try CGDA at times. Would this require a new nut and/or bridge to change back and forth or would a nut cut for GDAE thick strings be ok for CGDA thinner strings? I'm also thinking vintage, but playability is my #1 concern so a new banjo might be best in terms of reliablity.
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