Hell

[foldedpath]

The awfulness of mass Guinness World Record events like that one isn't fully appreciated in a YouTube clip, because it always includes the recording or lead player the group is attempting to follow over a PA system. Imagine what it sounded like inside the group of players!

I confess that there are a few banjo-shaped objects here in the house. Not that they're played, mind you, there's just here somehow. Two are a cross between an early/primitive banjo replica and an attempt to see how inexpensively a banjo could be made and sold for OldTime players. They were made by a luthier friend, early rough prototypes, and they were passed on to me at one point when I was playing in a band with him. Nylon strings, no frets, a tacked-on head that can't be tuned, and peg tuners. Almost impossible to tune or play in-tune once you're sort of in tune, but they're interesting as a hint of what early banjos were probably like.

The other instrument is an old 1920's banjo mandolin left here by another friend. I guess I'm babysitting it, until he finds a more permanent home. It's a horrible little thing.

Maybe if I had an actual playable banjo here, I might fool around with it. Probably a tenor, for the Irish stuff. But I don't want to take a chance that I might get interested. That way lies madness, I'm guessing....

[Dale Ludewig]

I actually do play banjo, but that's no reason to spoil the fun of this thread.

Foldedpath, could you perhaps post a photo of that first instrument? That could be informative.

[foldedpath]

Foldedpath, could you perhaps post a photo of that first instrument? That could be informative.

Better yet, here's the builder's web site (Eric Prust), with photos and a few sound clips:

http://www.chloesgarden.com/Banjos%2...Web/Banjos.htm

The ones here would correspond to the Basic Tackhead model, and please disregard my comments about being unplayable. These were rough prototypes while he was working out the neck size and shape, and as a non-banjo player, that comment was more than a little tongue in cheek anyway.

These models seem to be popular in OldTime, Civil War, and Minstrel banjo circles. You can find many YouTube clips with a search on "eric prust banjo."

[journeybear]

All right, that will be quite enough dissemination of useful information here. : Now, back to the frivolity!

[Kieran]

As a banjo player - i'm not qualified to comment !,
Ivan

Or what about this unfortunate guy





Kieran
http://www.moloneymusic.com

[Petrus]

I want to see a double-necked banjo.

[Bertram Henze]

I want to see a double-necked banjo.

I have to admit that it's not a perfect example. I would like to see one with the necks extending in opposite directions, with one bridge in the middle; OTOH I'd have to come up with speculations about physical proportions of the player or the Appalachian log cabin he was born in or the secret burial place of his audience...

[Capt. E]

What is a musician's hole in one? When they throw an accordion in a dumpster and hit a banjo.

[CSIMelissa]

You have been warned so be good.

You forgot to mention that in the next room in Hell, Justin Bieber is performing a never ending concert.

[dang]

You can get an Omatone for around $20 on Amazon.com... Admit it. You are tempted.

[Ellen T]

I have to admit that it's not a perfect example. I would like to see one with the necks extending in opposite directions, with one bridge in the middle; OTOH I'd have to come up with speculations about physical proportions of the player or the Appalachian log cabin he was born in or the secret burial place of his audience...

Oh great, now I have this stuck in my head: an ambidextrous long-armed knuckle-dragger doing simultaneous fingering while his ol' hound dawg does claw-paw pickin'.

[journeybear]

Say what you want, but at least it's got scroll. Two of 'em!

[Neoclinus]

The other instrument is an old 1920's banjo mandolin left here by another friend. I guess I'm babysitting it, until he finds a more permanent home. It's a horrible little thing.

Hey, I resemble that remark! Yeah, I think it took all of two minutes of plunking around on it to realize the best place for it is a dark and dusty corner among other creepy old things where it can frighten small children who go a-wanderin'.
I will eventually more than likely fix the cursed thing and send it back from whom it came. (Though I don't know if we have an appropriate crossroads at which to look for him...)

But admit it, you like my little Stewart. There is a reason however that I play a banjo that's quieter than my mandolin... But yeah, best stay away, that's a slippery slope and tenor banjo is only the gateway drug. Before you know it that fifth string starts growing out the side and it's beyond hope then.

[Neoclinus]

I'm sure this has turned up before...

[Bertram Henze]

... while his ol' hound dawg does claw-paw pickin'.

I rather figure him clawhammering with his tongue (the player, not the dog).

[Jubal]

You guys must've never heard the bassoon...

What music store is that? I'll bet there are some really nice sounding openbacks there.

It's Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. Their mandolin selection (from awhile ago) is my avatar.

[Ben Cooper]

What is a musician's hole in one? When they throw an accordion in a dumpster and hit a banjo.

Actually I thought that was the definition of "perfect pitch".

[foldedpath]

But admit it, you like my little Stewart. There is a reason however that I play a banjo that's quieter than my mandolin...

Yes, okay, that Stewart is a sweet-sounding instrument... wait for it... for a banjo.

Quiet enough to use for solo vocal accompaniment without having to yell at the top of your lungs. Records nicely too. Hey, maybe that's where the powerful "high lonesome" singing style in Bluegrass developed, from the proximity of loud 5-string banjos. Or maybe it was just the hearing damage...

[journeybear]

Actually I thought that was the definition of "perfect pitch".

Well, yes, but that's without hitting the rim - er, sides. Nothing but net - er, crunch.

[JeffD]

You forgot to mention that in the next room in Hell, Justin Bieber is performing a never ending concert.

Ahhhh.

You are right.

[Ben Cooper]

You forgot to mention that in the next room in Hell, Justin Bieber is performing a never ending concert.

On Banjo and Accordian! (Full Body Shudder!!!)

[Richard58]

How abt electric guitars and drums

[Bertram Henze]

You forgot to mention that in the next room in Hell, Justin Bieber is performing a never ending concert.

From there, you take a narrow dark passage downstairs to the German Schlager section...

[journeybear]

How abt electric guitars and drums

Let's not get carried away. On almost everyone's Top Ten List of rock musicians you'll see nothing but electric guitarists and drummers.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Nice one Keiran !!,
Ivan