Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 26

Thread: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

  1. #1
    Hypermandocemic gringosid's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Asheville NC
    Posts
    25

    Default Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    I ran into a guy playing a Gibson Jr Tenor Banjo from the 20's. It was tuned EADG and had silk n steel strings. The neck scale was obviously short enough for that tuning. Anyone know if any other manufacturers made a short scale like that? It was a blast to play! Anything similar out there? There was one posted in the classified but the ad is gone. THANKS!
    "It's not that I think playing the mandolin is so terribly important, but when compared with the other great concerns of man..... it's paramount!"

    Bruce Clark F 5 # 6/2011

  2. #2
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Google Tango banjo & melody banjo.

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jacob For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Fort Vermilion ,Alberta
    Posts
    144

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    There's two main ITB scale lengths; the 19 fret, and the 17 fret.
    Both can be tuned GDAE.
    I have a Goldtone 17fret model and frankly it's been a heartbreaker!! Trying to acquire proper strings, case, and get anything but a thuddy tone.
    I've tried the Pearse sets (13-20-30-40) and put together Daddario sets as well,but on this perticular Banjo...meh.
    I'd suggest getting a 19 fret. They're more common, have a snappier tone,and strings ect are much easier to find.
    Good luck!!

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Ian Rossiter For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Neither 17 fret nor 19 fret tenor banjos can be tuned up to GDAE mandolin tuning. Their scale is too long.
    For that, a tango or melody banjo is needed. They were like a banjo mandolin with single string courses.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4265_01.jpg 
Views:	513 
Size:	61.3 KB 
ID:	107683

    Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.).

    Vega Style K Tango/Melody Banjo (1926)

  7. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jacob For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    13,103

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    However, a tenor banjo can be tuned to octave mandolin tuning, which is how Irish players tend to tune it.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  9. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to mrmando For This Useful Post:


  10. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Fort Vermilion ,Alberta
    Posts
    144

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Whoops...
    I meant to say; GDAE an octave lower!!
    Sorry for any misunderstanding!

  11. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Ian Rossiter For This Useful Post:


  12. #7
    ♪☮♫ Roll away the dew ♪☮♫ Dan Krhla's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Torrington, CT
    Posts
    561

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    most of us knew what you meant. I LOVED my ITB, but out of all my instruments, it was played out the least and I had to get rid of it. May be replacing it soon though. </3
    do good things

  13. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Dan Krhla For This Useful Post:


  14. #8
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    That GDAE tuning on the tenor banjo is called "Irish tuning," not to be confused with DGBE "Chicago tuning," or the CGDA tuning for which the tenor banjo was originally intended -- you could call that "standard" or "mandola tuning."

    Lots of people playing TB's in GDAE; Gold Tone is making 17-fret "Irish tenor" models for that tuning, and you can buy GDAE tenor banjo strings from several companies.

    While some consider the shorter-scale, 17-fret banjos better suited to GDAE tuning, others use 19-fret models with equal success. Don't expect to play one exactly like a mandolin, though; the longer scale and wider fret spacing usually require different fingering techniques.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  15. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to allenhopkins For This Useful Post:


  16. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Ontario Canada
    Posts
    444

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    What allenhopkins said.

    I found with my Gold Tone Irish Tenor that their suggested gauges, 40, 30, 20, 16, worked very well, though sometimes I have to buy individual strings and make a set, or get as close as possible by picking through my stock as dedicated sets are seemingly impossible to get around here. No worries, it's not that inconvenient. Floppy strings on a short scale = lousy tone.

    I also found that the original head was better than the Fibreskyn one I tried for a while. Bob Smakula www.smakula.com was a good source of heads by the way. It needs to be snug too, and the tailpiece needs to be just right or it will eat tone. Ie, a good set-up helps.

  17. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mike Crocker For This Useful Post:


  18. #10
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    FWIW, CGDA are still 5th intervals , like mando-cello/ mandola ..

    the primary Traditional jazz tenor banjo tuning.

    same chops, just different names.


    BTW, with a steel short string ,
    the E on a melody banjo with friction tuners is a real PIA to tune.

    a nylon string, being elastic, some what better ..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  19. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mandroid For This Useful Post:


  20. #11
    Destroyer of Mandolins
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    5,017

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    I share Ian's experience. I play the 19 fret tenor in Irish tuning. I've found that I resort to a lot of the tips and advice from the octave mandolin and bouzouki players on the forum. While I've tried several 17 fret instruments I've never been pleased with the feel of the low G string. They strike me as being 'below the lower limit' for the instrument if that makes sense. The 19 fret gives me a better feel there, but of course the longer length takes a bit of getting used to, as I'm sure it does with the longer mandolin instruments.

    I also use a conventional five-string banjo in 'Chicago' tuning (gDGBE), with the four main strings tuned like the top of a guitar and the drone to G. Many Irish folk singers - as opposed to Irish Traditional Musicians - use that tuning. The banjo loses much of its melodic flexibility but becomes an extraordinary accompaniment instrument; an incredibly powerful, even overwhelming 'chord monster'. For IFM (instead of ITM) the five-string becomes the singer's banjo and you'll see some of the older singers using it that way. Some to this as well with the tenor or even the very long plectrum banjo but without the drone.
    Last edited by Tim2723; Oct-07-2013 at 1:51am.
    Dedicated Ovation player
    Avid Bose user

  21. The following members say thank you to Tim2723 for this post:


  22. #12
    Hypermandocemic gringosid's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Asheville NC
    Posts
    25

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    I just purchased a 20's Slingerland 17 fret. It appears to be in wonderful playing condition. I will post when received. Thanks for the feedback! sid
    "It's not that I think playing the mandolin is so terribly important, but when compared with the other great concerns of man..... it's paramount!"

    Bruce Clark F 5 # 6/2011

  23. #13
    Registered User BBarton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Prince Edward Island
    Posts
    512

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Ian - I play both a 17-fret and a 19-fret for ITM, and I like Newtone strings (made in UK) for both. I use the medium (12-18w-28-38) or heavy (13-20w-30-40) gauge phospohor bronze for the 19-fret and use the heavy gauge substituting a 42 for the 40 G-string. I order direct from Eagle Music (UK) and they will make the sets up custom, even heavier if you wish, and I don't find the shipping/postage to Canada too much different. Good folks to deal with. Tried Pearse heavies -- didn't like 'em.
    Too many instruments...too little time

  24. #14
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    2486 Govoners Drive South
    Posts
    433

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by BBarton View Post
    Ian - I play both a 17-fret and a 19-fret for ITM, and I like Newtone strings (made in UK) for both. I use the medium (12-18w-28-38) or heavy (13-20w-30-40) gauge phospohor bronze for the 19-fret and use the heavy gauge substituting a 42 for the 40 G-string. I order direct from Eagle Music (UK) and they will make the sets up custom, even heavier if you wish, and I don't find the shipping/postage to Canada too much different. Good folks to deal with. Tried Pearse heavies -- didn't like 'em.

    - - - Updated - - -

    https://www.juststrings.com/jps-2025h.html John Pearse makes Tenor Banjo Strings designed for GDAE Tuning & they'll allow the Head to Vibrate more freely.
    Last edited by s11141827; Feb-03-2022 at 10:02am. Reason: Duplicate link

  25. #15
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Eight-plus-year-old thread... Quite likely the question's been solved a while ago...
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  26. #16

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Don't tell the Irish people that Jacob, they've been playing tenor banjo's both standard and short scale tuned EADG for a very long time, have you never heard of the late Barney McKenna, AKA banjo Barney from Donnycarney, one of the worlds greatest musicians IMHO.

    Dave H
    Eastman 615 mandola
    2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
    2012 Weber Bitteroot F5
    Eastman MD 915V
    Gibson F9
    2016 Capek ' Bob ' standard scale tenor banjo
    Ibanez Artist 5 string
    2001 Paul Shippey oval hole

  27. #17
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Co. Mayo, Ireland
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by s11141827 View Post
    - - - Updated - - -

    https://www.juststrings.com/jps-2025h.html John Pearse makes Tenor Banjo Strings designed for GDAE Tuning & they'll allow the Head to Vibrate more freely.
    Are you an endorser for John Pearse strings? No matter what the thread content is you always squeeze in a mention of them somehow......
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  28. #18
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Co. Mayo, Ireland
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hanson View Post
    Don't tell the Irish people that Jacob, they've been playing tenor banjo's both standard and short scale tuned EADG for a very long time, have you never heard of the late Barney McKenna, AKA banjo Barney from Donnycarney, one of the worlds greatest musicians IMHO.

    Dave H
    I think Jacob was referring to if the OP wanted to tune a tenor banjo to the exact same pitch as the mandolin, rather than an octave lower.
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  29. #19
    Tired & Cranky Monte Barnett's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    140

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Since the thread's been resurrected, I'll point out that scale length is most often measured by linear scale (inches, centimeters, etc), NOT the number of frets. What's the scale length of a fretless banjo?!
    Monte

    Northfield F2S
    Weber Yellowstone Octave F

  30. #20
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    2486 Govoners Drive South
    Posts
    433

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    FWIW, CGDA are still 5th intervals , like mando-cello/ mandola ..

    the primary Traditional jazz tenor banjo tuning.

    same chops, just different names.


    BTW, with a steel short string ,
    the E on a melody banjo with friction tuners is a real PIA to tune.

    a nylon string, being elastic, some what better ..
    Geared Tuners even better

  31. #21
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    2486 Govoners Drive South
    Posts
    433

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    D'addario EJ63i Strings are great for GDAE Tuning but they calculate the tension w/ a 26.25 in scale length of a Plectrum Banjo because these strings are really designed for tuning a Plectrum Banjo in Fifths. 5ths Tuning on a Plectrum Banjo broadens the range & gives you more notes you can play.

  32. #22
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    2486 Govoners Drive South
    Posts
    433

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    The Tenor Banjo can be tuned like a Mandolin/Violin but down an Octave, & John Pearse makes String sets for that tuning which have a Wound 2nd String to achieve a more consistent tone. Keep in mind the EJ63i set is really optimized for tuning a Plectrum Banjo in Fifths which gives you more range.

  33. #23
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    2486 Govoners Drive South
    Posts
    433

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    I think Jacob was referring to if the OP wanted to tune a tenor banjo to the exact same pitch as the mandolin, rather than an octave lower.
    That's way too high, & tuning it an Octave below a Mandolin really takes advantage of the longer scale length, plus it'll sound mellower.

  34. #24
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Co. Mayo, Ireland
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by s11141827 View Post
    That's way too high, & tuning it an Octave below a Mandolin really takes advantage of the longer scale length, plus it'll sound mellower.
    Yeah, I'm very aware that it's way to high, I was just pointing out to Dave H. that Jacob wasn't saying tenor banjos can't be tuned GDAE, he was saying they can't be tuned to the same pitch as a mandolin.
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  35. The following members say thank you to Jill McAuley for this post:


  36. #25
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    2486 Govoners Drive South
    Posts
    433

    Default Re: Tenor Banjo tuned like a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Krhla View Post
    most of us knew what you meant. I LOVED my ITB, but out of all my instruments, it was played out the least and I had to get rid of it. May be replacing it soon though. </3
    Deering makes a good one

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    Yeah, I'm very aware that it's way to high, I was just pointing out to Dave H. that Jacob wasn't saying tenor banjos can't be tuned GDAE, he was saying they can't be tuned to the same pitch as a mandolin.
    Octave Mandolin Tuning, yes it'll work plus the scale length is the same as an Octave Mandolin (roughly).

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •