I have less than 2 hours to stop at a music store to pickup a banjo. A distant relative is here from Italy. He plays a 4 string banjo. I cannot ask which type. However… when he goes back home, the banjo will probably stay here… with me!
I haven’t done any research…
Do I get a shorter (tenor?) - or - longer (plectrum?)
Make it quick… I’m outta here around noon (Eastern standard time)
tenor.
if he plays a plectrum, he’ll be able to manage a tenor scale, but if he’s used to a tenor, the plectrum might be a bit of a stretch.
shorter scale is easier for the chunes, as well, if you’re of a mind to pick it up yourself.
most banjos you’ll find at guitar stores are probably going to be 5-string, though, so you might want to phone first.
OK… I phoned ahead. This place sells on eBay. They are 20 miles from me. They stock 4 string, 5 string, 6 string (guitar tuning) and left handed 5 string.
I played bass guitar for many years, I’m not worried about the stretch.
also, I’m left-handed.. so I can convert a 4 string.
You see mostly tenor (short-scale) banjos in Irish music. That’s what we have, and it’s what the pro irish banjo players play in town. I haven’t seen a plectrum in Irish music actually… But I remember hearing they are good for chords.
-Casey
Tenor, and take off the resonator and stick a rag in the back!
I’m sure the longer scale is ‘twangier’ sounding.
OK… I must do some minimal research.
From irish-banjo.com
Tenor scale length: 21 3/4" - 23"
Plectrum scale length: 25 1/2" - 26 3/4"
Many different tunings, many advantages or disadvantages either way.
Although I’ve never heard of anybody actually using it, the standard Irish tenor tuning GDAE should work well on a plectrum banjo too. In fact most tunings (and corresponding techniques and fingerings) are interchangeable between the plectrum banjo and the tenor banjo. There’s only one major exception: Don’t try the “standard” CGDA tenor tuning on a plectrum banjo! There’s no way you’ll get the strings to last with such a high tuning on such a long scale.
Since the plectrum has more frets, couldn’t it use a capo to tune and play like a tenor?
Hey Lorenzo, I was typing when you posted this.
Yeah, I’m sure I’ll need to silence this thing a bit.
Is the neck width (measured at the nut) usually the same on both?
Capo? Sure. Also, you can pick out the right guage strings to tune the plectrum so that the strings are tight or loose, or just right. Like Bertum Levy, you can even use gut strings, nylon, steel, or any combination to get the sound you want. I like the plectrum myself. I heard an old timer playing one claw-hammer style at a concert at Centrum, in Pt. Townsend. The frailers couldn’t believe it–they all wanted one after that.
Neck width won’t be an issue, I’m sure. Like mandos, they come in all widths, but pretty much all the same—meaning you get use to what you have. I prefer the wider ones. I avoid narrow neck mandos and guitars.
I’m with you on that. Typically, electric guitars are about the same width and length. The exception is the locking nut that’s used with the expensive Floyd Rose tremolo… I think they are 1/8" wider.
This purchase is for an older man, he’s here from Italy for a month or two. It’s just something to keep him occupied. The instruments I’ll choose from are really inexpensive, I cannot ask for too much.
STOP THE PRESSES… no emergency. The store is now closed. I’ll pick this project up again on Tuesday (after Christmas)
See what happens when you procrastinate?
