[Dixielandjazz] Banjolene.

[John Farrell]

What is a banjolene? Possibly a typo for banjolele, a hybrid instrument
which includes features of both banjo and ukulele. Check it out on Google.

John Farrell
http://homepages.tesco.net/~stridepiano/midifiles.htm

----- Original Message -----
From: <Bigbuttbnd at aol.com>
Cc: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Banjolene.


> I THINK a banjolene is a banjo-tuned GUITAR with 6 or 8 strings. If 6, the
> two highest strings would be doubled an octave apart, if 8 all strings
would be
> doubled an octave apart (like a 12 string guitar.) I have such an
instrument.
> It is a FACTORY-made Rickenbacher with 6 pegs. The nut is notched so that
the
> 2 top sounding strings can be doubled an octave apart. I don't string it
that
> way, though, cause I didn't like the doubled sound. Instead, I just string
it
> like a plectrum banjo with 4 strings. My only complaint is that it has no
real
> bottom (which you're used to hearing on a real guitar) because your lowest
> note is a middle C. I've lowered the G string by an octave and that helps
some
> providing a range from G below middle C to the standard offerings on the
top
> string.
>
> In recordings it really has a sound associated with the 40's. I did some
> Mills Brothers 'sound-alike' recordings and it sounded like the real thing
when
> played in a Freddy Greene 4-to-the-bar style. I don't know why Eddie
Peabody
> called it a 'banjolene'... all my buddies call it a 'guit-jo' when I bring
it to
> a gig.
>
> Rocky Ball
> Banjo / guit-jo
> Atlanta
>
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