Violanjo Says:
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @9:22:41 AM

I really like those low notes! Would the sound be very different if it was played on a 5 string cello banjo?

Paul Roberts Says:
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @9:33:26 AM

Very different. I've now discovered that the 4-string can be tuned in several ranges, from octave below violin, to cello, and to double octave below violin. My recent segments were intended to demonstrate the viability of this instrument's effectiveness, even down into the lowest portions of the double octave range, which, for me, is utterly astounding.

plunknplinkntwang Says:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @2:44:27 PM

Fantastic - I wish for a better sound system so that the bass could shake my innards; or a CEB-5 to make those lovely sounds myself, one day perhaps..
Do you have to use different strings to achieve the octave drop?

Paul Roberts Says:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @2:55:56 PM

I'm using the same strings Gold Tone recommends for CGDA, cello tuning, on the 4-string cello banjo (CEB-4).

robmac07 Says:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @4:55:18 PM

Real nice Paul.
That deep tone on 'Frosty Morn' sounds spooky!
With my subwoofer on, it just about shook the monitor off the desk (well almost)
That big 14" pot responds well at such low frequencies and the bloke playing it isn't too bad either!
Cheers
Rob

Paul Roberts Says:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 @5:04:34 PM

Thanks Rob,
I was amazed when I discovered the thing could actually be tuned that low, and still maintain its tonal integrity all the way up and down the neck. And, it means that a mandolinists, fiddlers, Irish tenor banjo and octave mandolin players can dial in the low double octave, with the same fingering positions. I thought with the YouTube videos I've done demonstrating 3 ranges, on the 4-string cello banjo, that it would have excited more interest in the instrument by now. Perhaps it'll still happen. Sometimes it takes a Bela Fleck to ring in a wake-up call. Anyway, I do think it's an amazingly cool instrument.
Best regards,
PauL