mudskippercory - Posted - 03/10/2008:  16:09:49

Has anyone every messed around with a Bass Banjo?
If so, what are they like? Just curious.
Thanks,

"No banjo has yelled at me, that I didn't put the toilet seat down"
Mudskipper Cory

wjtank - Posted - 03/10/2008:  18:47:42

Cory,

Jim Adkins ("Duck" on BHO) has a bandmate with a banjo bass. He played it at the Scruggs tribute and Guinness world record event on Sept. 13, 2006. Look to the left of this picture, beside the regular upright bass: http://www.banjo.com/FIELDRIGHT.jpg

Jim could probably tell you what it sounds like if you are interested.

Bill T.

Edited by - wjtank on 03/10/2008 18:48:13

eruannu - Posted - 03/10/2008:  23:57:48

they work really great to translate punchy funk style bass to the acousic realm les clay ppol plays one often at acoustic gigs, victor wooten has one as do many others set up well they are a dream decent volume (not for blugrass bass) short sustain, in the right hands very cannon like, set up poor these can be an ugly mama bear that is not frindly to its handler or others near by. try one if you like it get it I am thinking of building one soon will post the process as i work on it by the way i hope you are not refering to that big 20" monstrosity that a certain maker builds those are not really all that great, but the god tone or similar desighn seems to work good.

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather, try to become a man of value." -- Albert Einstein

steve davis - Posted - 03/11/2008:  00:14:41

I've always wanted to build one based on a parade snaredrum,built like an open back dowel banjo.

Sometimes I just gotta wait for better weather

eruannu - Posted - 03/11/2008:  02:07:13

my plan was to make a 14" block rim

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather, try to become a man of value." -- Albert Einstein

dhergert - Posted - 03/11/2008:  03:58:13

Gold Tone will very soon be selling a 14" cello banjo in three configurations -- a 4 string, a 6 string (with one short drone string) and a 5-string. These are wonderful banjos, their tone remakable. I played the 5-string, tuned about an octave lower than standard 5-string G-tuning, in classic-banjo style at NAMM early this year and just plain fell in love with it. Here's a YouTube of that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1RhZ1jCr34

Best,

-- Don
http://home.att.net/~dhergert
http://mysite.verizon.net/don_hergert

"If you must use your banjo as a snow shovel, do so:
only don't wonder if it sounds dull afterwards."
-- S.S. Stewart catalog, 1896.

eruannu - Posted - 03/11/2008:  04:15:50

yeah i saw it too would like one but would like to try my hand at a 14" bass banjo as opposed to goldtones 13" unit

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather, try to become a man of value." -- Albert Einstein

dixie kiwi - Posted - 03/11/2008:  04:35:34

yeah, les claypool!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GvUa6FHpM0

John Allison - Posted - 03/11/2008:  07:32:19

Elderly Instruments had one hanging up in the showcase at the entranceway. Also, someone had one at the 2006 Midwest Banjo Camp. It is my understanding that he builds them. Might check with Elderly to see who that person is (I think he resides in the general Lansing, MI area).

Froggie
"Courage is Fear that has said its prayers.

AndyM - Posted - 03/11/2008:  08:54:57

Cory: I had a weak moment a coupla years ago and bought one of those Gold Tone Banjo Basses. I really couldn't play it very well but thought it kind of cool. I took it to a band practice to let our bass player try it out. She really fell in love with it and I haven't got it back yet. She plays it at most of our gigs and leaves her stand-up home. I asked her why she liked it and she says there is a certain "twang" to it that she really liked. It does sound purty durn good, I most admit. It must be plugged in. That's all I can tell you about mine.