japus - Posted - 10/06/2008:  09:22:13

I am seriously considering an A scale banjo, matter of fact I am ready to order, however before I do I thought before spending the cash I would ask around.
I have a Deering John Hartford with a resonator (not pop off) I play clawhammer 95% of the time and love DD tuning..I will most likely keep the Hartford tis a great instrument..your comments please

Forever a beginner
Best wishes

jgwoods - Posted - 10/06/2008:  09:36:53

-Why do you want an A scale/short scale? Does using a capo bother you?
They are smaller, but other than that I can't think of a reason to buy one. They lack versatility in my opinion- can't tune down to C and G without losing tone and playability. For my own use I don't really even like the 25.5 scale that is fairly popular these days. I like the 26+ for good string tension and volume, plus my big hands don't mind the reach. I go both ways as far as tuning right up to DD without a capo, or, I use a capo if keys are changing ofteno I can more quickly get to CC and G.
I suppose if I had a anjo with a capo that growing into the neck from being there so long I might think about an A banjo, other wise not.

Be yourself- everyone else is taken

dbrooks - Posted - 10/06/2008:  09:45:49

I respect jgwoods' views, but I have small hands and prfer to play my A-scale and short-scale banjos. In fact, I am waiting on a Reiter A-scale to arrive this week.

On my 1890's with Nylgut strings, A-scale and short-scale, I routinely tune them to G and C and like the tone I got a lot. I capo them to A and D because I don't think the Nylguts accept a lot of re-tuning as well as steel strings. I am reluctant to put steel strings on these old banjos. And with a capo, the volume and tone on these banjos suffers, so that is a limitation.

I am hoping my Reiter will let me tune up and down more easily and with more consistent volume and tone.

Let me add that my other main banjo is a longneck Vega I have had for 40 years, and it's scale length, even capoed, is near 27". It's great for folk music but too much for me to handle on melodic clawhammer.

David

Edited by - dbrooks on 10/06/2008 10:01:33

japus - Posted - 10/06/2008:  09:52:06

The Bart Reiter A scale is the one I am considering, I am not seeking versatility I will keep this banjo in DD

Forever a beginner
Best wishes

Edited by - japus on 10/06/2008 09:53:17

banjo bill-e - Posted - 10/06/2008:  09:59:30

This small-reach player will be looking only at A-scales next time. Also, I just hate capos, and I do not like having the fifth string peg getting in the way of my thumb. I think that 24" scale would be max, and maybe down to 23".

------------------
Bill

I''m trying for that "ragged, but right" sound. I''m half way there!

Jonnycake White - Posted - 10/06/2008:  10:02:59

I've got a couple of homemade A-scale banjos. I mostly keep them in Double-D tuning. When I'm playing consistently on one of them, I really enjoy playing the shorter scale. I have never used a capo enough to get used to one, and they just kind of throw me off. The only "con" is that it's a little hard to switch back and forth, at least for me at this stage of the game.

Jon W.
"I build better than I play"

Edited by - Jonnycake White on 10/06/2008 10:05:00

dbrooks - Posted - 10/06/2008:  10:12:47

Japus, we have similar tastes. I'm getting my Reiter A-scale as a used instrument, so I'll just have to wait and see what kind of shape it's in. And it will probably take a bit longer to really get a feel for it. But if it performs well in a jam and either sounds good with a capo or lets me retune it easilt between G and A and between double-C and double-D, my needs will be met.

I should point out that Dan Levenson has discouraged me from considering an A-scale each time I have mentioned it. I'm not entirely sure why, but I suppose he considers them limited as well.

I spent a couple of years learning classical guitar and definitely could have used a smaller scale guitar than I had at that time. I may be scarred from that experience.

Japus, what prompts you to consider an A-scale? Your requirements may elicit more helpful comments from the knowledgeable people here.

David

jbalch - Posted - 10/06/2008:  10:31:44

My Reiter A-scale custom Grand Concert is a fantastic banjo. I've use it in standard tuning (double-C or G) and one step higher. I've had no problems with string tension (even tuned low). The shorter scale is very comfortable for my hands. And on top of that, I think it is the best sounding banjo I've recorded.




www.johnbalchmusic.com
www.myspace.com/johnbalch

Edited by - jbalch on 10/06/2008 10:43:01

cockneybanjo - Posted - 10/06/2008:  10:40:38

I have a Gold Tone A-scale Whyte Ladye and it is very good. It will tune to G with heavier strings, but it isn't really interchangeable between G and A - you need to string it to suit, tune it that way and leave it.

I originally bought it for travelling, I found out a long while ago that it will fit into the overheads on commercial airlines, which a 26" scale one won't. It's a great deal better than a 20" scale or one of those little 8" pot ones.

so, it suits me fine but it might not be to everyone's taste

Edited by - cockneybanjo on 10/06/2008 10:41:20

japus - Posted - 10/06/2008:  11:15:11

If I want to play in other tunings I will use my Hartford, as I mentioned I only want this banjo to stay in DD...another reason is my wife is playing a dulcimer now and she keeps it in DAD tuning. We play a lot together..If she ever goes to DAA tuning I may need another banjo for that tuning...
I see there are many various points if view here, and that's great...twas the reason for this post....maybe my next post will be after I order this...in any case isn't a banjo a wonderful instrument?????

Forever a beginner
Best wishes

maxmax - Posted - 10/06/2008:  11:43:03

Seems like you've already made up your mind Japus. And I don't think you will regret it. I hope to see the "I ordered it" post next time I log in here.

Best,
Max

japus - Posted - 10/06/2008:  12:16:56

OK ..done deal thanks everyone..I did have my mind made up, just wanted to hear a little encouragement..Banjo's on its way


Forever a beginner
Best wishes

Cottonmouth - Posted - 10/06/2008:  13:07:19

Just to add to the pile, I play clawhammer on two short-scale banjos. One is a 24-1/2" scale Tu-ba-phone tuned in F (X2=Old G, X4=A), the other has a 23-7/8" scale tuned in Double C. I don't sense any volume loss when using a capo.

"Look upward; He IS coming back!"

"If clawhammer were easy to learn, there would be no challenge."

jgwoods - Posted - 10/06/2008:  14:27:04

Those of you playing A scale banjos in CC or G- what strings are you using?
I find the .010-.023 to be fine in CC at 26"+ scale- below that length my somewhat heavy handed approach will overdrive or buzz when I play. On the other hand DD at 26" + scale makes me thing of going to .009 -.022 to get the right feel- that or put on the capo to tune to DD.

I can certainly see the desire for an "A" ("DD"?) banjo when you are not going to stray from the one tuning.
I have 2 banjos and try to keep them in different tunings, but often wind up with both the same as I retune often. I nevdr take 2 banjos to a jam- can't fit 2 banjos and a fiddle on my motorcycle...



Be yourself- everyone else is taken

jbalch - Posted - 10/06/2008:  15:57:02

I use GHS PF150 strings (10, 12, 14, 22, 10 I think)...with all tunings on my A-scale Reiter. My bridge is probably 1/32" taller than on some of my longer scale banjos.


www.johnbalchmusic.com
www.myspace.com/johnbalch

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 10/06/2008:  16:39:20

I have a Reiter A-Scale that I normally keep tuned to gDGBD, gCGCD, etc. I too use a capo.

I have Nylguts on it, and it's a great banjo. I think it should work out fine- it does for me.

R.D. Lunceford- "Missourian in Exile"
Model 1865 Bowlin Fretless Banjo
****************************************************
"Drink from the Musselfork once, and you''ll
always come back." -Dr. Bondurant Hughes, 1917

robertsart - Posted - 10/06/2008:  18:32:52

I picked up a nice old no-name A-scale at Clifftop a few years ago, strung up with Nylgut. I love the dern thing! I never understood why A-scale banjos aren't more popular than what they are, considering a lot of us play in mostly DD or A anyway.

I play mostly by myself so it's only in "relative tuning" anyway. Don't remember the last time I took a tuner to it.

Scott Roberts
www.oldgroove.com

banjopogo - Posted - 10/06/2008:  19:26:42

I have a Hohner Travel banjo that is even shorter than A scale, I think.
I keep it tuned in 2 C's tuning cranked up to 2 D's tuning.
It sounds fine in D and A, and I love the short scale, and I also love the softer feel-
it makes the tone warmer and more throbby.
When I play good quality full-scale banjos, they sound so harsh to me.
I have thought about getting an A scale someday to tune to G!
I think it would give me the same feel I have on my travel banjo.

Yes, you might lose some volume, but most modern banjos are too loud anyway, IMO!

Michael

mp3 page: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1088/
click on "our stations" for
Michael''s Old Time Fiddle and Banjo Hour (Hi-Fi and Lo-Fi streams)

Jonnycake White - Posted - 10/07/2008:  08:29:21

I use GHS Medium strings (.011 - .022) on all my steel string banjos, either A or G scale. One of the points of a short scale banjo is that it would maintain the same string tension tuned a step higher, using the same string gauges. I tried lighter strings once but didn't like them as well - maybe they are for bluegrassers but they seemed to floppy for frailing.

Jon W.
"I build better than I play"

Bluesage - Posted - 10/07/2008:  10:03:25

An "A" scale banjo makes sense if you have a shorter reach and are planning on tuning the instrument down to "standard" banjo tunings.

It really makes sense if you are purchasing a fretless banjo...

It doesn't make as much sense if you keep it tuned up to "A" (or "D") unless you just don't like using capos.

As you are keeping the "Hartford", you might consider it as your "G" tunings instrument and the short scale as your "D" tunings instrument (keeping it in Double C, C minor, and Open C tuning - which, of course, would now be "D" tunings). This comes in handy at jams where you quickly must change between keys.

Mike Iverson - www.bluesageband.com

Cottonmouth - Posted - 10/07/2008:  14:51:10

jgwoods, I am using D'Addario J55 medium strings on both of my short-scale banjos;
.010, .012, .016, .023w, .010.

"Look upward; He IS coming back!"

"If clawhammer were easy to learn, there would be no challenge."

unclekurty - Posted - 10/07/2008:  19:09:40

I've been playing a 24.9 scale banjo for a few hours now and I really like it. I do like a 26.25 scale though. I have two banjos with a 25.5 scale and like those too. I have long fingers but I feel comfortable on the shorter scale. I don't like using a capo at all. I don't mind tuning my banjos to A/D or down to G/C. I usually just bring one banjo when I go to a jam. A fun thing about stringed instruments is different tunings so I'm used to tuning to different tunings often. I use the AMB Cyro strings 10,12,14, 22B,10. I used to swear by a much heavier set. I use a slightly heavier set on one banjo. I might bump up the 22B to a 23 or a 24. A 24.9 scale is something to consider...

Edited by - unclekurty on 10/07/2008 20:00:16