forestryguy - Posted - 04/26/2011:  16:17:40

Anyone know what kind of banjo Pip Gillette is playing in this video?

youtube.com/watch?v=la35JyjHDd..._embedded

asandwho - Posted - 04/26/2011:  17:04:54

It's a banjeaurine. May be Lyon & Healy.  I can't quite see the headstock. Bad eyes. :) Some one will probably be able to identify the maker.

forestryguy - Posted - 04/27/2011:  18:07:27

Hey, thanks.  I didn't know what you call it.  I am interested because of a shoulder injury that has made reaching up on my long-neck quite painful.  The Gillette Brothers are big on old-time music, western and minstrel styles so this may be an old no-name instrument.  I noticed the intonation is not too good.

Sultans of Claw - Posted - 04/28/2011:  04:38:05

banjohangout.org/group/ponyup

You might want to check out the links I've gathered in this group from time to time if you are interested in these short-scale instruments.

Oh, and thanks for providing material for another link.

Edited by - Sultans of Claw on 04/28/2011 04:39:27

forestryguy - Posted - 04/28/2011:  07:10:32

Here is another one: 

Get Along 'Lil Dogies

youtube.com/watch?v=Pvqmf5jRvd...e=related

Sultans of Claw - Posted - 04/28/2011:  08:43:35

Yeah, I saw that one.  I'd like to see those guys do The Streets of Laredo.

Mark Johnson - Posted - 04/28/2011:  09:15:31

dunno the brand, likely a Lyon and Healy or similar.  But as asandwho says, it's a banjeurine.  Most of the classic era banjo makers made them, plus there are some modern ones available too.  It's a great option for someone that struggles with the mechanics of a full modern scale length banjo.

some favorites:

romerobanjos.com/09211/09211.html

bernunzio.com/products/0913854

Incidentally, it's hard to say, but occasionally he sounds perfectly in tune up the neck on the first video.  Other times, not so much.  Point being I don't think the intontation of the instrument is the root of the issue... I'm guessing he is accidentally bending a few of those notes, an easy thing to do on a gut/nylon strung instrument (esp. if it's a short scale instrument not tuned up particularly high).

I dig the clips, btw.  I'm glad you posted them.