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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/263285
Buck R - Posted - 05/23/2013: 10:47:52
Hi Folks!
I've just got hold of a very old looking 'small banjo' believed to date from the early 20th Century. It has SIX strings - 5 which run across the nut and one thinner string that exits at the 5th fret. I was just wondering if anyone here could tell me:
a) The actual name of this instrument
b) What tuning I would use for it? (I've already snapped two strings from over-tightening!)
Any light that can be shed on this particular instrument would be much appreciated (especially what to tune it to without snapping any more strings!) I'll try to upload photos soon.
PS: The back of the headstock reads: "Buchanan"
janolov - Posted - 05/23/2013: 11:29:48
Examples of small 5 string banjos are the piccolo banjo (about 18" scale - from the bridge to the nut) tuned dADF#A or banjourine/banjeurine (about 20" scale) tuned cGCEG or cFCEG. There are also piccolo banjos with half length as a normal banjo (13.5 - 14" scale) tuned gDGBD or gCGBD (one octave higher than the normal banjo). If there is a sixth string it is probably an extra bass string tuned a third, fourth or fifth lower than the normal fourth string. I have not heard of 6 string piccolo banjos or banjourines before, but in the banjo world everything seems to be possible.
janolov - Posted - 05/23/2013: 11:42:06
There is also an earlier discussion about normal size 6 string Buchanan banjos: banjohangout.org/topic/258807
Terry Allan Hall - Posted - 05/28/2013: 14:20:05
Saw such a banjo at a Guitar Show about 10 years ago...no name on it, but looked to be early 20th Century. Unfortunately, it was in pretty rough condition, so I passed on it.
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