trapdoor2 - Posted - 06/22/2025:  09:49:22

Things change...

Years ago (2010?), I bought a used LOJO. My buddy Patrick had run across it and knew I was looking for a Cello Banjo...this was close. I had bought an old Orpheum for its 14" pot, I figured I could make a neck for it...but here was a whole 14" banjo, virtually new. I figured I could just restring it with nylon, tune it down an octave and *Bingo*.

So, I bought it cheap and started messing around with it. Frankly, I thought it sounded like a trash-can strung with bailing wire. I did some damping and fiddling around...still no bueno. I've never really been a fan of 6-strings (5-long, one short). I had an original Stewart for a while and couldn't do anything with it.

Eventually, I found an original 16" Stewart CB and my quest for a CB ended the day it arrived. Mine! 

A few months ago, somebody here posted a video of them playing their 6-string. Tuning was different (gGCGCD, double C) and it looked like fun...

I was getting my music room into order (finally, 5yrs after I started) and hung the LOJO up. At least it looks good in with all the others. So, I cleaned off the desk, got it down and put on a new set of strings. The old damping sponge bits in it were limp, so I put in a request with Miz Diane to find more sponge. Crazily, Wally World still had the exact same orange swirl sponge I used 15yrs ago to damp the crazy overtones.

I got her tuned up (gGCGCD) and gave it a whirl. Very different! No longer a trash can!

A big part is the playing style. Back when I bought it, I played it 1890s fingerstyle. I never attempted clawhammer on it (that was for my clawhammer banjos...). I never thought to tune it to a CH tuning either. I was focused on gCDGBD and simply using the bass C if the music required it. It just wasn't comfortable for me...and I didn't like the sound. Then again, I've gotten hearing aids since then...

I've discovered that I can now play many of my favorite CH tunes in two octaves. Julianne Johnson, Angelina Baker, Rock The Cradle Joe, etc., etc. Just a capo away from being in actual D. Tune the 4th from C to D and I'm in "modal" and there's a whole nuther octave of growl for Cluck Ol Hen and all the others. I think I'll try Pretty Little Dog tonight on the porch (if it ain't too hot).

Some of the tunes simply gain a bassline. Since the 4th and 5th are I and V in this tuning, anything with a measure of ASPO noise now gets a I-V bass accompaniment that just sounds great. Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine sort of breathes deeply with a bassline.

It's taken 15yrs for me to appreciate this banjo. I'm glad I don't sell stuff off!

LOJO#11 Serial number sticker

LOJO

banjo bill-e - Posted - 06/22/2025:  10:32:28

Cool. I pretty much regret selling ever musical instrument that I've ever sold! Playing styles change and choice of music changes and sometimes that thing you had no use for starts looking like exactly what you need.

banjopaolo - Posted - 06/24/2025:  02:17:23

I love big pot instruments, I have an old Weymann 14’ guitar-banjo I play it with standard guitar tuning but I was thinking I could tune it gGDGBD with a spike on the fifth fret of the sixth string…

VIDEO: One John Hartford song and one original tune played on Banjo Guitar
(click to view)

 

Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 06/24/2025:  13:51:44

quote:

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Originally posted by banjopaolo

I love big pot instruments, I have an old Weymann 14’ guitar-banjo I play it with standard guitar tuning but I was thinking I could tune it gGDGBD with a spike on the fifth fret of the sixth string…

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Paolo,

Thank you for posting this wonderful tune. 

Lazing about my house on this a sunny summer afternoon when I chanced upon your musical posting. I was able to close my eyes and let your music carry me away for a few moments. Very enjoyable indeed!