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/407163
Sur - Posted - 02/02/2026: 13:05:55
Howdy! This is my first time using BHO so my replies might be a little slow; sorry in advance.
I currently have a modern longneck banjo (AC-1 Goldtone to be exact) and am considering buying a minstrel banjo. However, I don’t wish to buy the minstrel banjo if it will largely leave my longneck banjo obsolete in terms of what it can do that the LN can’t and vise versa. I wouldn’t want to swap my longneck steel strings for nylon (1 because I can’t be bothered to go through the restringing process, and 2 because I haven’t found any nylon/nygut strings which are long enough for the LN. I know both the LN and minstrel banjos are lower in pitch than standard banjos, but is the LN’s lower timbre similar enough to the minstrel where it wouldn’t be a huge difference?
Sorry for the word jumble-if you’d like me to clarify anything feel free to ask and I’ll try my best to answer.
Thanks!
pinenut - Posted - 02/02/2026: 13:22:38
Please define "minstrel banjo".
Sur - Posted - 02/02/2026: 14:03:18
A fretless nylon/nygut banjo similar to the one Rhiannon Giddens uses (if that name rings a bell).
Edited by - Sur on 02/02/2026 14:03:49
Mickhammer - Posted - 02/02/2026: 14:11:42
Seems to me a longneck is just a normal banjo with a couple of extra frets. This allows you to play a bit lower while maintaining similar string tension.
The 'minstrel' banjo I've seen Ms. Giddens play is a different animal. The strings are tuned low and they're meant to feel and sound flabby.
Is there an issue with having two instruments?
Edited by - Mickhammer on 02/02/2026 14:12:07
pinenut - Posted - 02/02/2026: 14:18:58
Find an opportunity to play any nylon/gut strung banjo. They can be tuned up to standard G or C and down to whatever, depending on what the string diameter will support and are in a tone category separate from steel strung banjos.
Depending on availability, the brass/formica partial or full fingerboard is worth considering; the harder surfaces give better clarity.
In short; a nylon strung banjo is not in competition with your long neck, other than for play time.
Edited by - pinenut on 02/02/2026 14:27:52
Sur - Posted - 02/02/2026: 14:19:44
No issue at all! I just was uncertain if it was worth the money if there wasn’t too many differences between the two banjo types, seeing as minstrel banjos aren’t exactly the most cost effective banjos you’ll find lol.
tdennis - Posted - 02/02/2026: 16:10:43
My understanding is that an early Minstrel banjo had a large head (12,13,14"), & a long scale (28"+). It seems that a modern long neck w/ an 11" head would be a very different voice, response & feel.
Edited by - tdennis on 02/02/2026 16:26:06
Lew H - Posted - 02/02/2026: 16:25:34
The standard long neck has 3 added frets, making it tuned to A, rather than G uncapoed. Or double A rather than double C without capo. I'm not sure what minstrel banjos are tuned to but it is lower than that.
You won't get the minstrel banjo tone by putting nylon string on your longneck. That tone is produced by a typically larger diameter rim and a skin head that is looser than your plastic head.
35planar - Posted - 02/02/2026: 17:52:48
Totally different sounds...Minstrel banjos are typically: fretless, have hide heads, larger pots, and use gut, nylgut, or nylon strings. Long neck banjos are typically: fretted, used for singing slightly lower range. That said, anything goes. This is the year 2026. You can put a hide head, or a Remo fiberskyn head and Aquilla Nylgut or LaBella 17's (either the new 19's, or Joel Hooks' 17's) on your gold tone long neck. The previous person's right--it ain't gonna sound exactly like a minstrel banjo, but for $30 you could see if you like the sound enough to want to eventually get a minstrel/tack head/gourd banjo for that Rhiannon Giddens sound.
mikehalloran - Posted - 02/02/2026: 18:48:39
quote:
Originally posted by Lew H
The standard long neck has 3 added frets, making it tuned to A, rather than G uncapoed. Or double A rather than double C without capo. I'm not sure what minstrel banjos are tuned to but it is lower than that.
You won't get the minstrel banjo tone by putting nylon string on your longneck. That tone is produced by a typically larger diameter rim and a skin head that is looser than your plastic head.
An un-capo'd long neck tuned to G at the 3rd fret is E when open. It's C tuning at the 3rd becomes A — love the sound of that and use it often.
The Vega Excel (there were many spellings) has the 5th string at the 9th fret instead of the 8th so that Alex Hasseliv of The Limeliters could play C tuning in F capo'd at the 8th fret. This was eleven years before the Shubb capo made capo'ing a banjo possible at the same fret as the 5th tuning peg. (Yes, Erik Darling had done it years earlier for a different reason but it was Alex who ordered the first Excell.). I got to play that banjo in 1991 when my band opened for them at the San Mateo County Fair—I asked him to bring it and he obliged. At least one Vega SS-5 Folklore was made the same way and sold by Mandolin Bros. in the 1990s.
Mickhammer - Posted - 02/02/2026: 22:41:29
My shoulder takes issue with long neck banjos. It already complains when I'm playing a standard banjo.
Joel Hooks - Posted - 02/03/2026: 05:34:38
Welcome to the Hangout!
While we understand what you mean, "minstrel banjo" is a meaningless term. The banjo in all forms has been featured in minstrelsy including plectrum and tenor banjos. Any banjo, or hybrid instrument with banjo style body, used on the minstrel stage, is a "minstrel banjo".
Since minstrelsy continued well into the 1970s, perhaps there is a "minstrel electric guitar" or "minstrel accordion"?
RG plays Jim Hartel's version of a Levi Brown banjo, and for $4000+ he will build one for you.
Between sometime before the American Civil War and the mid 1880s, the banjo was pitched in A. When dealing with pre "old time", I avoid using the word "tuning" as it can be confusing due to the use of scordatura.
The "tuning" was the same as gCGBD, just lower. And somehow this was managed without "long neck" banjos. The 4th string was used to name the pitch. So "A" was eAEG#B. This is three half steps (or "frets") lower than standard.
jethrobodine - Posted - 02/03/2026: 11:59:46
Some on here should lighten up a bit, maybe look in to adderall or something similar.
pinenut - Posted - 02/03/2026: 12:32:29
quote:
Originally posted by jethrobodine
Some on here should lighten up a bit, maybe look in to adderall or something similar.
Come-on Jethro, it's time to settle down and do your homework. Don't mind that Eddie is giving Beaver 'the business' 
. This weeks lesson is about banjo tunings and history. There is something there for everyone.
And, nobody else took the time to give the OP specifics to the banjo he has in mind... minstrelbanjo.com/LBrownindex.html yum!
Edited by - pinenut on 02/03/2026 12:35:45
dbrooks - Posted - 02/03/2026: 14:26:08
I own a Vega longneck (since 1969), a fretless tackhead, and minstrel reproduction. To me, they are all very different banjos. The Vega has a brighter sound and is very versatile in many keys to accompany singing. The fretless banjos have a tubbier, softer sound with the Nylgut strings. These banjos have more of an old time sound. They are less adaptable to multiple keys compared with the longneck.
BTW my main player is a Bart Reiter which fits well in a string band setting for contra dances.
David
