rkdjones - Posted - 04/01/2026:  09:01:52

I play clawhammer 5-string banjo (Goldtone AC12 A-scale) , tenor banjo in reentrant tuning, and baritone ukulele tuned open G. I started playing in a bluegrass jam session and find the tenor banjo easiest to play. I will switch back and forth between clawhammer and strumming with my fingernails. The jam session moves from one key to another as we go around the circle. I found retuning a banjo, or even capoing a banjo, is impractical in a jam session. So the 4-string is handy in that I can play in whatever key the singer uses. dGBd tuning allows me to play clawhammer rhythmically but the limited range is not optimal for playing melodic clawhammer.

I've been thinking about a 5-string banjo where the 5th string runs all the way to the nut at the peg head. It has been done before. One capo would raise the pitch of all strings, and would eliminate the need for a 5th string capo or spike. Goldtone sells the AC-6 mini. I'm wondering if I could remove one of the bass strings to make a 5 string in reentrant tuning to play clawhammer. I would probably tune it to open G. The neck is much wider than a 5-string banjo which is my concern. Thoughts?

RB3 - Posted - 04/01/2026:  10:40:35

Thoughts?

If you have a desire to participate in Bluegrass jam sessions, and you want to play a banjo, I think that you should play a 5-string banjo, using finger picks.

pinenut - Posted - 04/01/2026:  10:49:28

quote:

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Originally posted by rkdjones

I play clawhammer 5-string banjo (Goldtone AC12 A-scale) , tenor banjo in reentrant tuning, and baritone ukulele tuned open G. I started playing in a bluegrass jam session and find the tenor banjo easiest to play. I will switch back and forth between clawhammer and strumming with my fingernails. The jam session moves from one key to another as we go around the circle. I found retuning a banjo, or even capoing a banjo, is impractical in a jam session. So the 4-string is handy in that I can play in whatever key the singer uses. dGBd tuning allows me to play clawhammer rhythmically but the limited range is not optimal for playing melodic clawhammer. 

It's time to stop worrying and learn to love the regular banjo.

I've been thinking about a 5-string banjo where the 5th string runs all the way to the nut at the peg head. It has been done before. One capo would raise the pitch of all strings, and would eliminate the need for a 5th string capo or spike. Goldtone sells the AC-6 mini (22-3/4" scale, goldtonemusicgroup.com).  I'm wondering if I could remove one of the bass strings to make a 5 string in reentrant tuning to play clawhammer. I would probably tune it to open G. The neck is much wider than a 5-string banjo which is my concern. Thoughts?  A short scale instrument is not made for lower tunings.  Find a typical guitar banjo; change the nut and tailpiece.

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Edited by - pinenut on 04/01/2026 10:52:11

rkdjones - Posted - 04/01/2026:  11:31:53

Thanks for your thoughts.

In the way of clarification, I like a short scale. About 22" is ideal for me. One size does not fit all.

I don't play Scruggs style and have no desire to adopt that style of playing. I just don't like it as much as clawhammer. I picked up different strumming styles playing the ukulele, and find that they can provide some interesting backing for the melodic lead.

I like bluegrass because of the songs, but it does mean a lot of key changes. The jam session hosted by Jason at Copperworks Distillery is a gem.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/01/2026:  14:19:03

As one of our members often says: it's your banjo, play it your way.

We used to have unconventional instruments come to our jams. We had a harmonica, an autoharp, one person came with a saxophone! It all worked out just fine. Goes to show that about any instrument can play with any other and sound okay.

Me? I much prefer my 5-string 3-finger Scruggs type banjo for jammin', but have been known to bring my guitar and even play the mandolin a couple of times. It's sometimes fun to change it around.

Old Hickory - Posted - 04/01/2026:  14:22:03

Having strung up an electric guitar with a high sixth string and extra bass string below the D 4th, I can say my own experiece was difficulty adjusting to the wider neck and extra string. I played it at one gig, in my senior year of college, over 50 years ago.

Do whatever you want.

As to whether you can jam with it, that may depend on how open the other jammers are non-standard instruments played in non-standard ways. If the "bluegrass" jam you attend is already accepting of you playing clawhammer style on a retuned tenor, then I guess the modified instrument you're describing will be acceptable to them, too.

cevant - Posted - 04/01/2026:  17:38:53

Someone once told me…” Sacred cows make the best cheeseburgers.”

Dean T - Posted - 04/01/2026:  18:37:38

quote:

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Originally posted by rkdjones

I've been thinking about a 5-string banjo where the 5th string runs all the way to the nut at the peg head. It has been done before. One capo would raise the pitch of all strings, and would eliminate the need for a 5th string capo or spike. Goldtone sells the AC-6 mini. I'm wondering if I could remove one of the bass strings to make a 5 string in reentrant tuning to play clawhammer. I would probably tune it to open G. The neck is much wider than a 5-string banjo which is my concern. Thoughts?

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I don't know anything about a mini banjo, I've done it twice with full sized banjos, early in my banjo journey. The first time was a full size Gold Tone 6 string banjo. I just changed the tailpiece and bridge. I ran the 5th string through the 6th slot in the nut. I liked string gap, and the set up worked perfect. But... the fat neck killed my ability to do thumbovers, which is something I love about a standard banjo. I gigged with it for awhile, but couldn't get comfortable with the fat neck. 



The second try was a custom made 5 string full length neck, put on a Helix open back pot. Again, it worked perfect. But again, it just wasn't as care free and comfortable to play as my traditional banjo. I gigged with this one too, but was making stupid mistakes on thumbovers and fretting the 5th string, because it fretted different than a traditional 5th string. To do it over, I would have just used a high d string for the 5th, and spiked it in the normal places. 

After a couple years of experimenting, I gave up. Mainly because every time I picked up my traditional banjo, it felt right and comfortable and correct. Now, my personal strategy is to use movable chords all over the neck, so that I can play any key out of open G tuning, and spike the 5th string traditionally per key. You get good at it. I can be re-spiked and ready for the next tune, before our singer can introduce the song. 

 

I'd say try it. Experimenting is fun, and you just might be the one to make it work for you. I can tell you that some folks might try to tell you that the the full length 5th string will break, if you try to tune it up to g. That's not true, it works just fine. In fact my Telecaster has been tuned like a banjo with a full length 5th string, for years. I use it for super quiet practice.

Edited by - Dean T on 04/01/2026 18:47:06

Full length 5th string

 

rkdjones - Posted - 04/01/2026:  20:28:23

I suppose it is not worth the effort. I'm a tinkerer by nature so am always intrigued by the novel.

Judging from the comments I would guess that bluegrass jam sessions can be selective about the instruments they admit. In truth I have resisted bringing a ukulele; I just thought that would be pushing it. The jam host brings an octave mandolin, so he is already breaking with tradition.

pinenut - Posted - 04/01/2026:  21:18:16

quote:

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Originally posted by rkdjones

Judging from the comments I would guess that bluegrass jam sessions can be selective about the instruments they admit.  I dunno about that; the flute at our jam is great and easier to follow/support than a fiddle.  Brass might be awkward, but, who knows?

In truth I have resisted bringing a ukulele; I just thought that would be pushing it.  nope. The jam host brings an octave mandolin, so he is already breaking with tradition. 

Play what suits you and use it for it's designed role (melody, rhythm/harmony, beat).  Most string instruments are a good to go in the PNW.  Totally, take the uke.

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Edited by - pinenut on 04/01/2026 21:31:32

Capybara - Posted - 04/02/2026:  00:07:05

On the one hand, I will always support spaces where people come with what they like, whatever their level, whoever they are, to make music together.

On the other hand, yes, bluegrass people tend to be traditionalist. I personally have some strong opinions on what makes an instrument 'successful' for bluegrass jams, and what I would /prefer/ to play unless my goal is more toward building community. People have the capacity for both all open and more structured approaches, just at different times.

Point is, if your jam is all ears, that's awesome!

To answer your question--no, the mini wouldn't work well, but taking a guitar banjo and making a new nut shouldn't be all too hard.
Funny enough, I just picked up a banjo made exactly as you describe. I believe it was made by a maker in AZ. I have been meaning to make a post to properly share it and ask for info. The 5th string runs all the way up, and capoing it across is pretty nifty. It allows for some different thumb wrap possibilities (and a higher range!) than a traditional 5. Looks like the maker made a custom, wide, fairly beefy neck for this. Happy to share better pics and info if interested!

Capybara - Posted - 04/02/2026:  00:08:01

Here are two pics from the resellers website. I've yet to have my own photo shoot but will soon enough :P

martyjoe - Posted - 04/02/2026:  03:08:59

I suppose you’re going to have to decerne whether or other players are accepting you or just tolerating you at their jam. A lot of it is more to do with how you’re playing more than what you’re playing. If you keep getting invited back is a good sign. When they change location and keep you out of the loop is bad sign.

earlstanleycrowe - Posted - 04/02/2026:  06:36:42

I think playing a traditional bluegrass instrument (except the guitar) is one sign among many that you’re genuinely interested in the music. Not required, but I’ve rarely encountered a washboard/spoons/flute/oboe/accordion/melodica player at a jam who seemed to be actually interested in bluegrass.

randybartlett - Posted - 04/02/2026:  07:07:16

quote:

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Originally posted by earlstanleycrowe

I think playing a traditional bluegrass instrument (except the guitar) is one sign among many that you’re genuinely interested in the music. Not required, but I’ve rarely encountered a washboard/spoons/flute/oboe/accordion/melodica player at a jam who seemed to be actually interested in bluegrass.

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It is rare. 

Once, a guy came late and sat directly behind me, pulling out some washboard contraption that had small cymbals on it. I tried to smile but inside I was bracing for a bad experience. It turns out that he knew all the songs, had fantastic timing, was tasteful and a wonderful harmony singer. At later jams, he would play guitar. I never asked him if he was trolling us or testing us with that washboard.

He moved away and I still miss him.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 04/02/2026:  08:35:44

Bluegrass is pretty regulated in instrumentation and format, and the practitioners are drawn to the art following that format.

When I was young there was Highlights Magazine that had a great lesson on the back cover called "What's Wrong".

I often wonder why people show up to events with something that obviously does not fit the theme and then get disappointed when it is not accepted.