 | Leslie R says:
12/3/2014 3:18:20 PM
If anyone would know, it would be you. I am a fan of yours. I have watched a number of your videos on youtube. You use a lot of various tunings. That's awesome. I pretty much use G D B G D and G, or that same progression in another key. You can view that in one of two ways, G tuning with a high G added on string 1, or open D tuning, with an A added on string 5. Both the same. Whatever you call it, when I stumbled on to this, somehow, neurologically, it just fell into place. I did see you use this progression on one song, on youtube. I don't recall which tune it was. That video had 2 tunes on it, only one of those used that tuning.
I have a custom GoldTone somewhat similar, in principle to the one you are holding. It is a 12 string, mounted on a 14 inch rim. I have installed a pie plate resonator on it, it's a wonderfull instrument. I am honored you are a member here.
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 | Bonaparte says:
12/3/2014 3:38:30 PM
My 2 cents, the 5+1 is fantastic for clawhammer as well. I use mine in Standard G, or in D a la Reubens with the extra low string tuned in A. I do a couple of other tunings including the deadman. 5+1 opened up sp many possibilities both in bluegrass and in clawhammer playing.I would go crazy if I didn't have one anymore. I have an Iida which apparently dates from around 1978, resonator and flange with the original drone rail capo. Considering changing the tuners for Keith D tuners. Happy picking.
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| Leslie R says:
12/3/2014 5:32:48 PM
I'll add more. There is more to this than simply finding a method of tuning that somehow made sense. All other types of banjos, have been refined over the years to the point it's pretty much understood how best to set them up, best applicable scale lengths, string sizes, bridge weights and heights, and so on. It's easy to find readily available parts, accessories, and especially complete banjos.
Adding that 6th string the way we do is not new, but it has not been popular for many decades now. I have come to believe, that 6th string has unexplored potential. It does produce a fuller sound. Most of the banjos I have purchased, were Bluegrass banjos. I am now a believer in a 12 inch rim, or a 14 inch rim. I have been experimenting with my own bridges to see what can be done. The currently available bridges do not come close to bringing out what your banjo has in it. I'm stating that as a fact. You might be in disbelief if you went with a beefed up bridge. Mine are ugly as sin, though I could make them pretty if I wanted. So far, I have tried solid walnut and black locust. No ebony top. To date, there is no trace of steel strings digging into the wood. Maybe the extra width helps.
I was tuning to G, but I backed off a mite, and tune to open F. I thought G might be putting too much stress on the instrument, and choking the sound. F is sounding better.
I am now interested in the 12 inch rims a lot, but I only have one. It is the 1925 Vega, I am holding in the photo.
Last night, I bought a Stromberg Cuppophone, which is 11.5 inches I believe. I will put a 6 string neck on it when it arrives.
Have a good evening.
Leslie
I have used guitar banjos or guitar banjo necks, simply b/c they are readily available. They have worked fine, though I would like to have a traditional 5 string style neck.
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