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I just bought what I thought was a regular banjo, but after messing with (never played any instrument before) I realized that the neck was rather short compared to normal banjos. Did some digging around and figured it might be a banjo uke or a short scale and thought I would ask for opinions. The neck is about 16in.
Edited by - LeoToyStory on 01/24/2025 17:07:48
How many strings does it have. A uke only has 4 strings.
Forget about the overall length of the instrument what is important is the scale length which is measured from the front of the nut which is up near the tuners to the back of the bridge which is on the head or bottom. I don't know how you measured the neck but 16" does not work for any ukes. Banjo ukes have the same scale length as any other uke.
Do a search on the net for 'uke scale length' and you will find all kinds of info.
quote:
Originally posted by LeoToyStoryI appreciate the help, I don't know how I'd ever have found the brand without some. From the nut to the 12th fret though really is only about 16-17inches, I can send a picture with a measuring tape later. I might've just been real tired last night when I was measuring it with a 11in piece of paper
Noah is right. It is a tenor banjo by Stromberg-Voisinet of Chicago. Judging by the flange design and the resonator attachment, this one appears to be one of their later models, produced shortly before the company became Kay in 1931. The distance from the nut to the 12th fret should only be about 11" to 11 1/2". 16" to 17" would be about the length of the entire fingerboard.
The fingerboard is sixteen inches long and it has nineteen frets. The twelfth fret is the center of the scale, not the last fret. Measure from the nut to the twelfth fret, then set the bridge the same distance from the fret. The distance from the nut to the 12th fret should be about 11 1/2" which should give you about a 23 inch scale.
I hope that made sense.
Edited by - Culloden on 01/25/2025 12:59:11
quote:
Originally posted by LeoToyStoryI'm sure I'm wrong, I barely understand which parts are which. It is only 4 strings, the 16in I got was just from the area of where you fret, not including down to the bridge from the beginning of the drum
Parts on a banjo
If you could post more pictures, that would be great. The bolt in the center of the resonator will come off and we can see the dowel stick. Also let's see a clear picture of that tailpiece — it's not original to the banjo but many of us will be interested in knowing if it's a Lyon & Healey Kershner or a later reproduction. It may also tell us if it's marked S & V or Kay (same company depending on the year).
It may take a while, but once you figure out how to post photos right on the topic page, it will be easier to get good answers.
Down near the bottom of where you want to post a reply, there's a spot that says ATTACHMENTS
Under which is a green box says PHOTOS
Click on that, then click on BROWSE PHOTOS, select one from your computer, click on it, then give it a title and some comments, if you want, and hit UPLOAD.
It may take a while, but once you figure out how to post photos right on the topic page, it will be easier to get good answers.
Down near the bottom of where you want to post a reply, there's a spot that says ATTACHMENTS
Under which is a green box says PHOTOS
Click on that, then click on BROWSE PHOTOS, select one from your computer, click on it, then give it a title and some comments, if you want, and hit UPLOAD.
It may take a while, but once you figure out how to post photos right on the topic page, it will be easier to get good answers.
Down near the bottom of where you want to post a reply, there's a spot that says ATTACHMENTS
Under which is a green box says PHOTOS
Click on that, then click on BROWSE PHOTOS, select one from your computer, click on it, then give it a title and some comments, if you want, and hit UPLOAD.