Banjo Hangout Logo
Banjo Hangout Logo

Premier Sponsors

488
Banjo Lovers Online


Jan 24, 2025 - 5:05:49 PM
likes this
3 posts since 1/24/2025

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

Jan 24, 2025 - 5:36:33 PM
like this

540 posts since 2/11/2009

It's a tenor banjo built by Stromberg-Voisinet, most likely 1920s. The scale length - twice the distance from the nut to the 12th fret - should be something like 23".

Jan 25, 2025 - 6:29:32 AM

3 posts since 1/24/2025

I 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

Jan 25, 2025 - 6:33:29 AM
Players Union Member

wizofos

USA

6422 posts since 8/19/2012

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.

Jan 25, 2025 - 8:08:59 AM
like this

6173 posts since 5/29/2011

quote:
Originally posted by LeoToyStory

I 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.

Jan 25, 2025 - 8:31:43 AM

3 posts since 1/24/2025

I'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

Jan 25, 2025 - 12:48:21 PM
likes this

6173 posts since 5/29/2011

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

Jan 25, 2025 - 3:34:24 PM
like this
Players Union Member

RioStat

USA

6437 posts since 10/12/2009

quote:
Originally posted by LeoToyStory

I'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


 

Feb 2, 2025 - 8:45:09 PM

13302 posts since 10/27/2006

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).

Feb 3, 2025 - 6:47:03 AM

62879 posts since 12/14/2005

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.

Feb 3, 2025 - 6:48:11 AM

62879 posts since 12/14/2005

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.

Feb 3, 2025 - 6:49:55 AM

62879 posts since 12/14/2005

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.

Feb 15, 2025 - 3:19:47 PM

62879 posts since 12/14/2005

"Holy crap, Batman! This cave has one MOTHERKISSER of an ECHO!"

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent
Copyright 2025 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.





Hangout Network Help

View All Topics  |  View Categories

0.171875