Lately I've been thinking that it would be great to have a travel-sized tenor banjo. It occurred to me that you could make a roughly mandolin-scale banjo, tuned an octave higher than tenor, perhaps with a 9" or 10" pot (and yes, I know banjolins exist, that's not what I mean). Has anyone made/commissioned an instrument like this? Modifying a banjo uke might be another option but I think most are not solidly built enough to handle steel strings.
I think you are looking for what is known as a melody or tango banjo. four strings, mandolin scale length, tuned as a mandolin (although I suppose it could be tuned CGDA or other tunings).
Here is one (I have no connection to this seller although I did email the seller about a month ago but never received a reply.):
jakesmainstreetmusic.com/produ...5xV3ETiZA
Ken
That seems to fit the bill! (although personally I'd rather do without the fingerboard extension). I will keep an eye out for these vintage instruments going forward.
Another question: does anyone in the ITM world actually play these (beyond use as a travel/practice instrument)?
Travel tenor banjo, Regular GDAE tuning, Full 23” scale fits neatly into a mandola softbag, Virtually unbreakable because there’s no headstock to weaken the neck, weights 7lb with a bamboo tone ring. I always try to check it in. Once the airline refused me check in so it just carried it in and put it in the overhead. No big deal.
What is your objection to a mandolin banjo? They can be strung with 4 steel strings as you want, have a short scale length, & many come with a 10" +- head. Prices on these orphan instruments are very affordable.
30yrs ago, I routinely flew with a standard Tenor (Paramount Style A). Now I'm not sure what size might fit the carry-on limits. A headless MB strung with 4 might fill the bill.
I'd see if I could find a viable string set (5ths tuning) for a banjo uke.
What is a headless MB ?
I assume he means ‘mini banjo’.
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