I was scrolling through Bela's website, and noticed what appears to be a 9-string (5-course) banjo at the bottom of the homepage. Paired strings on all but the high G string. Anyone ever seen or heard of one of these out in the wild? I'd imagine it would be quite challenging to pick through paired strings efficiently at Bluegrass speeds, but I'd be fascinated to know how such an instrument sounds.
https://youtu.be/4ackGHMJiIs?si=UfmUiecZVF-UjhLG This is a video of Marc Horowitz playing a 9 or 10 string banjo that was a prototype at Gold Tone, so I believe Béla owns that banjo??? I'm not sure
Some years ago I had an old friend who used to make banjos out of anything. He has a 5 string where it was all double strings. It sounded.... horrible!
quote:
Originally posted by banjonzSome years ago I had an old friend who used to make banjos out of anything. He has a 5 string where it was all double strings. It sounded.... horrible!
I'm pretty sure that's why Gold Tone discontinued their ten string model. I played one and I would just as soon never see another one.
I tried one at Gold Tone's IBMA trade show booth a bunch of years ago. I don't remember how it sounded.
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