Topic: six string banjo

[uncle bud]

Can you post a picture of it Andrew? I'd dearly love to see if its the same Swiss made Stambac as mine. I also admire Dix as an artist, hard to take though his paintings are.

Sadly, I can't. Didn't take a picture of the picture (no cameras permitted) and despite some pretty extensive searches online, I can't find it on the internet. The photo was listed as being from a private collection, one would think the family. It was a slothead as I recall, maker unclear, a nickel armrest (flat, not wire style), possibly white tuner buttons, though my memory could be inaccurate. The exhibition itself was wonderful, I thought, the oil-tempera portraits in particular were a pleasure to behold in person. They are luminous. But yes, some of the stuff was difficult subject matter.

Do you have a photo of your Stambac?

[Mr.OMuck]

I'll take one & post it soon.

[CF]

Well I too caught guitjo fever! Went into my local music store today to check out their Telecasters & they had one of those Cripple Creek Gold Tone Banjitars. I played a guitjo years ago & loved it. So picked this thing up & an hour later realized I had to have it! Ran through a bunch of the rags & pop tunes & jazzy stuff I play & it was just tooooooooo fun! As was said in another thread, a little thin-sounding maybe (the Gold Tone) but in my price range & probably the most fun I've had playing a stringed instrument in a while.

[Mr.OMuck]

They got that stuff!

[Rivers]

I got bored with mine and sold it, infinitely preferring the sound of a guitar. I got a good price though so they do hold their value.

[CF]

My regular guitar is a Yamaha LL16 & while it's great for Bluegrass rhythm or my singer-songwriter stuff it never had the punch I wanted for the rags & some of the oldtimey stuff I play. This is going to make my solo performances a little more interesting. Ragging with a flat pick on this thing is just so fun, fingerpicks too.

[westside ryan]

I've never played a 6 string banjo before, but I recently picked up a Gold Tone Cripple Creek - Old Time and a Bart Reiter Round Peak which I have been having a lot of fun with.  Maybe too much fun as I haven't touched my guitars in quite a while!  I am really hoping  to learn some Dock Boggs songs in the near future!

[CF]

 . . . internet research shows that these things are maligned by many 5 string Scruggs/clawhammer stylists, hilarious!
I think those of us who finger pick country blues & rags would find a lot of uses for these babies.
Knowing that Papa Charlie Jackson, Django Reinhardt, Rev Gary & Johnny St. Cyr utilized them make them legit in my book.
The misconception is that we're trying to sound like banjoists with these. Not at all! I'm trying to sound like a Banjo-guitarist!

Here's some Charlie Patton fingerpicked on my guitar banjo.

[bnemerov]

hey cheapfoot....
don't forget Sam McGee from sunny Tennessee!
best,
bruce

[uncle bud]

It's a great instrument, and like you say (and Bruce added to) if it's good enough for those guys, and Uncle Dave was happy enough to record with Sam playing one, good enough for me. Anyone says different is a dumbass.

I'd wholeheartedly defend the banjo mandolin as well. Even the banjo uke.

Sounds good. I note the lack of lyrics. 

[frailer24]

Uncle Bud, a very heartfelt thanks for defending my beloved banjo hybrids!

[BottleneckJohn]

I agree with Uncle Bud, the six string banjo is really cool and useful! 
I use my 1931 Levin guitar-banjo both live and on my recordings, good ol' plonky tone, haha!