Author Topic: six string banjo (Read 4040 times)

Norfolk Slim · « **on:** October 19, 2010, 01:59:56 PM »

I acquired one of these little babies today....

(Sorry Phil)

Its cheap and cheerful (made by "Ashbury" whoever they are) but what fabulous fun!

Some Papa Charlie Jackson coming to a back porch near you soon...

harvey · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2010, 02:17:40 PM »

Brilliant ! I have been working on please loan me your heart !

Norfolk Slim · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2010, 02:51:24 PM »

Me too. Vocal is tricky to get out, but when I get it, the back porch will know about it!

Also working on a blake influenced self-arrangement of Your baby aint sweet like mine, and a fairly faithful take on Up the Way Bound...

uncle bud · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2010, 02:55:22 PM »

Six-string banjo, bringer of joy...

Coincidentally, was just listening to Rev. Gary Davis do Devil's Dream on one.

Norfolk Slim · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2010, 03:00:00 PM »

I cant help grinning when I play it, even if the narrow neck does give me wrist cramp!

For UK Weenies, I can recommend the Hobgoblin chain of shops. Absolute Alladin's cave of weird and wonderful instruments (six string banjos included) and that laid back attitude which means you can just pick up and play with whatever takes your fancy.

blueshome · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2010, 03:07:23 PM »

Keep on plonking!

Mr.OMuck · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2010, 03:08:57 PM »

SSBs Rule!

Johnm · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2010, 03:36:24 PM »

Good for you, Slim, they really are fun instruments, and for a fair number of applications, they work as well or better than a guitar. I look forward to hearing what you come up with to play on it.
All best,
Johnm

blueshome · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2010, 12:48:04 AM »

Fun for who? Funny yes.

(Sorry I have my reputation to consider)

Parlor Picker · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2010, 01:24:42 AM »

Simon, "Ashbury" is Hobgoblin's own brand. I used to have an Ashbury tenor ukulele (you saw it last year in the New Forest). The name is a combination of the names of the two blokes who started Hobgoblin, Nigel Thornbury is one and the other escapes me - Ash-something-or-other.

As you can imagine, Phil and I can't wait to hear the newly acquired beast. Did you realise they sound better if played underwater?

Richard · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2010, 10:56:02 AM »

NS you show excellent taste and fortiitude. Where is the nearest Gobblinhob music emporium to you then?

Norfolk Slim · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2010, 12:46:08 PM »

Bristol- near the hippodrome. They have some crazy weird stuff in there. Its bizarre stringed instrument heaven. Every shape and style of mando, uke, bouzouki, dulcimer etc etc. Whole rack of banjos. lots of guitars. Bhodrans(!)

You have to avoid the odd fellows in anoraks buying vintage melodians though.

Richard · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2010, 03:15:29 PM »

Oh....by the kipperdrome, do you mean up the side alley (notice I resisted saying back passage) where the ladies of the night, the nawty shops with rubber goods and magazines all used to be in days of yore

uncle bud · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2010, 08:06:14 AM »

A surprising moment at the end of an Otto Dix exhibition in Montreal. A photograph of Otto with his adult children all playing music together, Otto with a big grin playing six-string banjo. Apparently they liked playing old jazz.

Mr.OMuck · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2010, 01:14:12 PM »

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.

uncle bud · « **Reply #15 on:** November 14, 2010, 07:28:26 PM »

Quote from: Mr.OMuck on November 14, 2010, 01:14:12 PM

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 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2010, 06:04:46 AM »

I'll take one & post it soon.

CF · « **Reply #17 on:** August 22, 2013, 02:28:47 PM »

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 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2013, 06:23:57 PM »

They got that stuff!

Rivers · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2013, 07:18:51 PM »

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 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 23, 2013, 06:59:35 AM »

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 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 23, 2013, 07:27:57 PM »

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 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 26, 2013, 10:57:55 AM »

. . . 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 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 26, 2013, 01:26:24 PM »

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

uncle bud · « **Reply #24 on:** August 26, 2013, 07:44:25 PM »

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 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 27, 2013, 09:07:45 PM »

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

BottleneckJohn · « **Reply #26 on:** December 02, 2013, 12:42:39 PM »

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!

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Author Topic: six string banjo (Read 4040 times)