Subject: Guitar Neck Banjo
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 21:46:56 -0600

Mickey,

Greetings Dave,

I'm glad to assist if I can:

Hello and I am writing this in hopes of learning more about an instrument that belonged to a relative who died decades ago. I have been told it is a 6-string guitar neck banjo. The 6 strings go the full length of the neck. The back is open and on a board inside the banjo it says "Made by the Vega Company, Boston, MA." To the best I can tell, Patent #s include: Dec, 30, 1890, Jan. 19, 1893, and July 2, 1909.

It has 19 frets and appears to have been strung for a left-handed player. I'm left-handed as well. I called my dad to gather information about this instrument as it belonged to either my grandfather or his brother and was possibly used in their "hillbilly band" in Las Vegas, NV. At the time of this writing, my dad had not returned my call. Basically, I'm anxious to learn more about this instrument and what types of music it is most suited for. FYI - I'm NOT a musician, but I would like to learn how to play this instrument.

Yes, this would be a Guitar-Banjo (called a banjitar) made by Vega. Vega mostly made 5-strings...the 6-string Vega is more rare. Not in much demand though...just the same, I myself play 6-string banjo and even put out, what we know as the only, instructional video on how to play one at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page645.htm

These can be quite fun to learn...you can make them sound like a 5-string to some degree...see our free online lessons at:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3.htm

It sounds like you would be carrying on the torch if you pursued learning the 6-string. And, it would be really cool if you could acquire more info on your dad's banjo along with the history of the Vegas hillbilly band he played in...such as what casinos did they play in? Or, if they backed up any other major acts? etc.

Hope something here helps, Mickey

Subject: Re: Fwd: Guitar Neck Banjo
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 14:52:43 -0600

Mickey,

Greetings Dave,

Thanks for responding to my inquiry. Regarding the hillbilly band, I know the following:

My grandpa and grandma moved to Las Vegas in the early 20s. They were both very musically-inclined and they formed a group, with my grandpa's brothers, to play in the annual Helldorado Days parade. Basically, they would hoist my grandma's piano onto a flatbed wagon and climb on board with their instruments and play as horses pulled the wagon along the parade route.  I am not sure if they played in the casinos as well, but Vegas was such a small town in those days, so I bet their band performed more often than just for the parade. I'll pester my dad for more info. and possible photographs.

This is great info...and it really should be documented. We have a large readership interested in acoustic music...along with how it arose historically in different regions...such as Las Vegas. If you want to pursue this further, I would be more than thrilled to build a page dedicated to your grandparents and how they pursued acoustic music in Vegas...if you find some pictures, even better!

The banjitar (thanks for telling me what it's called) I mentioned came in a unique double travel case that appears to accommodate the banjitar as well as a banjo. Also, further investigation shows the banjitar's Serial Number as 65017. Does this give any clues as to its age?

Yes, Vega's serialization denotes the date of manufacturing. I'd venture to say that your vega was made between 1915-1925. There's a possibility that different serial numbers were used on the 6-string over the 5-string...however, I believe that we're on track with this estimation. It also ties in with your grandparents career from the '20s on...

This date is a fair estimation and is based on consecutive serial number histories. However, unless your banjo is taken in physically, for a vintage dealer to assess, you cannot truly determine its age...I'm 95% sure though...

I look forward to any of your future research...

Hope this helps, Mickey

Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 10:34:29 EST
Subject: Mickey--6 string banjo's

Mickey

Greetings,

I have a band called The Yard Dogs playing Cajun influenced blues/rock and we have been together for about two years. (not plugging us..just giving you a rambling background) We had been together about 6 months with me on acoustic steel string guitar plus an accordion player and rhumba box player when I bought a Deering B-6 Banjo.

Wow! That's a great name! Not far off from the Yardbirds...

(A rhumba box is a Jamaican box bass) We released our debut cd with me playing the guitar and used the banjo on two songs. After recording the cd, we began to use the banjo more and more. For the last 6 months I have been using the Deering exclusively.

I believe the banjitar will give your band your own voice...it's great to hear that you're employing it even more...

It's not a guitar or a banjo. Since we can't afford percussion I have found a unique way of playing my banjo. I boost my treble a little, flatpick the rhythm and blunt my strings a little for percussive effect. Its an amazing instrument and has its own strengths when compared to 4 or 5 string banjo or a guitar. 

I agree wholeheartedly...and love my Deering D-6...I've found that many of the songs I've played on guitar have a completely different aura to them on the D-6...

My B-6 Deering had to be customized with a Fishman pickup. I have decided I need a back up 6 string banjo as when my banjo breaks a string, I no longer want to have to pick up my guitar. I want it to have a built in mic, onboard volume control, and an onboard EQ would be nice. You know, I want my 6 string banjo to have all the stuff my Takamine acoustic/electric guitar has. Is there anything out there besides Goldtones GT 750? How do you like the GT 750 when amplified? 

I'm not too sure about anything factory installed...I know we've customized electronics to fit individual players...and, I'm sure we can do the same for you...I like the GT-750 amplified...it comes across very well...I especially like the clear head which seems to bring out crystal clear highs...if interested in a customized set-up, be sure to call Nathan, our electronics specialist, about what would be involved...he can be reached toll free @ 888-209-8434...Mickey

By the way, nice website and I'll be back often
Kip Lawrence
The Yard Dogs

Subject: 6 string banjo as "normal" banjo
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 19:30:10 +0000

Greetings,

Glad to assist:

First, compliments on a great site. Not much information on the 6 string banjo out there on the internet, it seems, so it's great that you're site is there to help those of us alone in the wilderness.

I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. My wife just bought me a 6 string banjo as a gift. The advice she got was the same I got when I first started talking about getting a banjo, namely that I could put my guitar skills to work much faster with a 6 string banjo tuned to EADGBE than to a traditional 5 string banjo. I also don't want to split up my precious practice time on two different instruments at this time, so the 6 string seems like a good idea for me.

I've never played a banjo before, and I know pretty much nothing about the technique beyond what one would know/infer from playing fingerstyle guitar.

My question is this: can I use this banjo in the "traditional" way?

In some ways yes...in most way no...To do this would require, at the very least detuning the high E to D...in this way, at the very least, you'll have 4 strings that correlate to the 5-string banjo...you'll only be missing the 5th string high G drone. Now, after detuning, then you'll want to learn some standard banjo rolls...kick-offs and endings...along with some charateristic cliche banjo licks. Upon doing this, you'll have emulated a banjo to enough degree that it would take a discerning ear to tell the difference. There are some tricks to emulating banjo licks on a 6-string that work very well beyond the above...

Assuming I want to play some music written for a traditional banjo, can I tune my 6 string for it?

Yes...to some degree...however, you can only correlate the bottom 4 strings...you will not have the 5th string drone to fall back on...therefore, you'll have to do some adaptation...

What do I do with the unused string? Which string would be unused?

The bass end would have to be avoided altogether. That would include both the E and A strings. Once you play these strings, it will be a complete giveaway that you're adapting 5-string to a 6-string format.

What are the implications of having the fifth string extending all the way to the nut rather than being anchored a few frets up?

I've never tried this...so, I'm not sure how it would work. I suspect you can install HO spikes at the 5th fret and replace the A bass with a 9 gauge string...and then tune it just like a banjo...and then, essentially have a 5-string banjo. However, if you're going through this much trouble, why not purchase a 5-string banjo?


As I'm sure my question indicates, I really have no idea what I'm in for here. But I'm ready to get started nevertheless!

We do have a road map: "Intro to the 6-String Banjo":
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2296.htm

Best of luck to you in your research efforts, Mickey


Thanks for any help you can give.

-- J

Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 20:36:17 +0100
Subject: information

Hello from France

I could be interested by a 6 strings banjo.
I play mississipi blues guitar (picking) and want a blue tone for the banjo (I like the sound in a piece of tom Waits called "gun street girl" in rain dogs record but maybe you don't know that one ).
Can you help me for a good quality choice banjo with a nice sound (not especially loud).
And can you give me the price of the shipping to France (with global express? )
the cheapest expensive shipping but with insurance.

Eric from Nancy (town)

Thanks a lot

Greetings Eric,

Glad to assist if I can:

Yes, I'm also into blues guitar from the Mississippi Delta...I love fingerstyle Country Blues such as the many arrangements recorded by Stefan Grossman...and, I also play lots of 6-string banjo...in fact, I authored the video: "Intro to the 6 & 12-String Banjo" video...which contains a demonstration of fingerstyle blues on 6-string banjo...I've found that the 6-string banjo lends itself very well to fingerstyle blues.

An economical choice, for a 6-string banjo, would be a Gold Tone or a Morgan Monroe...Mickey

Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 17:14:19 -0500

Mickey.

Greetings Michael,

I'd be glad to assist...

I'm a long time guitar picker who just got his first 6 string banjo (banjar??). Reading around the wed there sure seems to be a lot of elitism in the pickin' community. Is there a site where we weird ones (6 sting banjo pickers) can get together and encourage one another.

I've consider putting together a bulletin board...however, it may still be awhile. Please stay tuned on our website.

It's already obvious to me that playing the banjar takes a whole new way of thinking about the music and I'd really like to get some input and guidance on how to make the most of this instrument. Any guidance will be much appreciated.

I believe the 6-string banjo is an untapped medium...and, is relatively unknown amongst guitarists and banjoists. Please stay with it in spite of the little support...we need more 6-string banjoists in the world...interestingly, the 6-string banjo has been around for around a century...and, yet, it's still considered an obscure intrument...I, personally, love my Deering 6-string...and, even completed an entire video dedicated to the art of 6-string banjo...

Please stay in touch on your progress, Mickey

Michael Sanders

Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 17:32:15 EDT
Subject: 6 String Banjo

Absolutely love your video! Harvey Reed's intro to the 6 & 12 String Banjo is good also. (I have a Deering B6) Is there anywhere to get some sheet music, books or tablature music that would sound great on the 6 string Banjo. Been playing 12 string guitar for years (flat picking and rhythm) and really would like to do a couple of good numbers for variety at performances. A good version of Foggy Mountain Breakdown would be great.

Rob

Greetings Rob,

Thanks for the kind words...I've been looking forward to getting Harvey's CD for quite awhile...he seems to be the foremost exponent of the 6-string banjo...

As far as sheet music for 6-string banjo, you could try a couple of things:

1. Try tuning to the open G tuning illustrated in my video...and, find a banjo tab on "Foggy Mt. Breakdown". You'll only need to omit the 5th string references (or, apply the 5th string point of reference on the tab to the bass open G tuning on the A string)...you should find that the arrangement should fit relatively well...

2. Another suggestion: Consider finding tabs and music on open tunings...which, in my opinion, fits exceptionally well on the 6-string banjo...celtic tunings, Kottke tunings, John Fahey style, etc.

3. For flatpicking: pick up any books written by Steve Kaufman...I believe flatpicking bluegrass styles work well on a 6-string...especially since it doesn't require much sustain...

Let me know if you discover anything else that works well on your 6-string...

Keep on pickin', Mickey

Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 15:43:57 -0600
Subject: Re: Guitar-Banjo

I'm looking for information on a guitar-banjo that may be called a "Banjitar"
Can you give me any help on this or direct me to where I can?
Any help would greatly be appreciated


Hello William,

We carry six string banjo models, also referred to as 'banjitars'.
The lines we carry are the Gold Tone (import) and Deering (American
made) lines of banjitars.

You can get more information, images, and downloadable videos of the
models by going here:

<http://www.folkofthewood.com/page674.htm>http://www.folkofthewood.com/page674.htm

You can find Deering's models under the Deering column (3 links: 6
and 12 string banjos, Deering B-6, and Deering D-6 - the D-6 model is
the nicest available).

You can find the Gold Tone models under the Gold Tone heading "6 and
12 string models" (there are four links to six string models and one
link to a 12 string model GT-1200). The CC-BANJITAR model is the
least expensive banjitar we carry.

Also be sure to check out the recently released video "An
Introduction to the 6- and 12-String Banjo" - just go here:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2296.htm

Please let us know if you need more information...

Thanks!!

Date: Wed, 04 Sep 2002 13:12:43 -0400
Subject: Re: six string banjos...

Hi,

Thank you for responding.

Yes, we sell quite a few 6 string "banjitars" to guitar players who want that banjo sound (without having to learn the 5-string banjo).

Six string banjos are tuned to guitar EADGBE tuning - therefore, they would need the 'guitar' scale length. Twenty inches would put the instrument into the 'tenor 4-string banjo' scale length. None of the manufacturers we represent make a 6-string banjo model with that scale length - sorry.

I was looking for something to tune ADGCEA or AEADEA. What about the cumbus banjos that are made in Turkey. Would they fit the bill?

John

Greetings John,

I've never seen a Cumbus banjo...and, therefore, cannot pass judgment. I have played 6-string banjo in open tuning...and found the instrument lends itself well to open G and open D tunings. I'm not too sure about your tunings above...

Hope this helps, Mickey


The six string models we carry are Deering and Gold Tone.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance...

Thanks!!

Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001 14:45:48 EDT
Subject: Banjitars & Sheet Music

Mickey

Just ran across your website today. WOW! The things I've learned. I am an
acoustic guitar player (12-String) who has had only 6 or 7 lessons (30 years
ago), but with a better than average ear I can readily play a song after
listening to it for a very few times. However, in my guitar playing, I've
longed for a fuller, more complete sound, so I've "filled-in" the gaps in the
melody with what I've now learned are slide notes, hammer-on notes, pull
offs, and bass runs as well as background riffs filled in.

I now am wanting to learn to read and understand staff-scale music and
tablature for guitar to progress my ability. I want to play in front of
crowds...maybe even for some pay. I read about the crosspicking technique and
the forthcoming manual from Mel Bay on you site and wonder when it will be
available. I believe that this method will work quite nicely with a Custom
12-string Gold Tone Banjitar (I really don't want to learn another instument)
for bluegrass. I'm now working through a couple of introductory manuals to
bluegrass guitar playing (one is the Mel Bay beginner bluegrass guitar book)
and need your recommendations for printed resources on:

1. Learning to read staff-scale and tablature.

Any traditional music fundamental book will work well for learning to read staff-scale (standard notation). I once studied music theory on a college level and still have the original text books that went with the courses. I've learned many aspects of music theory such as parallel notes, cadences, chord structure, harmony, and so on...all of these facets are contributory to becoming a well-rounded musician no matter what style of music you're interested in. So, you're most definitely on the right track in wanting to learn to read standard notation and the theory it encompasses.

Now, for tablature, it's a different story. Although tablature is one of the oldest forms of written music (originally written for lute and piano), today it's considered more contemporary than standard notation. Because of this, it's a little more difficult to find any theory books that dedicate themselves to learning how to read tablature...and, there's more liberty for the writer to create original symbols that may only relate to an individual book of tab. This means there currently is not a universal standard for tablature as there is for standard notation. Both the "Guitar Crosspicking Technique" and "Mandolin Crosspicking Technique" books cover how to read tablature extensively. These are available on the Folk of the Wood website. I believe tablature is a more efficient form of writing music for string instruments. Mainly, because there are many points on a fretboard where the same note can occur; this leaves you with a guessing game when reading standard notation, whereas, when reading tablature, you know the exact fingering position with a one-time read.

2. Other beginner resources for bluegrass guitar styles.

Following is a great resource: http://www.bluegrassguitar.com/learning.htm

3. When is the Mel Bay crosspicking technique manual available.

It's scheduled to print this month and should be distributed by July sometime. You can order the book now for delivery as soon as it's released.

Here's the exact page where you can place your order:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page645.htm

4. Where can I find a good selection of bluegrass music with both the
staff-scale and tablature with all lyrics (most I've seen are only one or two
verses - seldom complete).

There are two writers that come to mind:
Steve Kaufman & Peter Wernick...both have written books on traditional bluegrass which included lyrics, tab, etc. Try melbay.com for further potential titles. If you find a book of interest, you mail order through Folk of the Wood for an added 20% discount.


Thanks for your help in this matter...it is appreciated more than you realize.

Big John


You're most welcome...Mickey