Banjolin Mando-Banjo 8-String Banjo Restoring Properly

Subject: Re: Fwd: About scale length
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2004 20:30:12 +0100

Hello

Thanks a lot for the information, I definitively solved a doubt.

That's good to hear...

The fact is I made a little mess with measurements, and now I find the bridge placed about at leather head's centre. If I had an 8" head, the bridge would have been placed more near to the tailpiece, I suppose. Anyway I understood well the matter concerning the scale. I calculated a longer scale, but that brang me to get a longer fretboard, and no change in bridge's placement! Many banjolin I saw should have had a smaller head, perhaps, or so.

Yes, I agree...however, the sound would have been more trebly...and, it's already a very high-end trebly instrument. For tonal range, I believe a larger banjo head would be ideal on a banjolin. These are in the category of being a novelty instrument. Yesteryear, they were used in different settings and taken far more seriously. Today, they are just fun to have around and experiment on. I would love to see a CD come out with nothing but banjolin playing throughout...maybe even playing a variety of contemporary and traditional tunes.

I'm not an instrument builder, but I know something about woodworking, I like to experiment and have fun in instruments making. My banjolin would rather be "a drum with handle", I also hope pleasant to hear and play, and as "right" as possible.
On the other hand, I don't pretend too much from my first attempt, if I should get something good looking and funny to use on my own, I'll yet be glad!

Another question, if you can: do you think I should choose thin mandolin frets, or more thick ones (like banjo's ones), for that banjolin?

I would stay on the safe side...although the thicker frets would work fine, and I prefer jumbo frets myself, the traditional neck of a banjolin has always had very thin frets. If possible, I'd keep it somewhat traditional for now...

Mickey

Thanks

Vittorio

Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 08:40:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Banjolin?

I picked this up at an auction, and I was wondering if you could tell me what it is, and How I would go about restoring it? Do you carry parts for this?
Thanks a Lot,
Danny

Greetings Danny,

This is a banjolin (mandolin/banjo)...They're mandolins that have banjo rims and heads...they're tuned just like a mandolin too. These are a lot of fun and were very popular around the turn of the century. Yours looks like a pre 1930s model...I can't tell the brand. Most are not worth alot...maybe from 200-500...however, if you have a rare one, it could be worth more...

Parts can be difficult to find for a vintage mandolin banjo...it appears that you need a tailpiece and a bridge designed for the banjolin. My suggestion would be to have someone knowledgeable restore it for you...for, it's easy to devalue you one or take away from the original aesthetics. Be very careful to retain all of the original parts...if any parts need to be replaced...

Hope this helps, Mickey