Banjolin: On Using the Banjolin in the Studio
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:34:49 +0200 (South Africa Standard Time)
Subject: Banjolin questions from South Africa
Hi Mickey
Greetings Benjamin,
Nice to hear from someone all the way from Africa!
My name is Benjamin, I'm 22 and from South Africa. I have just inherited a Banjolin from my grandfather and don't know too much about it. I have read through your discussion forum and most of my questions were answered, but I still have a few more questions.
I'd be glad to assist you further...
A little history about the banjolin.
My grandfather's dad got this banjolin and was playing it during World War 1 but i don't know how long before he got it and if he got it second hand or new. All I know is that he played it to serenade the ladies on some or other river here in South Africa it was then passed on to his eldest son, who passed it on to my grandfather when he died. Now I'm sitting with it and being a musician, want a new challenge to learn to play this banjolin.
Sounds intriguing...I bet this banjolin could tell some stories...
On the inside (the support in the body) it has been engraved by the manufacturer. The engraving says: MADE BY THE VEGA COMPANY BOSTON MASS. U.S.A. STYLE K. On the case in the inside theres a label that says the same ting except theres also the address of the company the address is: 155 Columbus Avenue, Boston Mass (I have added a photo of the label, although it is quite blurry - I can't get it any clearer with my digital camera). The company probably isn't at that address anymore and I can't find the name of the company anywhere on the internet. Could you perhaps tell me more about this banjolin regarding the approximate age, value etc.
Vega banjolins go back quite a ways....early 1900s...I've seen many Vegas dating from the 1920s and up...it's difficult to pinpoint an exact date without a serial number...these can be value from 300-600 depending on condition and rarity of the model. They would bring more if they were as popular as 5-string banjos...my suggestion would be to hold on to it since it beholds you very own family history.
Next, I would like to use it at my home studio for recording. What it the best way to mic up the banjolin? From the front or from the back?
You'll want to be very careful about micing the banjolin...consider its tonal characteristics: it's a very high pitched trebly instrument...you might want to experiment with a few things to gain the tonal range you're looking for...
1. Try stuffing a t-shirt in the back of the head to tone down the resonance...in case you're working with a highly sensitive mic.
2. Make sure that it's recording with the bass up and the treble down...
3. Make sure that you're not using a thin flatpick or you'll get lots of transient tones...I use a medium to heavy flatpick...
4. Make sure that you do have new mandolin strings installed...for more clarity in tone.
5. Place the mic at a distance to try to minimize the pick noise...usually, a little high, to the right and at a 2-3 foot distance...
Hope something here works for you...Mickey
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