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This banjo was built for 5 long strings and one short drone, which at the fifth fret goes underground in a channel to the peghead — the same as on a zither-b...

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Comment by Jody Stecher on March 12, 2014 at 16:15

I posted Parke Hunter's "Pensacola" once before, in a shortened version as part of a medley. Here's the whole tune complete with repeats.  Well, nearly. On listening back/viewing the video I noticed I've dumbed down the endings of several parts, sort of "squared off" the chord changes. In Parke Hunter's original there are implied chord changes occurring on off-beats near end of the second and fourth parts. It creates a unique sonic atmosphere but somehow I forgot about that, probably due to the shirt.

This banjo was built for 5 long strings and one short drone, which at the fifth fret goes underground in a channel to the peghead — the same as on a zither-banjo. I tried it like that but the banjo sounded muddy. Luthier Paul Hostetter suggested a double bass course, tuned in octaves, bouzouki-style. He built me a bridge adjusted for that and adjusted the nut to be strung like that and the result is a success. The banjo now plays very clearly.

Comment by Trapdoor2 on March 12, 2014 at 17:27

Very neat, Jody. You come out 'swingin' and then slowly back off the swing knob as you progress thru the piece...never losing it entirely. Since I usually play this piece dead straight, those swing eights really sounded jarring at first...but no matter: great tune, well played!

I like that doubled/octave bass string. Sounds excellent.

Comment by Jody Stecher on March 12, 2014 at 17:57

It's a very bright, slightly jarring sounding banjo even in straight eights. The first time I played a Daniels banjo I was very amused because it sounded a lot like a cylinder recording of a banjo. No bottom end and very clear and crisp. When Secret Life Of Banjos was active Bill Evans and I tried including a duet of Daniels banjos. But we couldn't get through a piece without laughing. We kept thinking "Oh, recording technique in the 19th century was actually Hi Fi. Those old recordings sound as they do because that's what banjos sounded like".

The swing wasn't deliberate, though it does sound right to me.  I just now listened to Charles Mansel recording of Pensacola. Sure enough, he plays the first part in straight time. But he also squares off the chords as I did. I just play it like I feel it. And it's different from day to day.

Comment by Mike Moss on March 13, 2014 at 10:57

I like the swing myself. The double bass course is also very effective and really rings out -- ideal for pieces with a bass solo section. I also like Marc Dalmasso's solution of tuning the extra string to G or C so it just resonates sympathetically with the 3rd or 4th.

Comment by Jody Stecher on March 13, 2014 at 14:31

I tried tuning the extra string to G an octave below the third string and it was pure mud. When I tuned it to A the banjo was clearer but I still didn't like it. I tried tuning the usual bass string to D and the extra one to C. Also no good. But that was on *this* banjo. I have played other 6 and 7 string banjos that did sound good. 

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