Early Guitar-Banjos

[Rob MacKillop]

Has anyone explored the world of the early guitar-banjos, or banjo-guitars (not a 5-string  banjo with an extra bass string). Bill's Banjos has a nice Fairbanks and Cole from 1881:

http://www.billsbanjos.com/F&Cguitarbanjo.htm

Was there any solo repertoire, or was it used mainly in the ensemble/orchestra setting for accompaniment?

I know they became very popular for early jazz guitar players, the increased volume helping them be heard against trumpets, and so on. But what about the period before that, say 1880-1920 - what were players doing with them?

[Michael Neverisky]

8-)  

Not trending yet... still waiting for that first tweet, I suppose.