Hi folks,

I'm on the look out for a shorter scaled banjo. My only banjo suitable for classic style is my Clifford Essex Imperial and with a scale length of 26,5 inches, it is quite a stretch at times (I have really small hands).

So I'm wondering what banjos I should look for, in case some pops up on eBay and such? I can of course ask the seller about it but I'm thinking it would be good to have a clue beforehand.

Also if you have any thoughts on new made banjos suitable for classic style, it would be most welcome.

Thanks!

/Pär

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Somehow I can't edit after posting...

Just wanted to add that I do need 22 frets.

I have a late 19th century Joseph Daniels banjo that I hardly play anymore. The scale is 26 inches. I'd consider selling it and the price is not high but the price of shipping from California to Europe *is* high.  But if you are interested in a shorter scale metal bodied banjo that sounds like an old 78 rpm record let me know. Maybe you have a relative or friend flying from San Francisco. The banjo would fit in the overhead easily.  I have put some videos of me playing this banjo here on this website a few years ago.

And one more. This was done in 2014.  Since then the Albino Skunk shirr has turned into tattered rags but the banjo is the same as ever!   (I didn't save the shirt to play Ragtime. I threw it away).

Hi Jody,

thanks for your replies (and the video. Really good playing!)

I am hoping to find an even shorter scaled banjo, maybe 25.5 inches, unless the tone would suffer from that. Or at least try one first, before deciding. Maybe I just need to practise more! :-)

I'm not ready to buy a new banjo at the moment, need to save up first. And I think I would prefer my future go to classic banjo to be a more "normal" one... :-) I also didn't look close enough but does it have 22 frets?

Yes it has 22 frets. And yes this banjo  is anything but "normal".   I do see short scale 5 string banjos from time to time. One of my students has one. I think the scale is about 23 inches.  I can't say I like how it plays or sounds though. 25.5 might be good.

Pär Engstrand said:

Hi Jody,

thanks for your replies (and the video. Really good playing!)

I am hoping to find an even shorter scaled banjo, maybe 25.5 inches, unless the tone would suffer from that. Or at least try one first, before deciding. Maybe I just need to practise more! :-)

I'm not ready to buy a new banjo at the moment, need to save up first. And I think I would prefer my future go to classic banjo to be a more "normal" one... :-) I also didn't look close enough but does it have 22 frets?

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