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?

[Trapdoor2]

Yoscos have a unique "internal resonator" in that the interior diameter projects a bit taller than the rim and the head actually rests on that interior shell, giving it an "archtop" look, somewhat like an Orpheum or Paramount. This is different than the Bacon FF IR as the Bacon IR terminates about 3/4" below the head. Of course, there are other differences. The typical conversion to 5-string cuts the Yosco interior shell down like a Bacon and allows the full span of the head to become a resonant surface.

Here's a great picture of a Yosco interior:

I wouldn't modify one in decent shape...so I've been looking for a Yosco in poor condition (and cheap). I guess I'll continue to lurk about in the corners of ebay. ;-)

[Rob MacKillop]

Interesting, Marc, and a great photo which says it all.

[thereallyniceman]

Rob, I spotted on Ebay  the ideal painting for your study wall. A Guitar Banjo:

EBAY LINK   It is a bargain price too   OMG !!!       8-(

[Rob MacKillop]

That's a 4-string, Ian. Put your glasses on...

[thereallyniceman]

Rob, neither of us must be art aficionados . The artist quite clearly describes his work as a Banjo Guitar.. 

Perhaps it is a 4 string guitar banjo, very rare!   Hence the price tag of $1,000,000

;-)

[Mike Moss]

I know -- it's a tenor guitar banjo! As in, a tenor guitar with a banjo body. Ah, I hear you say, but tenor guitars are simply plectrum banjos with a guitar body -- but then again, it works both ways, doesn't it? It could be a tenor guitar banjo which was evolved from a tenor guitar which evolved from a plectrum banjo -- full circle, so to speak, going from banjo to guitar, and from guitar to banjo, whilst maintaining its guitaritudinal essence. Or, then again, it might not.

[Michael Neverisky]

Late to this conversation, and I know Rob was asking about 19th century music
specifically.  Just wanted to add my voice as a supporter of this instrument.  I had
a 1920s Tu-ba-phone, strung with nylon for a while.  Inspired to use it for string
band playing by Jody's tracks on a John Cohen CD.   That instrument is gone now,
but the g-b is still alive and well in my corner of the world.  New music being written
for it, even today!   

[Mike Moss]

Awesome sound. Which setup/bridge/strings do you use?

[Michael Neverisky]

I like the sound too.  It's a 4 or 5 year old Senator with whatever bridge
Deering was making at the time.  Strings are extra light phosphor bronze
of one make or another - maybe Martin.  Full disclosure: key components
of that tone are a stuffed head  and the picks on my fingers (Alaska Piks
and Kelly thumb pick - all reshaped from stock). 

[Mike Moss]

I've got a bunch of brass Alaska Piks lying around... never managed to get them to fit, no matter how much I twisted them and adjusted them! I think the problem is that I cut my nails very short (down to the quick), so the picks can't get any support. Eventually I gave up on them and reverted to Dunlops for steel-string guitar.

[Michael Neverisky]

Alas, the Alaska Piks are not liberation from nail maintenance... it's true.
While I have been using them now for 25 years ( can it be?!), first the
plastic then the nylon, I never spent much time with the brass.  I switch
between nylon and steel string guitars and keep my nails just long enough
for tone on the classical guitar.  Which is a bit too long for the banjo, to
get the tone I am after, come to find... but I'm working on that! 

[Adam]

#rag!   ... is it trending?  it should be!  great stuff, Michael.