I have owned four banjitars. Two of them sounded OK and I should have kept the Gretsch. The one I own now is a Samick and it sounds pretty bad. At least it did until a few days ago, when I strung it with a set of electric nickel-plated strings in Nashville tuning. That was a revelation. It's like having a new banjo.
Actually some Banjitars (such as the Dean, & some Gold tones) have a Scale Length identical to a Guitar, to facilitate playability. You can also use a set of 7s (Ultra Lights) to give you that James Bond Vibe. The James Bond theme didn't use a Banjitar originally but it actually sounds great with a Banjitar.
I'm planning on using Rouxinol R-30 Strings w/ a Wound B String (they include a Pick) in E flat Standard Tuning so I could get an interesting Jazz tone.
Thanks...my neighbor asked me to help her tune her new banjo. I am not a banjo player so I watched another youtube video assuming it would be a 5-string. Apparently this one is a 6-string. The 5-string instructions has a mention about setting the bridge distance to be the same as that from the 12 fret. Just wondering if that also applies here for 6-string.
Yes, that is standard on stringed instruments. Check the harmonic at the 12th fret against the fretted note at the 12th fret with a tuner. They should be as close as you can get it.
Some 6 String Banjos have the same scale length as a Guitar. Electric Guitar Strings & Banjo Strings are the same material as Banjo Strings so the sound will be the same.
While the co-ordinator rod can be used to change the neck angle it should be used very sparingly. The main job of the rod(s) is to support the rim at the required 11 inch round. Mess with the co-ordinator rod too much can get the rim out of shape. On these cheap banjos with a single rod and a screw through the heel it's best not to touch it. The screw is weak and it's a weak connection anyway. Even on banjos with much better lag bolts screwed into the heel with two rods or with one rod, usually with a second bolt connection, the rod should be used very sparingly. But tiny adjustments is really all that should be needed.
Which six string banjo is that? I've been looking for a nice 6 string banjo around $300 or less as a price point but can't seem to find one that has many decent reviews unfortunately. Great video by the way.
This is my Caraya banjitar. I would say it’s very well-made for just under the $300 price point. It shipped from Australia, which added to the price quite a bit. The shipping from there has gone up a lot since the pandemic (I’m in the USA). For the under-$300 USD price range, it’s one of the best. The fit and finish is good. No sharp fret ends, nicely-leveled frets. I had to do very little tweaking to get it to play well.
That's awesome. Thank you. I'm in the states as well. New York. Do you have any higher-end banjos or banjitars that you'd compared to? If so would you say it's on par with those?
@@RDobbs-uv4xc I have three banjitars, all of which are around the $300 price point. If you know how to do setups, dress frets, etc., you can make a banjitar in that price range play like a much more expensive instrument. Mine play as good or better than the Goodtime brands by Deering. Of course, they also make banjitars that are over $2000. I have nearly 20 guitars, basses, and banjitars. I don’t spend a lot on them. Check out this video: czcams.com/video/oYTt44KBsrk/video.html
I have a Recording King banjo currently so I know how to set them up somewhat. Playing it is a different story however. Lol Dressing a fret I do not know about. Do you have any 6 stringer in the price point we're talking about that you would recommend that are currently out there? Couldn't find the one you're playing here on eBay or anywhere for sale. Or the SX. Did come across a Danville, Washburn and Jameson. Washburn is the most expensive of the 3 and has the open back (that I like). But I already have an open back with my RK banjo, so I'll likely go with a resonator just to switch it up.
gdwest999 Here's a really interesting instrument:vintageamericanguitar.com/product/1860-english-tunbridge-ware-fretless-7-string-banjo/ a 7 String Banjo which is a 5 String Banjo with 2 more Bass Strings (Low G, & Low D) & that broadened the Banjo players musical range. The Banjitar on the other hand is basically a 6 String Plectrum Banjo (Bb, F, C, G, B, D) which gave Plectrum players a much broader musical range.
gdwest999 Dean makes Black Banjitars with Pickups so you can use an amp. If you prefer to tune a 12 String Guitar to E Standard (E Standard is great for Vocal Accompaniment, & Solo Guitar repertoire too with Finger picks) D'addario Extra Light 12 String Guitar Strings will help:www.daddario.com/products/guitar/acoustic-guitar/phosphor-bronze/ej41-phosphor-bronze-12-string-acoustic-guitar-strings-extra-light-9-45/ because the tension is fairly fairly low, & they're versatile too.
Really, the five-string banjo IS the central sound of bluegrass. Would it be possible to cover some bluegrass tunes? Yes, especially if you used Nashville tuning strings and tuned it the open-G tuning traditional players use, but it would be just as easy to learn to play a traditional five-string. Personally, I think banjitar works best in the folk context, Celtic, and old-time jazz. Those take advantage of the extended range of the instrument.
@@GWGuitarStudio In my country it's hard to get a nashville tuning string set. Is there a way to tune a nashville tuning with regular strings? And how to tune nashville tuning in open g?
@@KnifeFetish You can make a Nashville tuning set using the high octave strings from a 12-string guitar set. To get to open-G, tune the strings to (low to high) DGDGBD.
@@GWGuitarStudio thank you very much, you helped me a lot. I hope you will make a video tutorial playing the bluegrass roll on a 6 string banjo. greetings from Indonesia ❤️
@@GWGuitarStudio Oscar Stern here, yes it's quite a beautiful Banjitar made by Paramount w/ a Head Stock identical in shape to a Normal Banjo. The Banjitars we have today use a Head stock that's the same as a Guitar. Paramount also made Banjitar Harps which are Wooden Top Banjitars, Mando-Banjo Harps basically Wooden top Mando-Banjo:czcams.com/video/iUNc2mvFl54/video.html, & the Tenor Harp. The Tenor Harp for a point of reference:czcams.com/video/3uu2VsYsBb0/video.html is a Circular Bodied Tenor Guitar (Tenor Guitar is basically the Guitar version of a Tenor Banjo), & the reason those instruments exist (lots of companies should make these instruments soon) is because as the Steel String Guitar replaced Banjos & Mandolins in a Jazz setting, it was so hard to let go of what was a big hit, so Banjo companies helped Banjoists transition to Guitar by making Guitars tuned like Banjos such as Tenor Guitars, Plectrum Guitars, & this guy:czcams.com/video/87LI45zImH0/video.html
@@GWGuitarStudio What they usually do with 6 String Guitar Banjos is make the body a little bit bigger than a 5 String Banjo body so that the lower pitches speak clearly.
First, check the truss rod and make sure the neck is straight. Second, check the coordinator rod inside the banjo. It is possible to buy banjo bridges of different heights online. Depending on how much height you need to lose, you might be able sand the feet of the bridge and loses some height. I have also sanded down the top of the bridge and used a small triangular file to cut some deeper string slots in the bridge. In some cases, you can put a shim between the neck and body to change the neck angle, which can lower the string height.
I have owned four banjitars. Two of them sounded OK and I should have kept the Gretsch. The one I own now is a Samick and it sounds pretty bad. At least it did until a few days ago, when I strung it with a set of electric nickel-plated strings in Nashville tuning. That was a revelation. It's like having a new banjo.
GW's 12-Strings, 6-Strings, Banjitars & More
Perfect for that good old fashioned Dixieland Jazz sound
Thank you for this. Very helpful for a first-time banjitarist!
You're very welcome!
Dunlap 7-38 Strings (Ultra Lights) are great for playing Melodies & Chords.
Electric Guitar Strings are identical in material to Banjo Strings (Nickel Plated Steel) so they'll give you a true Banjo Sound.
great got a 2nd hand one and didn’t know where to start so thank you.
Congratulations! Merry Christmas! Check back soon, there is a lot of 12-string content on the channel and more to come.
Just ordered mine, this was super helpful to come across! Appreciate the lesson.
Glad to hear it. Thanks for watching!
Actually some Banjitars (such as the Dean, & some Gold tones) have a Scale Length identical to a Guitar, to facilitate playability. You can also use a set of 7s (Ultra Lights) to give you that James Bond Vibe. The James Bond theme didn't use a Banjitar originally but it actually sounds great with a Banjitar.
Thanks for posting as I just bought a 6 string banjo guitar . And found your tips and advise very helpful love the sound of is too.
Glad you found it helpful. Check out the new web site at www.banjitars.com
THANKYOU. Thick strings on mine sound like cold death.
I'm planning on using Rouxinol R-30 Strings w/ a Wound B String (they include a Pick) in E flat Standard Tuning so I could get an interesting Jazz tone.
Dude, what country are you from? You always mention brands of strings I’ve never heard of-and I’ve been playing almost 50 years!
@@GWGuitarStudio USA & those strings are made in Brazil which is right below us in a Diagonal line.
How about Superstition by Stevie Wonder w/ the instrument tuned down a Half Step to Eb Standard? You can emulate the Clavinet cause it's twangy.
Thanks...my neighbor asked me to help her tune her new banjo. I am not a banjo player so I watched another youtube video assuming it would be a 5-string. Apparently this one is a 6-string. The 5-string instructions has a mention about setting the bridge distance to be the same as that from the 12 fret. Just wondering if that also applies here for 6-string.
Yes, that is standard on stringed instruments. Check the harmonic at the 12th fret against the fretted note at the 12th fret with a tuner. They should be as close as you can get it.
Some 6 String Banjos have the same scale length as a Guitar. Electric Guitar Strings & Banjo Strings are the same material as Banjo Strings so the sound will be the same.
gdwest999 Can't you use Electric Guitar Strings? They give you a true Banjo sound due to them being the same material.
While the co-ordinator rod can be used to change the neck angle it should be used very sparingly. The main job of the rod(s) is to support the rim at the required 11 inch round. Mess with the co-ordinator rod too much can get the rim out of shape. On these cheap banjos with a single rod and a screw through the heel it's best not to touch it. The screw is weak and it's a weak connection anyway. Even on banjos with much better lag bolts screwed into the heel with two rods or with one rod, usually with a second bolt connection, the rod should be used very sparingly. But tiny adjustments is really all that should be needed.
Which six string banjo is that? I've been looking for a nice 6 string banjo around $300 or less as a price point but can't seem to find one that has many decent reviews unfortunately. Great video by the way.
This is my Caraya banjitar. I would say it’s very well-made for just under the $300 price point. It shipped from Australia, which added to the price quite a bit. The shipping from there has gone up a lot since the pandemic (I’m in the USA). For the under-$300 USD price range, it’s one of the best. The fit and finish is good. No sharp fret ends, nicely-leveled frets. I had to do very little tweaking to get it to play well.
That's awesome. Thank you. I'm in the states as well. New York. Do you have any higher-end banjos or banjitars that you'd compared to? If so would you say it's on par with those?
@@RDobbs-uv4xc I have three banjitars, all of which are around the $300 price point. If you know how to do setups, dress frets, etc., you can make a banjitar in that price range play like a much more expensive instrument. Mine play as good or better than the Goodtime brands by Deering. Of course, they also make banjitars that are over $2000. I have nearly 20 guitars, basses, and banjitars. I don’t spend a lot on them. Check out this video:
czcams.com/video/oYTt44KBsrk/video.html
I have a Recording King banjo currently so I know how to set them up somewhat. Playing it is a different story however. Lol Dressing a fret I do not know about. Do you have any 6 stringer in the price point we're talking about that you would recommend that are currently out there? Couldn't find the one you're playing here on eBay or anywhere for sale. Or the SX. Did come across a Danville, Washburn and Jameson. Washburn is the most expensive of the 3 and has the open back (that I like). But I already have an open back with my RK banjo, so I'll likely go with a resonator just to switch it up.
gdwest999 Here's a really interesting instrument:vintageamericanguitar.com/product/1860-english-tunbridge-ware-fretless-7-string-banjo/ a 7 String Banjo which is a 5 String Banjo with 2 more Bass Strings (Low G, & Low D) & that broadened the Banjo players musical range. The Banjitar on the other hand is basically a 6 String Plectrum Banjo (Bb, F, C, G, B, D) which gave Plectrum players a much broader musical range.
gdwest999 Dean makes Black Banjitars with Pickups so you can use an amp. If you prefer to tune a 12 String Guitar to E Standard (E Standard is great for Vocal Accompaniment, & Solo Guitar repertoire too with Finger picks) D'addario Extra Light 12 String Guitar Strings will help:www.daddario.com/products/guitar/acoustic-guitar/phosphor-bronze/ej41-phosphor-bronze-12-string-acoustic-guitar-strings-extra-light-9-45/ because the tension is fairly fairly low, & they're versatile too.
The Banjitar is louder in volume than a Guitar if you were to compare it cause the Drum head is acting like a really loud amplifier.
what brand is your 6 string banjo?
I have three 6-string banjos. I have a no-name one my wife gave to me, a Caraya open-back, and a SX closed-back. I also have a 12-string Dean banjo.
can i play bluegrass on a 6 string banjo?
Really, the five-string banjo IS the central sound of bluegrass. Would it be possible to cover some bluegrass tunes? Yes, especially if you used Nashville tuning strings and tuned it the open-G tuning traditional players use, but it would be just as easy to learn to play a traditional five-string. Personally, I think banjitar works best in the folk context, Celtic, and old-time jazz. Those take advantage of the extended range of the instrument.
@@GWGuitarStudio In my country it's hard to get a nashville tuning string set. Is there a way to tune a nashville tuning with regular strings? And how to tune nashville tuning in open g?
@@KnifeFetish You can make a Nashville tuning set using the high octave strings from a 12-string guitar set. To get to open-G, tune the strings to (low to high) DGDGBD.
@@GWGuitarStudio thank you very much, you helped me a lot. I hope you will make a video tutorial playing the bluegrass roll on a 6 string banjo. greetings from Indonesia ❤️
There is no place on the internet that just shows the tuning for this type of banjitar, just the sound, i dont get it
E A D G B E or play open G also very cool
This:www.vintageinstruments.com/museum/prmntgitbnjohrpfulpage.html is a Paramount Banjitar.
That’s a beautiful instrument! We have a banjo museum in nearby Oklahoma City. Lots of cool stuff in there, but it features mostly old tenor banjos.
@@GWGuitarStudio Oscar Stern here, yes it's quite a beautiful Banjitar made by Paramount w/ a Head Stock identical in shape to a Normal Banjo. The Banjitars we have today use a Head stock that's the same as a Guitar. Paramount also made Banjitar Harps which are Wooden Top Banjitars, Mando-Banjo Harps basically Wooden top Mando-Banjo:czcams.com/video/iUNc2mvFl54/video.html, & the Tenor Harp. The Tenor Harp for a point of reference:czcams.com/video/3uu2VsYsBb0/video.html is a Circular Bodied Tenor Guitar (Tenor Guitar is basically the Guitar version of a Tenor Banjo), & the reason those instruments exist (lots of companies should make these instruments soon) is because as the Steel String Guitar replaced Banjos & Mandolins in a Jazz setting, it was so hard to let go of what was a big hit, so Banjo companies helped Banjoists transition to Guitar by making Guitars tuned like Banjos such as Tenor Guitars, Plectrum Guitars, & this guy:czcams.com/video/87LI45zImH0/video.html
@@GWGuitarStudio Why not put Bass VI Strings on a Banjitar so you can tune it down an Octave? It would rock.
@@GWGuitarStudio What they usually do with 6 String Guitar Banjos is make the body a little bit bigger than a 5 String Banjo body so that the lower pitches speak clearly.
My strings are too high hear the drum head
First, check the truss rod and make sure the neck is straight. Second, check the coordinator rod inside the banjo. It is possible to buy banjo bridges of different heights online. Depending on how much height you need to lose, you might be able sand the feet of the bridge and loses some height. I have also sanded down the top of the bridge and used a small triangular file to cut some deeper string slots in the bridge. In some cases, you can put a shim between the neck and body to change the neck angle, which can lower the string height.
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