Hi All.

There are at least two kinds of 4-string banjos:

1.) The plectrum banjo  (think "5-string banjo, but w/o the 5th string")

2.) The tenor banjo  (which has a shorter neck, VSL and tuning).

This area is dedicated to discussions of the tenor banjo.

The tenor banjo is a much different animal as compared to the plectrum or 5-string banjos. In addition to the shorter neck and scale length, the tenor is tuned differently. It is tuned in fifths, like the violin and mandolin families of instruments. Standard tuning is CGDA, as opposed to CGBD for the plectrum banjo. This tuning makes chords for the tenor banjo more logical and easier to learn as compared to the plectrum or 5-string banjos. The shorter 22" scale length also means it's easier to reach the chords. The tenor is also usually played with a plectrum, and lends itself well to Irish music. The tenor also tends to be a lighter banjo, especially the open-back models (those without the wooden resonators).

Strings for a tenor banjo are NOT the same as those for a plectrum banjo. "Regular Light" string gauges for a plectrum banjo are typically .010, .012, .020, and .028W for strings 1 thru 4.

Here we loosely define tenor banjos as any 4-stringer with a 22" VSL (scale length) and a twangy banjo sound regardless of what you are using for a sound box.