This was a pretty nice playing and sounding 4 string that mostly went unplayed since I fell in love w 3 strings. My grand daughter wants to try banjo and I made this conversion for her. It is not loud, but it plays and sounds purty good. :)
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Rand, Not much reasoning or theory. It was a conversion of a 4 string I had on hand. I wanted strength, so I added the bass side green extender for the high G string. I made it shorter than standard to keep the neck sleeker for my grand daughter' small hands. It worked out fine. If you are starting from scratch, more standard would be a safer way to go. I do like the tuner at the bottom.
I notice the bridge for the short string addition is located on the tail end of the cigar box and the length of the neck extension does not go to the 5th fret as one would expect. Was there a reason for this? I like the idea, but before I go to implement it I'd like to understand these odd aspects you made on your instrument. I recently became interested in dulcijos, 4-string banjos (with short drone string) and (eventually) 5-string banjos.
Converion: Side piece attached. String hole in top w a fret there too. Tuner in bottom. I had a mandolin A string and I used it for the little G string. Seems good.
Granddaughter will turn 15 soon and plays store bought guitar and sings quite well. Maybe she will like banjo. I hope she does not like Scruggs style. Best of all would be if she becomes a cigar box instrument fan. :)
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Thanks, folks,
Rand, Not much reasoning or theory. It was a conversion of a 4 string I had on hand. I wanted strength, so I added the bass side green extender for the high G string. I made it shorter than standard to keep the neck sleeker for my grand daughter' small hands. It worked out fine. If you are starting from scratch, more standard would be a safer way to go. I do like the tuner at the bottom.
Hi Uncle John,
I notice the bridge for the short string addition is located on the tail end of the cigar box and the length of the neck extension does not go to the 5th fret as one would expect. Was there a reason for this? I like the idea, but before I go to implement it I'd like to understand these odd aspects you made on your instrument. I recently became interested in dulcijos, 4-string banjos (with short drone string) and (eventually) 5-string banjos.
-Rand.
Converion: Side piece attached. String hole in top w a fret there too. Tuner in bottom. I had a mandolin A string and I used it for the little G string. Seems good.
Granddaughter will turn 15 soon and plays store bought guitar and sings quite well. Maybe she will like banjo. I hope she does not like Scruggs style. Best of all would be if she becomes a cigar box instrument fan. :)