12 string b@njo

Greg Vincent · Post by **Greg Vincent** » 6 Nov 2003 9:22 am

So...

I'm looking through the latest Musician's Friend catalog and what do I see on page 67? A 12 string banjo. A freakin' 12 string BANJO.

Now, I'm no banjo basher, but I can't even imagine what this thing would sound like and how it could possibly sound any good. What would you use it for? "Oh, let me lay down a nice rhythm pad with my 12 STRING BANJO."

Is there any precedent for this instrument? Has any one heard one? Are there any recordings that use one of these things?

Is this b0b's worst nightmare?

-GV [This message was edited by Greg Vincent on 06 November 2003 at 09:23 AM.]

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 6 Nov 2003 9:28 am

Must be a universal!

Terry

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 6 Nov 2003 9:32 am

Is it a solid-body?
ha ha ha

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 6 Nov 2003 11:11 am

Twelve strings too many. But take them off and it might make a good drum.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 6 Nov 2003 12:24 pm

I had the opportunity to try out one of these beasts, and I have to say, I liked it. If I had unlimited money to buy all the instruments I'd like to own, I'd get one.

However I liked the fretted banjo bass made by the same company,(Gold Tone,) a lot more.( I didn't care for the fretless model.) The 12 string was interesting. The bass was totally cool.

Both instruments (along with the 6 string "banjitar") are designed for the session player looking for new and different sounds.

Gold Tone banjos, which include bluegrass and frailing 5 string models (including fretless ones,) 6 and 12 string banjitars, banjo mandolins, and fretted and fretless banjo basses, are of the highest quality. Their stuff is easily as good as, if not better than, the instruments produced by bigger companies like Deering and Gibson. Any serious banjo player would do well to check them out.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 6 Nov 2003 12:28 pm

Do they have a web site?

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 6 Nov 2003 12:32 pm

I own a Gold Tone Banjitar and like it a lot. 6 strings tuned like a guitar. I am playing a Broadway show (Crazy For You) next week using it and Sun. afternoon I am driving over to Birmingham playing a concert with Michael Fienstien. The musical director asked me to bring it. 100% of all banjo doubling on show work for the guitar part is just chord and single note work. Never any bluegrass style. These 6 strings banGos are great for that.

There is a Turkish instrument called the CumBus (Joom-bush) that is in essence almost the same as a 12string banjo just cheaper-about $150. Interesting sound. The 12 string banjo might be a cool studio sound.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 6 Nov 2003 4:25 pm

Mike Perlowin said

I had the opportunity to try out one of these beasts, and I have to say, I liked it.

That's the last straw, Perlowin. Our friendship is over - do you hear me? OVER!

Seriously, it probably makes a nice wall hanging...

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 6 Nov 2003 7:28 pm

Bobby, I don't know how to break it to ya, but deep inside my secret underground laboratory, I'm busy inventing the PEDAL banjo.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 6 Nov 2003 8:28 pm

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 6 Nov 2003 8:45 pm

GoldTone makes excellent instruments...probably the highest quality available for the price...I have one of their 5-string banjos and it sounds great.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 6 Nov 2003 9:12 pm

Mike, Buck Trent played an electric banjo with palm peddles. He sounded like a funky Ralph Mooney.

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 7 Nov 2003 4:44 am

Buck Trent RULES!

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 8 Nov 2003 9:25 am

What will the pedals do, Mike? Accelerate and break?

I once played with a guy who had an electric pedal b&nJ@. It made the most gawd-awful noise you can imagine. I lasted about a week in that band. I just couldn't take it.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 8 Nov 2003 9:58 am

What will the pedals do, Mike? Accelerate and break?

Sorry Bobby, that information is classified, all I can say is that the instrument is going to be called "The Frankenbanjo" and it's going to be used to fight terrorism. If I told you any more I'd be violating national security.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 8 Nov 2003 7:24 pm

As one of the aformention session cats looking for new sounds.
I would love to find a 12 string banjo under my Christams tree.

On the other hand it seems one of the fastest ways to a hostile divorce that I can imagine.

I already hear acoustic bass, 12 string banjo and 2 steel tracks in my head.. OOOHHH!![This message was edited by David L. Donald on 08 November 2003 at 07:24 PM.]

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 12 Nov 2003 3:51 pm

I would love to find a 12 string banjo under my Christams tree.

Yes When I burn The Tree after Christmas.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_4_105.gif' border=0></a>

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<img src='http://www.mymailsignature.com/fwpdata/ ... CFAsig.png' border=0></a>[This message was edited by John Floyd on 13 November 2003 at 09:53 AM.]

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 12 Nov 2003 4:54 pm

I get this catalog from the rec. center and it has all kinds of instruments but the one that caught my eye was the 4 string banjo bass. What would that sound like, pretty interesting, about 600.00 also.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 12 Nov 2003 9:59 pm

Roger, as I mentioned earlier, I tried out the fretted banjo bass and thought it sounded very cool. The fretless one didn't cut it IMO. If I could have either the banjo bass, or the 12-string, I'd choose the bass.

One of the great things about living in L.A. is that every January I get to go to the NAMM show, and see and try out all sorts of interesting instruments. Gold Tone always has a booth and I always stop in and see what new toys they are offering.