Frailblazer - Posted - 05/26/2014:  09:47:37

A few weeks ago I received my 6 string Victor banjola from Edward Dick.  What an amazing instrument!  As a player of both fingerstyle guitar and banjo this instrument allows me to combine elements of both and express myself musically in ways that are not possible in either instrument alone.  I am still getting accustomed to it the extra bass string and to its many capabilities but I'm completely blown away by it!  I can't put it down!

Here are two original tunes that I recorded this morning.

I have the banjola tuned down a whole step to double A# tuning with a capo at the third fret.

Irene is a tune dedicated to our sweet 9 year old basset hound by the same name.  She is 9 today.

Banjola Jig is a Celtic sounding tune that I'm still working on perfecting, but you'll get the idea...

Thanks for listening!

Ric

Irene

Banjola Jig

arohdhtr - Posted - 05/26/2014:  11:30:47

Very nice. I really enjoyed both songs.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 05/26/2014:  13:06:03

They're gorgeous!

Tell us more about the instrument: Is it a 6 string neck that's like a 5 string banjo with an extra bass string? That would seem likely to me, since 6 strings like a guitar would not have a banjo element that the name banjola implies.

Is it a mandolin body - or something else? Teardrop shaped - or other?

Please post a picture when you can!

Frailblazer - Posted - 05/26/2014:  13:43:52

Thank you Marc and Neil.

Marc - You are correct regarding the neck.  It has a short 6th string (like a banjo's 5th) and an extra bass string.  The standard tuning is gECGCD but I have mine tuned down 1 whole step.

This is the one I have:

It has a western red cedar top, flamed koa back and sides, mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard.  

You can find more pics here: banjolas.com/archive/417/417.htm

Ric

Edited by - Frailblazer on 05/26/2014 13:46:00

Paul Roberts - Posted - 05/26/2014:  13:49:27

Masterful playing on an amazing ax! 

Matthess - Posted - 05/26/2014:  14:48:12

Wow. Beautiful! Love the instrument. Looks superb. Great playing.

JanetB - Posted - 05/26/2014:  17:03:58

You're one of the best on the planet, Ric.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 05/26/2014:  21:12:55

Ric, that was just outstanding! Superb compositions and playing.  What a beautiful instrument, I sooooo want one!

I only wish that there was a banjola hangout where appreciation of this instrument would receive its rightful due.

gmeveret - Posted - 05/27/2014:  03:11:16

Beautiful instrument, beautiful playing. Thanks for sharing!

Frailblazer - Posted - 05/27/2014:  05:42:06

Paul, David, Janet, Laurence and Michael - thank you very much for your kind words.

Janet - You're too much!!! 

Laurence - For me, this instrument completes the circle from guitar to banjo.  I think you'd really enjoy playing it.

I know this instrument falls a bit out of the banjo comfort zone.  I get it.  

That being said - I will happily share more of my future banjola music on this forum if there is interest.

Thanks again,

Ric

Paul Roberts - Posted - 05/27/2014:  15:43:33

 更多的

БОЛЬШИЙ

​çok

もういちど

​more

अधिकम्

Noah Cline - Posted - 05/27/2014:  15:53:04

Wow! These banjolas sound really good. Especially enjoyed "Banjola Jig."

Frailblazer - Posted - 05/28/2014:  05:42:20

Understood Paul! 

Thank you Noah.

- Ric

Paul Roberts - Posted - 05/28/2014:  08:53:01

It would be great to see a video of you riding this gorgeous beast.

banjoholic - Posted - 05/28/2014:  09:38:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frailblazer

 

 

I know this instrument falls a bit out of the banjo comfort zone.  I get it.  

That being said - I will happily share more of my future banjola music on this forum if there is interest.

 

Thanks again,

 

Ric

---

Yes, could you please move this over to banjolahangout.org.  :)

Seriously, though, sounds wonderful. Though now you've given me yet another instrument to lust over. 

henwaddle - Posted - 05/28/2014:  09:54:03

Heavenly, wow!

Frailblazer - Posted - 05/29/2014:  08:54:05

Thank you Josh and Bryan. 

Ric

Frailblazer - Posted - 05/29/2014:  08:54:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul Roberts

It would be great to see a video of you riding this gorgeous beast.

---

I'll see what I can do!

Ric

SCclawman - Posted - 05/29/2014:  09:25:53

oh. my. goodness.

This is one of the coolest things I've heard in a long time.

Beautiful instrument and beautiful playing. I absolutely love the sound of it. Like everyone else said, I want one too!! I also want some of that talent to rub off on my through listening to it multiple times.

So cool!

rubicon - Posted - 05/29/2014:  22:03:04

Irene is just amazing congrats on the new edition beautiful !

Frailblazer - Posted - 05/30/2014:  05:32:48

Thank you both very much! 

Ric

retread - Posted - 05/30/2014:  17:59:47

Absolutely gorgeous tunes, and playing too.

And I think the short 5th string qualifies the instrument as sufficiently banjo-like to keep posting the music you make with it here!

Frailblazer - Posted - 05/31/2014:  14:34:13

Thanks Jeff!

- Ric

Frailblazer - Posted - 06/02/2014:  16:50:36

For anyone interested - I've started a Victor Banjola User's Group which you can find here: banjohangout.org/group/victorbanjolas

Ric

CGbownut - Posted - 06/10/2014:  10:36:45

Great playing. I love the sound and sustain of the Banjola. I have a GT 5 string and love to switch between it and the Deering for a different sound.