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m06 - Posted - 01/03/2022: 07:44:48
A bit left-field (!) but I thought with the recent discussions about English 6 and 7-string banjos in the collectors forum it would be interesting to post a sound sample to make the point that these banjos are not just dust-collecting wall ornaments. They're actually huge fun to play.
This is a brief recording played on my flush fret English 7-string c.1870 (+/-) pictured below. Saverez 520R strings tuned gGCDGBD. String spacing 1-7 at the bridge is 2.5" and 2.25" at the rim/neck joint. This is comfortable finger room for the up-picking style I'm using.
The two-part recorded riff is just something I made up on the spot to demonstrate the fun and danceability that even this early period, basic banjo can produce. What makes me smile is the whole new dimension and range that the additional bass strings provide. In this brief recording I'm picking the low bass strings but going up the octave I'm not going any higher than 2nd fret on the first string - the E note. That indicates how much wider range these banjos have. When I have time I'll post some traditional English jigs and reels that utilise that full range. 
Edited by - m06 on 01/03/2022 08:01:31
Noodlin - Posted - 01/03/2022: 10:11:43
I dig it! I do enjoy the extra range from having an additional bass string- not sure where I’d go with a 2nd extra, but I’m sure it’s a blast.
Thanks for sharing!
I have a 6string cello banjo (Carver banjo kit in this case), and that has been hard to put down ever since I put it together. In this clip it’s tuned gGCGCD (but an octave below a standard banjo’s tuning of course). It has a very rich, deep tone to it that is quite addictive.
youtu.be/Vfl5atGR6Bw
Cheers,
Adam
Andyrhydycreuau - Posted - 01/03/2022: 10:49:08
Nice sound Mike,
I had one of these for a short while, sold it on. But did enjoy playing it once I'd got used to the strings being close together!
And @noodlin, wow! That thing packs some moody bass. Great stuff!
m06 - Posted - 01/03/2022: 11:56:50
quote:
Originally posted by Andyrhydycreuau
Nice sound Mike,
I had one of these for a short while, sold it on. But did enjoy playing it once I'd got used to the strings being close together!
And @noodlin, wow! That thing packs some moody bass. Great stuff!
Get another one! String spacing (and tension) really is critical. If these 7-strings are tuned down below relative tuning to F I find my 'feel' goes and there isn't sufficient tension and it all goes a bit squishy. The advantage of a 7-string is that we don't need to tune down to get that gravelly bass; it's there all the time in standard G tuning.
Some 19th century 7-string necks on full size banjos are suprisingly narrow and they are very difficult for adult hands to play. I have to wonder if they were intended as youth banjos?
m06 - Posted - 01/03/2022: 12:06:20
quote:
Originally posted by Noodlin
I dig it! I do enjoy the extra range from having an additional bass string- not sure where I’d go with a 2nd extra, but I’m sure it’s a blast.
Thanks for sharing!
I have a 6string cello banjo (Carver banjo kit in this case), and that has been hard to put down ever since I put it together. In this clip it’s tuned gGCGCD (but an octave below a standard banjo’s tuning of course). It has a very rich, deep tone to it that is quite addictive.
youtu.be/Vfl5atGR6Bw
Cheers,
Adam
You get a great low sound out of your cello banjo.
Yep, having that low bass side and that extraordinary range at your fingertips is addictive. I don't know why more folk aren't tempted to play these old 7 strings.
I guess up-picking may put some off? Because the notion that having 7 strings is in itself 'confusing' is just not true. It's not that hard once you figure out what the banjo wants you to do.
Edited by - m06 on 01/03/2022 12:19:18
m06 - Posted - 01/03/2022: 12:16:25
Correction: for the sake of accuracy I just realised I was tuned a half step down from G in this recording.
banjo bill-e - Posted - 01/03/2022: 13:28:51
I would like a 5+1 with just an extra G bass, but seven is a string too far! Mike, your intonation, as always, is flawless.
m06 - Posted - 01/03/2022: 13:38:02
quote:
Originally posted by banjo bill-e
I would like a 5+1 with just an extra G bass, but seven is a string too far! Mike, your intonation, as always, is flawless.
Thank you Bill. A 5+1 should give you room to have your familiar 5-string spacing + the extra bass G and play either clawhammer or up-picking. You gain that wider range and an equal amount of fun!
AndrewD - Posted - 01/03/2022: 13:51:14
I really haven't got into mine yet. But I've been playing around with open G for the top four strings and B G for 5 and 6. So strings 1 to 3 are replicated an octave lower. Allows me to play my normal clawhammer arrangements as usual and an octave lower. Great fun.
Edited by - AndrewD on 01/03/2022 13:53:21
m06 - Posted - 01/03/2022: 14:18:48
quote:
Originally posted by AndrewD
I really haven't got into mine yet. But I've been playing around with open G for the top four strings and B G for 5 and 6. So strings 1 to 3 are replicated an octave lower. Allows me to play my normal clawhammer arrangements as usual and an octave lower. Great fun.
Lovely banjos.
gGBDGBD or dobro tuning based on two major triads is another alternative 7-string tuning. I guess it's a variant of that tuning (gBDGBD) you are using on your 6-string? I find dropping the 5th string C to B on a 7-string makes specific G tunes easier to play. That's because it enables barre at the 2nd fret for ACE phrases.
gDGDGBD or a version of Spanish tuning is another alternative.
Edited by - m06 on 01/03/2022 14:25:03
AndrewD - Posted - 01/03/2022: 17:57:45
quote:
Originally posted by m06
quote:
Originally posted by AndrewD
I really haven't got into mine yet. But I've been playing around with open G for the top four strings and B G for 5 and 6. So strings 1 to 3 are replicated an octave lower. Allows me to play my normal clawhammer arrangements as usual and an octave lower. Great fun.
Lovely banjos.
gGBDGBD or dobro tuning based on two major triads is another alternative 7-string tuning. I guess it's a variant of that tuning (gBDGBD) you are using on your 6-string? I find dropping the 5th string C to B on a 7-string makes specific G tunes easier to play. That's because it enables barre at the 2nd fret for ACE phrases.
gDGDGBD or a version of Spanish tuning is another alternative.
It's a 7 string - So now I know I'm using Dobro tuning (plus a high g 7th). Thanks. I've got a friend who is into old square neck resophonics. So I may end up getting some ideas from him and playing a bit of Hawaiian banjo.
m06 - Posted - 01/04/2022: 04:16:34
quote:
Originally posted by AndrewD
I really haven't got into mine yet. But I've been playing around with open G for the top four strings and B G for 5 and 6. So strings 1 to 3 are replicated an octave lower. Allows me to play my normal clawhammer arrangements as usual and an octave lower. Great fun.
Wow, when you said you play your 'normal clawhammer arrangements' I assumed your banjos must be 6-string. I can't get clawhammer to work for me on my 7-string banjo. Just shows how it's different strokes (literally) for different folks. That makes me wonder whether back in that early period these 7-strings may have been played down-picking stroke style too?
Evidence from contemporary newspaper advertisements reveals that from the 1840's English banjo makers were producing 5,6 and 7-string instruments with what appears to be a fairly strong bias toward 6 and 7-string instruments. Very few early English 5-string banjos turn up in today's salerooms and on eBay by far the majority of these pre-1870's instruments offered for sale are 6 and 7-string, though the earliest published English banjo tutor (1852) instructs students on up-picking albeit that was solely for 5-string banjo. It made no mention of 6 and 7-string banjos.
England 1842 - 1870 is a fascinating context to try and better understand in terms of the banjo. The immense social change underway at that time just adds to the fascination.
Edited by - m06 on 01/04/2022 04:41:36
Noodlin - Posted - 01/04/2022: 08:28:40
I don’t see any reason why downstroke wouldn’t work on a 7 string- the spacing is a little tighter usually, but it would just take a little getting used to. I’ve actually done rather effectively on a 12 string guitar, and there’s very little room there for follow through, but it still works.
I haven’t much gotten into up picking yet, though I do like the sound of it. Regardless, the extra bass strings sure are nice to have, particularly for solo play, I find. When playing with others, I find that the lower strings get a little lost in the accompaniment if there’s a guitar and bass in the mix.
m06 - Posted - 01/05/2022: 03:18:33
Adam, my purely anecdotal and personal input is that the 7-string banjo makes me want to play those additional bass strings with my thumb. The different configuration of the 7-string banjo overrides my deep acquired inclination to play clawhammer.
But, as Andrew’s post demonstrates, the possibility for down-picking is open too.
Edited by - m06 on 01/05/2022 03:21:17
Noodlin - Posted - 01/05/2022: 11:48:29
quote:
Originally posted by m06
Adam, my purely anecdotal and personal input is that the 7-string banjo makes me want to play those additional bass strings with my thumb. The different configuration of the 7-string banjo overrides my deep acquired inclination to play clawhammer.
But, as Andrew’s post demonstrates, the possibility for down-picking is open too.
I do know what you mean- I didn't really get into two finger thumb lead until I started messing with the 6string myself :-)
degreesf - Posted - 01/16/2022: 14:08:15
My Great Grandfather played the 7 string banjo, he was also my uncle, Stu Jamieson's, grandfather. This photo from 1892 was taken in Shanghai.
John
Leslie R - Posted - 01/16/2022: 16:16:58
I don’t know what the name of the song is but I like it.
Good sounding banjo and nicely played !
