Discussion:
Ricky Tomlinson on banjo
(too old to reply)
Mike Edie
2006-10-30 15:26:36 UTC
Permalink
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?

I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.

Yes I know. I really should get out more.

Mike
Jason Hill
2006-10-30 19:55:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
I think it may have been a five-string with the 5th string removed, or
maybe a G banjo (like a five-string without the fifth string, if that
makes sense). The neck was too long to be a tenor.
--
Jason Hill
Mike Edie
2006-10-31 11:38:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jason Hill
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was
a 5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to
know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the
neck to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
I think it may have been a five-string with the 5th string removed, or
maybe a G banjo (like a five-string without the fifth string, if that
makes sense). The neck was too long to be a tenor.
This confirms what I thought. I see from a photo on the Internet Jim
Royle playing a banjo with a 5-stringer neck but I can't see the peg.
This suggests,a s you say, a 5-string with 4 strings which technically
makes it a plectrum banjo I think (tuned the same DGBD). This explains
his strumming style too. A plectrum banjo, I think, has the same neck
length as a 5-string.

Ricky Tomlinson released a record called "Music My Arse" with a picture
of himself in the buff with a banjo superimposed on his precious bits. 4
strings but no lumpy bit for the 5th. That said the banjo was clearly
from clip-art so no clues there.

M
David Kilpatrick
2006-10-31 18:02:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Edie
This confirms what I thought. I see from a photo on the Internet Jim
Royle playing a banjo with a 5-stringer neck but I can't see the peg.
This suggests,a s you say, a 5-string with 4 strings which technically
makes it a plectrum banjo I think (tuned the same DGBD). This explains
his strumming style too. A plectrum banjo, I think, has the same neck
length as a 5-string.
Ricky Tomlinson released a record called "Music My Arse" with a picture
of himself in the buff with a banjo superimposed on his precious bits. 4
strings but no lumpy bit for the 5th.
British zither banjos don't have a tuner on the side of the neck, so you
must be able to see the peghead to be sure. The 5th string nips down
into a tunnel buried in the neck, and goes to a tuner machine on the
main head. Plenty of good old zither banjos are still in use doing
service using modern 5-string wires. Originally they had one gut string
and one silver wound on silk, plus three wires. Mine dates from the
1890s and has a much softer, brighter sound than a modern bluegrass
banjo - much better suited to song accompaniment or quiet playing.

David
Mike Edie
2006-11-01 10:04:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by David Kilpatrick
Post by Mike Edie
This confirms what I thought. I see from a photo on the Internet Jim
Royle playing a banjo with a 5-stringer neck but I can't see the peg.
This suggests,a s you say, a 5-string with 4 strings which technically
makes it a plectrum banjo I think (tuned the same DGBD). This explains
his strumming style too. A plectrum banjo, I think, has the same neck
length as a 5-string.
Ricky Tomlinson released a record called "Music My Arse" with a
picture of himself in the buff with a banjo superimposed on his
precious bits. 4 strings but no lumpy bit for the 5th.
British zither banjos don't have a tuner on the side of the neck, so you
must be able to see the peghead to be sure. The 5th string nips down
into a tunnel buried in the neck, and goes to a tuner machine on the
main head. Plenty of good old zither banjos are still in use doing
service using modern 5-string wires. Originally they had one gut string
and one silver wound on silk, plus three wires. Mine dates from the
1890s and has a much softer, brighter sound than a modern bluegrass
banjo - much better suited to song accompaniment or quiet playing.
I suspect not in this case:

Loading Image...

Looks most likely a conventional 5-string neck.

You can still get new zither banjos. It seems a much better idea than
having that side peg in the way. The cost is a thicker neck for the
first 5 frets but you can also use your thumb. I'm surprised nobody has
considered putting the tuning peg down at the tail-piece.

I've just spent the weekend with 20 bluegrass banjo players and I can
confirm that it was a bit of a din. Most had to put blu-tak on the
bridge to quieten them down.

I'm rather glad I bought an open backed one. If anything I'm considering
getting a velum headed old-time sort for that even softer "plunk" rather
than "prlang".

That said if I buy another instrument my wife will be using MY guts for
strings.

Mike
Mike Edie
2006-11-01 10:18:47 UTC
Permalink
I should also point out I didn't ask on alt.banjo because:

1] They are all Americans and shouting "banjo - my arse!" might lead to
air strikes.

2] I'd get a thousand replies complaining about the poor quality of his
tone ring (fnarr) and asking what the serial number was.

3] If they even suspected it wasn't a 5-string they would launch into a
scoff-athon.
b***@cix.co.uk
2006-11-02 09:27:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by David Kilpatrick
Post by Mike Edie
This confirms what I thought. I see from a photo on the Internet Jim
Royle playing a banjo with a 5-stringer neck but I can't see the peg.
This suggests,a s you say, a 5-string with 4 strings which technically
makes it a plectrum banjo I think (tuned the same DGBD). This explains
his strumming style too. A plectrum banjo, I think, has the same neck
length as a 5-string.
Ricky Tomlinson released a record called "Music My Arse" with a picture
of himself in the buff with a banjo superimposed on his precious bits. 4
strings but no lumpy bit for the 5th.
British zither banjos don't have a tuner on the side of the neck, so you
must be able to see the peghead to be sure. The 5th string nips down
into a tunnel buried in the neck, and goes to a tuner machine on the
main head. Plenty of good old zither banjos are still in use doing
service using modern 5-string wires. Originally they had one gut string
and one silver wound on silk, plus three wires. Mine dates from the
1890s and has a much softer, brighter sound than a modern bluegrass
banjo - much better suited to song accompaniment or quiet playing.
David
I have a (British made) Windsor banjo built just this way, with 6
machine heads and two tunnels. It was my mother's and she used it, as a
5-string both picked and played with a plectrum made of felt, in a
banjo band in the early 1920s. It is in need of some renovation (which
I intend to do over this winter) and I then want to try it as a
4-string.

Out of interest, what would the team recommend for string guages given
that it has the longer neck?

Martin
Ron(UK)
2006-11-02 11:41:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@cix.co.uk
I have a (British made) Windsor banjo built just this way, with 6
machine heads and two tunnels. It was my mother's and she used it, as a
5-string both picked and played with a plectrum made of felt, in a
banjo band in the early 1920s. It is in need of some renovation (which
I intend to do over this winter) and I then want to try it as a
4-string.
I have an unusual Windsor 5 string which although very similar to the
majority, hasn`t got a slotted head and has only five machine heads
which are vertical and behind a pair of silver plated brass escutchions.
The rest of the instrument is pretty typical 1930`s Windsor. Anyone
else got one like this or any info?


UkuleleRon
--
Lune Valley Audio
Public Address Systems
Hire Sales Maintenance
www.lunevalleyaudio.com
Jon Freeman
2006-11-03 01:03:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by b***@cix.co.uk
I have a (British made) Windsor banjo built just this way, with 6
machine heads and two tunnels. It was my mother's and she used it, as a
5-string both picked and played with a plectrum made of felt, in a
banjo band in the early 1920s. It is in need of some renovation (which
I intend to do over this winter) and I then want to try it as a
4-string.
Out of interest, what would the team recommend for string guages given
that it has the longer neck?
What tuning are you planning on using?
Akura
2006-10-31 11:09:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
Lovers of music might care to know that Cropredy this year featured a
Banjo Amnesty, with a large skip at each of the field exits
Nigel Stapley
2006-10-31 12:57:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Akura
Lovers of music might care to know that Cropredy this year featured a
Banjo Amnesty, with a large skip at each of the field exits
Next to the Bodhrán Bin? :-)
--
Regards

Nigel Stapley

www.judgemental.plus.com

<reply-to will bounce>
Akura
2006-10-31 11:09:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
Lovers of music might care to know that Cropredy this year featured a
Banjo Amnesty, with a large skip at each of the field exits
Akura
2006-10-31 11:11:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by Akura
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
Lovers of music might care to know that Cropredy this year featured a
Banjo Amnesty, with a large skip at each of the field exits
Sorry for the double post - my trembling finger hit the send button
twice by mistake.

(Cue tirade of abuse from the regulars, and copious words of avvice on
how to post properly)
Akura
2006-10-31 11:12:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by Akura
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
Lovers of music might care to know that Cropredy this year featured a
Banjo Amnesty, with a large skip at each of the field exits
Sorry for the double post - my trembling finger hit the send button
twice by mistake.

(Cue tirade of abuse from the regulars, and copious words of advice on
how to post properly)
Mike Edie
2006-10-31 12:41:41 UTC
Permalink
(Cue tirade of abuse from the regulars, ...
My arse!
Dick Gaughan
2006-11-01 03:11:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by Akura
Sorry for the double post - my trembling finger hit the send button
twice by mistake.
Thoughtful of you to post the apology twice, too :) Symmetrical
posting creates a harmonious balance.
Post by Akura
(Cue tirade of abuse from the regulars,
Abusing AOL users is considered bad form.
Post by Akura
and copious words of advice on
how to post properly)
If you insist. Say three Hail Marys and sin no more. That'll be
ten guineas. Next sinner, please.
--
DG
Akura
2006-11-02 18:35:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
See? See what you've started?
Mike Edie
2006-11-02 23:29:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by Akura
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
See? See what you've started?
I'll close the door on the way out ;-)
Akura
2006-11-03 09:12:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Edie
Post by Akura
Post by Mike Edie
Watching the Royle Family last night on the box, I noticed Ricky
Tomlinson playing a Countryman banjo. I couldn't figure out if it was a
5-stringer, a plectrum or a tenor. Is anyone in here sad enough to know?
I could only count 4 strings but couldn't see far enough round the neck
to spot/not spot a tuning peg.
Yes I know. I really should get out more.
Mike
See? See what you've started?
I'll close the door on the way out ;-)
Too late, it's spiralling out of control now.
Mike Edie
2006-11-03 10:13:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Akura
Post by Mike Edie
I'll close the door on the way out ;-)
Too late, it's spiralling out of control now.
Then my master plan is complete bruhahahahaha!

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