Re: Gretsch American Clarophone Banjolin
Most bluegrass bands (and bluegrass musicians) won't welcome a mandolin-banjo. Think old-timey, ragtime, even Celtic; how about klezmer?
You need to fabricate some type of strap attachment to the brackets around the body of the banjo. Most players I've seen attach a strap that goes over one shoulder, rather than around the neck, but I expect you could to either. I've made mandolin-banjo straps out of miscellaneous strips of leather, old belts e.g., and have tied 'em to the brackets with thongs.
Apparently Gretsch started the Clarophone banjo line in the early '20's. The last of your pics makes me worry as to whether the instrument's neck might be pitched forward a bit; you might want to have that checked out.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Bookmarks