Re: Banjo-Mandolin ID
Any identifying marks inside the shell? If not, it looks like an inexpensive "trade" instrument, as shown by the smaller number of brackets, and the lack of headstock inlay and fretboard position markers. Instruments like this were turned out in large numbers, often without manufacturer's markings, and sold through distributors to music dealers.
Doesn't mean that it's not a decent playable instrument. I agree with Steve that the previous owner was probably a ukulele player, and strung this one up as a ukulele banjo. If you want to play it as a mandolin, I'd string it up with light-gauge mandolin strings and see what it sounds like, and how it plays.
Mandolin banjos tend toward the raucous; if you like that, fine. If you don't, you can stuff a towel or other cloth inside the shell and cut the volume down significantly. You can also follow the advice above and try nylon strings, but I'd give it a go with regular steel mando strings first. That's the stringing the instrument was designed for.
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