WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO NOW?

cozmik_cowboy · October 19, 2022, 09:17:43 PM

The Band:

Peter

cozmik_cowboy · October 20, 2022, 09:11:00 AM

It was a bit over a week ago (home Monday night, but just now getting to the camera), but I had a fine time at Coloma Days listening to a Gold Rush reenactor (excuse me, "living history interpreter" - yes, we historians are a bit snobbish toward that breed) playing old-timey stuff on a homemade fretless banjer with 3 gut (well, probably nylon) strings.

Peter

edwardofhuncote · October 20, 2022, 02:24:59 PM

That's pretty wild... I'll have to ask around about three-string tunings, but I almost bet they are modal, or octaves, and designed to be played like a dulcimer.

Aquila does make a set of true gut strings for banjo, so they may well have been. They are a tuning nightmare in outdoor conditions where the humidity fluctuates though.

I had a fun gig for a season in a living history scene, a civil war era, period social band called the StringTyme Minstrels. I played guitar/mandolin in that one... had to wear a wool suit in July, and be part of a little Henrico County encampment. In the evening we played for a big dance. That was great fun.

cozmik_cowboy · October 20, 2022, 02:39:07 PM

He told me he sucked at 5-string, so took up dulcimer; he pondering playing it Spanish-guitar-style & a friend said "That's a cigarbox guitar." So he built one, then built this. He told me the action is so high his fingers hardly ever touch the 'board. Got a nice sound, though.

As to tuning stability, I will now give you the humidity prediction for the week this happened: M- 0% T - 0% W - 0% Th - 0%....you get the idea.

I once had a gig doing a c. 1900 1-room schoolmaster for grade school field trips. It was weird. There's a pic of me somewhere with my ascot, slicked back hair, and handlebar mustache, but I don't know where it is.

Peter