mandolins-banjos

There are three main styles of mandolins commonly found here in

the United States today. Of the three the Neapolitan, sometimes

called the bowl-backed mandolin is the closest to the original

historical instrument. As the mandolin evolved into the instrument

we have today it became thinner, and the top changed its profile a

couple times. So today we have the Neapolitan the flat top and the

carved top or arched back mandolins. Here in the United States we

see the carved top mandolin more times than not. It is used

extensively in

bluegrass and country music. The difference between the flat top

and carved top is exactly what it sounds like. Building the flat top is

very close to guitar as far as techniques of constructing the top. It

starts with a flat thin piece of wood. The carved top starts with a

somewhat thicker piece of wood about an inch or so thick. The

excess is actually carved off thinner on the edges and thicker in the

center. The standard mandolin has 4 courses of strings with two

strings in each course tuned in unison, for a total of 8 strings.

Although the number of strings on a mandolin may be anywhere

between 4 and 16.

MANDOLINS & BANJOS

There are more types of banjo than you might think and for the

most part which one you choose depends on what flavor of music

you prefer. The standard 5 string banjo neck is 26 and ¼ inches

long with 22 frets and 5 strings. You have other neck length

choices though when selecting a banjo ranging from 32 and 7/64th

inches with 25 frets to 22 inches and 17 frets. There are tenor

banjos with 21 inch necks with 17 and 19 frets. There are also 4

string plectrum banjos and shorter 4 string versions known as

Banjo Ukes with 16 frets. These are all tuned differently and some

have resonators and some are open backed. Then come the 6 string

and believe it or not the 12 string banjos and don't forget the bass

banjo. As if that isn't enough there are a multitude of different

woods and materials used during construction to create different

tones.

BANJOS & MANDOLINS

Bruce A. Peoples
Telephone 330-862-3031
Cell Phone 330-614-0801

bp396@aol.com
PO Box 27
Paris, Ohio
44669

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