In search of a Six String Banjo

Subject: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: lloyd61
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 11:40 PM

In search of a 6 string Banjo

A friend has a home made six string Banjo. It is tuned like a guitar. I understand the someone is now manufacturing them. Does anyone have any information about this subject?

lloyd61

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 12:19 AM

Don't know much about them but as far as I am aware, 6 string banjo's are reasonably easy to obtain and have been around for a long while. I don't know where you are based but I'm guessing at the US and Deering (http://www.deeringbanjos.com/) certainly do make them.

Jon

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 12:24 AM

Lloyd, have you looked at the Elderly Instruments website? I thought I had them bookmarked, but don't. Sorry. They do have great stuff. Good luck,

kat

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 12:29 AM

I wanted a 6-string banjo in the worst way about 34 years ago. So I got one---mostly because I could play a guitar already and, being pretty lazy, didn't want to learn to play the banjo. I kept the thing about 6 weeks mostly out of stubbornness. I hated it as soon as I began playing it. It wasn NOT a satisfactory substitute for the great sounds you can get from a 5-string banjo played the correct way.

Those are just some observations from a fellow who has been there. But try it---you might like it.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 12:44 AM

Art Theme, I can not speak from experience and I play tenor rather than 5 string but I can not imagine that a 6 string would be a substitute for either of them.

I don't really know, but as with a guitar, I would imagine that the flat pick tenor styles would work/ could be transferred to a 6 string banjo but I can't see how the 5 string styles could possibly work.

Jon

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Dale Rose
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 01:09 AM

I saw Dave Para play one a number of years ago, but not recently. Maybe he'll pop in here and relate some of his experiences playing one. I'm sure he'd know the history of the instrument as well. Also saw Carl Baron play one a good while ago. I like the sound, but I think it is appealing for the novelty factor, rather than a steady diet ~~ same goes for the banjo-mandolin, etc.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 01:49 AM

Dale, I love my "baby" (mandolin-banjo). Having said that, personaly I view it as a fun instrument but it can work well in sessions and I think it is under-rated by a lot of people.

Jon

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 02:25 AM

Lark in the Morning (a California music store) sells a banjo guitar for $235. Their URL is

www.larkinam.com

Elderly Instruments' URL is

www.elderly.com

Elderly lists a Deering Boston six string banjo (banjo guitar)--look under 5-string resonator banjos. The list price is $1400 plus, but they say to contact them for their price. You might find a used Deering for less--maybe at Mandolin Brothers (www.mandoweb.com). The Fifth String, a Berkeley instrument store, has had a used one for sale for several years, I think for well under $100. I can check it out maybe Wednesday--or Thursday night when I go to the weekly jam there, if you're interested.

--seed

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From:
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 05:11 AM

As I understand it the 6 string banjo was invented because guitars didn't have the punch to compete in a jazz orchestra. The banjo, although it doesn't have much sustain, has a strong initial sound. So guitar players hacked away on six-string banjos using chord shapes they already knew in jazz bands. From early films I have seen, they only supplied rhythm guitar. They had no solos.

On the other hand, I have heard Rev. Gary Davis playing a nice finger-picking piece on a banjo which I later was told was a six-string. I would rather hear him play the guitar, though.

Murray

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From:
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 05:18 AM

I got so carried away with Gary Davis that I forgot the main thing I was going to say. There is a "Goldtone Banjitar" which is a six-string banjo with an electric pickup built in. It consts about half as much as the cheapest Deering six-stringer.

Murray

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 10:19 AM

I have played with a few 6 string banjos, from time to time when I see one appear in a music store (I haunt most of the good shops in Dallad pretty regularly). They always seemed like fun, but I agree with Art, that as a guitar player playing a 6 string banjo, you will be disappointed with its limited abilities.

On the other hand, it has a marvelous quality for the finger picked folk blues tunes ... the way you might hear the resonator guitars used, the 6 string banjo produces a really cool,loud sound! I suspect if ya reall worked at it, you'd find a few more uses for it.

I gotta believe an guitar enthusiast would love to have one, just to play with, and add to his/her collection!

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Frank Hamilton
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 10:37 AM

My experience with it is that it depends upon what you want to use it for. It was Django Reinhardt's first instrument. The best player IMHO was Johnny St. Cyr who used it in the Hot Five with Louis Armstrong. I have tried the Deering banjo ($1,000 model) and found that I liked the tri-cone National resophonic much better particularly for early jazz band playing. There is quite a lot of archived discussion about this on alt.music.banjo (a newsgroup on-line). The best 6-sring banjo I ever played was an old Gibson trap-door (very rare) from the twenties. It had that warm St. Cyr sound and worked for ragtime fingerpicking really well.

Possibly, you might experiment with it by getting a good tubaphone Vega pot or an Ome and putting a guitar neck on it. I always thought that the best combination would be the ringing sound of a Mastertone five-string with resonator and a guitar neck fashioned to it.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 10:50 AM

I can personally recommend the GoldTone having acquired one about six weeks ago, third hand from Carl Baron (mentioned above-- it may be this banjo that Dale heard and saw!) This one came as a kit, I was told; I bought it assembled and have had to adjust the necy up and down and try different bridges to get the sound I want. I use it for playing "country ragtime" -- fingerpicked guitar and for playing Uncle Dave Macon tunes-- he recorded a couple with I believe Sam McGee with bj and bj-guitar Of limited utility-- but wonderful in the right place!

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jon W.
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 11:00 AM

I daily track the banjo section of eBay and I see quite a few 6-string banjos for sale there. I've never been tempted to buy one, I've got a guitar and a couple of five stringers anyway.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 01:20 PM

One of my musical heroes Sam McGee played a Gibson 6 string banjo (often in duet with brother Kirk on 5 string). I got Deering to make me a custom one a few years ago and paid through the nose for it. Problem was, it was TOO good! Too resonant, too loud, too heavy, too everything! I sold it and it's now owned by the Bare Naked Ladies. (if I listened to their recordings I'd know whether they've actually used it)

Johnnie St. Cyr, Danny Barker and the Rev. all played old Vegas which sounded funky and neat. I tried the Gold Tone a few months ago and it ain't bad, however I think if I went that route again I'd get a short 6 string neck made and affix it onto a Japanese pot with resonator. (shouldn't cost too much). They ARE fun.

Rick

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: unclenort
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 04:20 PM

i was reading throughthe big book of bluegrass and came across a picture of Sonny Osbourn holding a six string banjo,but not like the deering guitar type. it looked like a normal vega 5-string with an additional bass string between the low D and high G. has anyone ever seen, played, or know how to get there hands on one these? if so, how is the sixth string tuned? I'm thinking low A or B. definitely looked like a fun one to play.
thanks,unclenort

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 04:29 PM

Rick, seeing you mentioning National, I tried one once and enjoyed it. I have never seen anyone doing this but I felt that it could be a useful instrument for a guitar player that wanted to play some melody in an Irish session because of the power it had. Maybe one day I'll get one and give it a go but melody wise, my brian thinks more GDAE tuning than guitar tunings.

Jon

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: John of the Hill
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 08:00 PM

Jon, If you get out your six string, try DADEAE as advocated by Paul de Grae in his book on Irish guitar. It might fit in with thinking in GDAE. John

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: mountain tyme
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 10:39 PM

This subject has struck a chord with me. I have played a six string banjo on my off time for over twenty years. The sound I get from it attracts a crowd each time I get it out. I was widely known in the 70's up and down the east coast for this sound. I have met many great pickers I otherwise would not have met if it were not for my "Banjar". I was willed a very ornate 1921 tenor archtop upon the death of a friend. I had played a tenor in the 40's but had since changed styles. I built my own neck copying inch for inch the neck of my Martin D28 HB so the feel would be farmiliar. I used a "zero" fret nut for the "metal" sound. I inlaid a banjo bridge with stainless to match the sound of the zero fret nut. My banjar sounds as good as any 5 string I've heard. (I have a few old dandys) I have seen 6 strings from the US, Ireland, Italy & from behind the iron curtain. They all sound dull and uninteresting with no sustain. Mine is louder and has more sustain than any a 5 string. Here is why....my first try at stringing was to use a good set of phospher bronze extra lights. Result...better than any other 6 string but still muddy. I then tried singles till I got the sound I wanted. The discovery...I bought a good 12 string set...put the heavys on my guitar and the lights on the banjar. Result...best so far..good balance but still muddy compared to a 5 string. From what I learned thus far I continued with singles and changed the octaves by guageing. I now have two drones in a higher octave that allows me in standard guitar tuning to play melody & harmony in either octave at the same time and/or on the two drones alone. It now has a sound that would be an asset to any style of music you prefer to play and any guitar player can play it no matter what his style be. I & others are very happy with the sound. If any of you want more details, guages & scale length for conversion e-mail me (I am listed above) and I will dig out all the specs for you. No need to bore the kazoo players at this time. ps, I have had another play fiddle sticks as I am chording or picking with very unique results.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: lloyd61
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 11:30 PM

Thanks to all…..

I had no idea that this instrument was so well known. I have a feeling it would make a great dust collector like most of my other instruments.

Thanks again.

lloyd61

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 12:20 AM

Bare Naked Ladies "Do" Fielding's Deering??!!!! Too Kool, Rick! I looked at the notes of my BNL cd and didn't see specific instrument listed, just brand names, with no Deering mentioned, BUT...ya never know. Now I want the rest of their cd's to see if Rick's banjo is on there!**BG**

kat

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 04:04 AM

Tho' only a poor kazoo player I do find other instrument threads fascinating (even if I don't understand them!).
When I lived in Sarf Lunnon (South London) in the '70s there was a junk/antique/second hand shop called Reuben's nearby which like many of its kind never seemed to be open. It had a few dusty instruments amongst the clutter one could see throught the dirty windows which also had a yellowing poster advertising "Reuben's Banjo Museum" with no address. This has always intrigued me. Do any UK 'Catters know whether this museum still (ever?) exists. Seemed a strange place to have it. Peckham ain't Nashville!

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 09:06 AM

OME banjos out of Colorado is making a high quality guitar/banjo. They have just designed and come out with a new 12" pot with a Silverspun tone ring for this banjo, (and are also going to use it on open backs for 5 strings) which should produce a good all around tone- with a deeper bass. Contact: Tanya or Chuck at 303-449-0041 or email : [e-mail]

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 09:42 AM

Unclenort, Sonny Osborne's 6 string banjo was in essence a 5 string with a low "G", making the tuning (from 5th): High G, low G, D, G, B, D. He used it for songs like "Up This Hill and Down", and "You Ain't the Kinda Woman I Wanted". He later wrote that he lost interest in it.

Rick

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 02:21 PM

Oops - I've just noticed that it was Frank not Rick who mentioned the National. Sorry - I try to be very careful with my attributions and get annoyed when ohters make the sort of mistake that I have made.

John, I will give that tuning a try - it might work better than standard for me. I have tried tuning my guitar in fifths but regardless of what gauges of strings I use, the guitar always sounds horrible tuned that way.

Jon

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 04:32 PM

Harvey Reid recorded a CD devoted to six string Banjo called (strangely enough)Artistry of the 6-String Banjo

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Bert
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 04:40 PM

Hey skiff, is that a six string kazoo?

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Frank Hamilton
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 06:06 PM

I am a great Ome fan. These banjos have a special sound. I have a tenor Ome pot with a Bacon and Day neck and it has a bright happy quality. I bet the Ome 6-String would be the best of them all.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Dale Rose
Date: 20 Oct 99 - 11:08 PM

A good recording to look for (though hard to find nowadays) is Stone Mountain Wobble by the Hotmud Family, Vetco 503, 1974. Suzanne Edmundson (now Thomas) plays banjo-mandolin on nine of the 13 cuts and Rick Good plays banjo-guitar on five. Great Country Ragtime by my very favorite of the later stringbands!

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 03:56 AM

Nah, Bert, it's a plastic one I got in a Christmas cracker. Would get a metal one but you know they don't allow me sharp instruments in here! It's made in China, I'm damned if I can keep it in tune, but it does match the key I sing in (known as off-key). RtS

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: JedMarum
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 08:57 AM

Arnie - does Ome have a website?

Because of this thread, I went down to my local Mars music store, here in Dallas and spent an hour with a pretty, brand new Deering six string they have on sale there (for about a grand). It has been weel built. Nice neck (though a bit thin), great tuners, the hardware appears to have been beefed up for the additional pressure of the six heavier strings.

The sound is only OK. If you play a 5 string, you will be disappointed by it's lack of clarity and short resonance. It does have a quality of its own, but it is not the bright, driving ring of its 5 string cousin. I would say the sound is more like the old open back banjos.

I must say I prefer the 5 string. Even for a guitar player, a 5 string's not so hard to learn!

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Arnie Naiman
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 10:16 AM

Liam OME has a web site at www.omebanjos.com I am not sure if they list any 6 string ones on there. The site is not often updated. I think they are just starting to introduce a six string model. I can tell you that they are a small company that make many styles of banjos, and it seems that all their banjos are of professional high quality, hand crafted. Their catalogue is impressive. Liam - open back banjos resonate differently depending on the style of tone ring in the pot. Likely if it has a simple rolled tone ring, wooden tone ring, or no tone ring, the notes will not sustain for very long. (These types of banjos are popular for Round Peak style clawhammer players these days.) This Silverspun tone ring that Ome makes has good tone and sustain. I would definitely give Tanya a call for info- These folks are very approachable and friendly. OME is currently in the process of custom making me a 5 string open back, which I will hopefully be using in regular performances and on the next recording I am doing with Chris Coole.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 05:49 PM

Probably gonna get meself laughed outa this thread fer mentioning it, but I do recall that Framus (well, I thought they were pretty good back in the 60's) made a 6-string banjo. Might find one of them cheaply in a shop somewhere.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: JedMarum
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 06:29 PM

nothin' funny about Framus. There were very few low cost quality options for guitars in the 60's and 70's. Framus made a 12 string that had good tuners, had woodwork that wouldn't warp and twist, had an OK sound, and looked pretty good. I never saw their 6 string banjo, but wouldn't be surprised if they made a pretty good one.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 21 Oct 99 - 06:29 PM

Jeremiah,

I have never heard a 6 string Framus but I certainly wouldn't laugh at the idea. I have met a few Irish tenor banjo players who love Framus banjos and make them sound fantastic.

Jon

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From:
Date: 22 Oct 99 - 10:26 AM

Be adventurous. Find an OK banjo. Take the neck off. Ask any guitar repair shop if they have any old necks they don't want (usually they'll have a lot of parts they'd like to get rid of). Do a little rerigging on the neck and put it on the banjo. Get a woodworking/crafting friend to help. Might sound good, and you can see if you like it and learn something at the same time.

Good luck (I think I'm going to try this idea myself), Chet

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Songster Bob
Date: 22 Oct 99 - 02:57 PM

The last posting, about getting a used guitar neck, will not work easily, owing to the scale length of the fretboard. You'd have to lift off the fretboard, move it "out" (peghead-ward) a couple of frets, and use it that way. And you'd do a lot of rigging to get it to work. I know, 'cause I considered it once when I had a neck available. go with the commercial makers.

Deering's several models are the best, but the priciest. I've got a Goldtone (with single-coil pickup, to boot), and they have two models, of which the pricier is the better (I've got the cheaper one). There are still some others being made and sold these days, but the brand names slip my mind. I have seen 'em on the Ebay site, though, and that might be a decent way to find one at a reasonable price.

If you can find a used Gibson or Vega, those are usually pretty good, but they command "collector" prices.

As for whether they sound as good as a five-string, of course they don't, but a five-string can't sound like a guitar, either. The guitar-banjo, like the mandolin-banjo*, is a creature unto itself, unlike neither of its parents, but lovely as only an ugly child can be. Don't expect to replace the brighter sound of the tenor or five-string, but seek this hybrid for its own unique sound, and you'll do fine.

As with all special-use instruments, the guitar-banjo is not normally used for every occasion, but then, neither is the acoustic guitar, nor the fiddle, nor even the voice. Apply it like a tool to the job at hand, and use other tools when the job has changed.

Bob Clayton

* I have one of those, too, a beauty of a Vega, as well as a no-name banjo-uke. No banjo-autoharp yet, but I'm thinking of how it could be done.

Banjo-accordion, anyone?

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Songster Bob
Date: 22 Oct 99 - 03:07 PM

Speak of the Devil! Go quick, there's only two hours to go as I post this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=182279134

At your service! Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From:
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 05:57 PM

Dear Friends,

Thanks for all of these thoughts about the 6 string banjo. I found one made by Framus in a hock-shop. It took me less than nine seconds to make up my mind to purchase it...$200 Canadian dollars including a hardshell case.

I only got it about a month ago...but I really love it...so do all my friends...I love to lead people in singing and this is one great instrument to do it with.

John Vella Midland, Ontario

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: mousethief
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 06:44 PM

There was a banjo-bodied, guitar-necked beast for sale at Ted Brown's in Tacoma last time I was there (I forget what they called it). You might look them up and give 'em a ring and ask who their supplier is.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From:
Date: 21 Mar 01 - 09:44 PM

I have a 6 string banjo (guitar banjo). Some one made a guitar neck for me and I converted a cheap 5-string banjo (made in Korea, I believe). My guitar banjo sounds a little like a resonator guitar. Sounds good playing blues or anything in a minor key.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 01:57 PM

I've been playing a 6 string banjo (Goldtone GT-500, $600+, Elderlys or go to www.banjostore.com [click Goldtone] or contact [e-mail]) for a couple of years now, and I have to say its more fun than white people should have by themselves. It should definitely be finger-picked (Travis for country or reels, thumb-roll for bluegrass, or arpeggio/folk for waltzes, though a spanish roll really supports the mando guys). Do not strum this banjo in public as the combined base strings give out a Buddhist type "OMMMM" sound that works only at Gore fundraisers.

The company owner's name is Wayne out of Titusville Fla. He's busier than a duck at a cockfight, but they can do some custom work, and I'm in the process of upgrading to their GT-750 with a bell bronze pot. I've played Gibsons and Deerings, and like it or not, the Goldtone is superior in all respects, except using expensive woods (they use maple, though well done) and some high end appointments.

They include a mag pickup attached to one of the tension rods inside the banjo which makes it sound like one of those sixties surf guitars, with a thump! effect on the bass strings that actually sounds great playing off one of my partner's Stelling 5-strings. (This is not advised at Trad App jams). In fact, truth be told, sans pick-up, it sounds great in concert with any other "regular" banjo, especially when you're doing a rolling bass run underneath.

The biggest downer is the fact that the 6 string comes with a stupid name "Banjitar," and a clear plastic head (a marketing ploy to show off the pick-up). For the longest time I had a black head (ordered from Deering, with the logo removed by non-acetone nail polish remover) on it, and it looked great against the black headstock and logo. During gigs, I was frequently introduced as one of the last living black 6 string banjo players in the world. Later, based on some sound tests, I found that the Remo Fyberskin II gives the bottom end a smoothness the thinner heads did not.

The only other changes I made was a slightly higher bridge and heavier bass E and A strings, both of which worked to correct and define the bass end which, given the mix of the bands I play in, is where this banjo's grace notes are heard. For the record, I also play a 5 string, a long neck, and a uke strung tenor.

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: mousethief
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 02:04 PM

Why would a duck at a cockfight be busy?

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: John Hardly
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 11:20 PM

Coincidentally I spent the morning playing my friend's new GoldTone--Well made!!

Drop-D, Capo on fifth fret, flatpick fiddletune heaven. But take the resonator off fergoshsakes!!!

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: GUEST,Terry Rainwater
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 10:19 PM

Looks like an "old" subject, but I found it very interesting. I just rec'd my Deering MB6 after a 7 week wait (They delivered as promised) and I love the sound.. It obviously plays different than my RB3 Wreath Gibson, but I like the results better - - - I can't wait to get the next Jam to see what kind of reactions I get. It may not generate the same sound results as a 5 string, but it definitely produces a really nice sound with results that you can't get from a 5 string..

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 10:35 PM

As my wife often says to me, "You Jed, there just can never be much banjo!

Funny thing is she only says that when I'm walking out the door with the banjo.

Best wishes with the new toy. Deering makes great banjos!

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 03:35 AM

I quite like the banjo sound on the Variax 7 guitar. I bought one about three years ago. I used the mandola sound that week in the studio, its taken me three years to get round to liking the dobro and the banjo sounds.

al

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: GerryMc
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 04:12 AM



I have an Ashbury - came from Hobgoblin (UK). Check out their shops online here

Gerry :-)

Subject: RE: In search of a Six String Banjo
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 04:32 PM

Deering's manufacturing is done in our area. I have heard a couple of six-string banjos played, but to different effect than you would get from a traditionally strung instrument. They seemed a bit louder, for one thing, and a little less clear and precise when played with a flat pick. I would suggest not trying this as a substitute for a four or five string banjo, but as a thing to be played for its own merits.