MP3 banj-mo music files Customer Testimonials
11/08
Just introduced: Deluxe Banj-Mo! "30 Tunes for Banjo/Dulcimer" in Folk Notes MDbooks !
The Folk Notes Banj-Mo
The Folk notes Banj-Mo, pictured here, is my own original design of what is often generically called a banjimer. It's a hybrid instrument that incorporates some features of both open back banjos, and mountain dulcimers. I had previously owned a banjimer which was essentially a dulcimer with a small banjo head positioned in the lower part of the body so the bridge could sit on the head, and an opening in the back behind the banjo head. Due to the dulcimer soundbox, it sounded something in between a banjo and a loud, raucous mountain dulcimer. I wanted an instrument I could play on the lap like a mountain dulcimer,
but
with more of an old timey banjo
sound than the banjimer I owned, or a ban-jomer I had played.
It
has 3 strings, is fretted like a mountain dulcimer, and strung with the
treble string nearest the players body if played on the lap, just like
a mountain dulcimer. It has a wooden body, or frame approximately
1" wide around a 6"
Remo Fiberskyn head, and an open back behind the banjo head. The
body,
or frame of the instrument extends under the
fretboard up to the nut and
is about 3/4" wider than the fretboard on each side of it, for a
total
width of about 3" on the upper part of the body. The bodies and
fretboards are built of all natural finshed walnut or cherry.
They are constructed with 3 layers, an main body section that is
1 1/8" thick, and front and back that are each 1/4" thick. The bottom
of the fretboard
and the middle of
the solid body underneath the fretted section are
channeled(routed out)
for weight
reduction,
so it will be less top-heavy if you lean it against something.
The open
back and the top of the banjo head are the only sound outlets, and the
banjo head cavity is the only sound chamber. The Banj-Mo is 33"
long, with a
standard width fretboard, 1 1/2" wide, which
measures 23 1/2" nut to bridge, putting chords within easy
reach. Total depth of the instrument is 2 1/2" as shipped(with the bridge laid
down). The Folk Notes Banj-mo has an authentic old time mountain
banjo sound, due to the absence of either; a resonator on the back like
bluegrass banjos have, which creates piercing sounds, or a dulcimer soundbox like many banj-omers or banjimers, with their harsher
sound. With its' banjo
head in a heavier solid frame whch serves to soak up the harsh
harmonics
that a banjo head can generate, the Banj-Mo also has a more
pleasing sound and appearance than a ban-jammer, which is
a banjo head and dulcimer fretboard stuck on a board and tends to have
a 'thinner' sound and less suppression of undesirable harmonics.Banj-Mo Detail Pictures
We usually are behind or barely keeping up with demand, so email or call before clicking to buy,
and we will let you know if we can give you a projected time frame before you order a BanjMo.
Folk Notes Banj-Mo
with nylon gigbag - $300.00 
Leave
message in text box on order page for preference of Cherry or Walnut.
The weight of
the
Banj-Mo is
about 4 lbs, about the same as most fullsized dulcimers, so with quite
a bit of
weight for a
fairly small instrument, it's made to stay put while playing it on the lap like a standard lap
dulcimer.
The relatively shallow body, combined
with the absence of a wide upper bout typical to many dulcimers, also
makes
it easy to play standing up, using a strap (Force/D'Ossche
style). You adjust the strap
so the instrument is hanging about waist high, and your
hands drop right into position over the fretboard.
There is a strap button installed on the bottom and you use a string,
piece of leather, or a quick release around the peghead to attach the
strap at the top. There is a nylon cordura padded
carry bag with
a large pocket, handle, and shoulder strap for the Banj-Mo that is
almost identical to gigbags for Martin Backpackers. I
have been trying to keep several banj-mos ahead of demand, so call for
availability,
and if I don't have one when you call, it shouldn't be long before I
can have one for you.
(left)Banj-Mo with contrasting top, 1+ fret, and position dots.
The standard walnut or cherry Folk Notes Banj-Mo sells for $275.00 or
$300 with gigbag.
Deluxe Banj-Mo (right- click on picture for more detail)
We are offering Deluxe Banj-Mos with contrasting tops, position dots and fretboard overlays. Wood options are walnut or cherry bodies with maple, butternut, hickory, or cherry(cherry top and walnut body). Position dots at 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th frets. Maple fretboards are an option, as well as having fretboards that match the body. Available fretboard overlays are purple heart, rosewood, and bubinga. Optional 1½ fret at no extra charge for specially built Deluxe BanjMos, $10 to add one to an in stock BanjMo or to add to your own BanjMo later.
Deluxe Banj-Mo - $350.00 ($375.00 with gigbag, call to place an order)
Here are some short mp3 sound
files I recorded so you can hear the sound of the BanjMo played in
several different styles. All songs were recorded on the 3 string banj-mo
and
played with bare fingers except the two strummed songs, which I did using a Herdim
triangular, std. weight pick. The banjo-dulcimer techniques page at dulcimerden.net has a brief tutorial
on these playing styles, which can also be used with a banjimer.
Cluck Old
Hen
DAD tuning - drop thumb style
Battle Hymn of the Republic DAD tuning - fingerpicked
Grey Cat on a Tennessee Farm DAD tuning - strummed
Pretty Polly
DGD tuning - melody on middle string, treble & bass drones
The BanjMo Players Picture Page, a place where Banj-Mo owners can share pictures, and tell a little bit about themselves and their Banj-Mos.
If you would like
more
information, or have trouble playing the sound files and want to hear
the Banj-Mo, call and I will be glad to play it for you or answer any
questions you have. If I'm not here to answer, am teaching a
lesson,
or making too much noise to hear the phone(I wear ear protection
while running saws and routers), leave your number and I will return
your call as soon as possible.
Enjoy the music,
Dennis DenHartog
Area code 260, 220-1961
Folk Notes MD page
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