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| Moderated by: Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2   |
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| Tenor guitar - General - General - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Preston Approved 
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I see that Goldtone makes a tenor guitar Does anyone here know anything about it? Has anyone heard one played? The tenor guitar looks like an interesting instrument. Comments? http://www.goldtone.com/products/pages/tg-18.asp Last edited on Tue Oct 3rd, 2006 07:25 pm by Preston ____________________ My EzFolk Page: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1072 |
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Charlie Approved 
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Hey Preston I had one and it was a beautiful instrument, But it seem to me that it had no volumne and when I was playing with the group that I play with, I could not hear myself play so I sold it because of that. I had a old Harmony tenor guitar that did sound good and that was what I was comparing it with but it started to have the top and sides seperate and I sold it. If the right one came along I would buy another, but I have all the instruments I need for now except for a good 5 string banjo I am looking for. I believe that Will has a tenor guitar that he bought some where and he likes it, If he sees the post he may tell you about it I am waiting for you to get that banjo from your aunt. Charlie
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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Preston Approved
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Thanks for the feedback Charlie. After you replied, I did a search of Will's posts and found one about the tenor guitar. I have heard some recordings with tenor guitar and liked the sound and it seems it would be an easy transition from ukuleles, especially if tuned like a baritone uke. As soon as I can get away to go to Reno, I can pick up the banjo. It is stored in a shed with a whole house full of furniture and my 87 year old Aunt can't move the stuff to get to the banjo. Why are you looking for a 5 string banjo. Don't you already have one you play?
____________________ My EzFolk Page: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1072 |
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Charlie Approved
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Preston I don't have a 5 string, I just have the dulcijo banjo, I think that I want a 5 string, but I have never been able to really get the bum-ditty thing going even on a dulcijo or the ukulele, so I might want to go a tenor banjo or a tenor guitar. since I bought a new Pono Baritone ukulele, I really like it and the tuning would really go along with either tenors. I will keep on looking and decide in a week or so, I really missed a nice tenor banjo the other day that I should have bought, It was a open back tenor and not as heavy as one I bought from a friend a few months ago, He had a Ludwig tenor with a resonator on it and all metal rim and tone ring and weighed I guess 12 lbs or so and was just to heavy for me, so I sold it but it was fun to play. Charlie
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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Will Approved 
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The tenor guitar is a four-string guitar that was originally tuned in fifths, CGDA, and became popular in the late 1920s, and allowed tenor banjo players to switch over to a guitar without learning a new tuning. Decades later during the late 1950's, Nick Reynolds of the original Kingston Trio played a Martin tenor guitar tuned to DGBE. Three years ago, I bought a tenor guitar made in Korea, from Lark In The Morning, a West coast mail order dealer. It's a beautiful looking and sounding instrument. I think it's actually a plectrum guitar, because it has an auditorium-size (000) body and the regular 25.5" scale, rather than the smaller body and short 23" scale of a tenor. I also play it tuned DGBE. They sell 2 models of this tenor guitar, a $375 with a laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides, and a deluxe $475 model with a solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and abalone trim. I own the deluxe model. http://www.larkinthemorning.com/search.asp?t=ss&ss=tenor+guitar&x=23&y=10 http://www.larkinthemorning.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_GUI131_A_Tenor+Guitar_E_  Last edited on Wed Oct 4th, 2006 02:59 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Preston Approved
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Thanks for the information Will. I did a search and found your original postings regarding the tenor guitar. I really enjoy playing my Samick Baritone uke and using the same fingerings and chord shapes as my ukulele. I was just wondering if the tenor guitar would be a good addition without having to learn new chord forms, etc. I have a guitar but have not really been able to play it well. The uke has been so much easier for me than guitar, but I like the sound of the guitar with metal strings and thought this might be a good compromise. I checked out your songs here but didn't find any with tenor guitar accompainment. Do you have a sound file that uses the tenor guitar? I really enjoy your music and that of Loose Change and Friends. I especially like the voice of your lead singer. You guys play the kind of music I really like. Thanks
____________________ My EzFolk Page: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1072 |
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Will Approved
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Preston wrote: Thanks for the information Will. I did a search and found your original postings regarding the tenor guitar. I really enjoy playing my Samick Baritone uke and using the same fingerings and chord shapes as my ukulele. I was just wondering if the tenor guitar would be a good addition without having to learn new chord forms, etc. I have a guitar but have not really been able to play it well. The uke has been so much easier for me than guitar, but I like the sound of the guitar with metal strings and thought this might be a good compromise. I checked out your songs here but didn't find any with tenor guitar accompainment. Do you have a sound file that uses the tenor guitar? I really enjoy your music and that of Loose Change and Friends. I especially like the voice of your lead singer. You guys play the kind of music I really like. Hi, Preston: Thanks. I, too, originally had trouble learning to play a 6-string guitar, until I had played the baritone uke, then the tenor guitar, which has a longer neck, closer spaced strings (compared to a uke), wider frets, and steel strings. I've located some recordings with Loose Change & Friends where I played the tenor guitar: Home Sweet Home (tenor guitar lead) http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=3066&mode=song_hifi The Water Is Wide (instrumental break) http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=869&mode=song_hifi Redwing (I play the 3rd solo, following the mandolin) http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=1058&mode=song_hifi Last edited on Wed Oct 4th, 2006 01:53 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Preston Approved
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Thanks Will. That little guitar sounds just great. I was wondering how it would sound in a string band. Now I know. I think I will start saving my money. After listening to "Redwing", I searched for another version and found your other band, "Earthtones" version in a medley with "Oh Them Golden Slippers". I am assuming that's you on the autoharp. You really make it rock. Loved that Mp3. Last edited on Wed Oct 4th, 2006 12:32 am by Preston ____________________ My EzFolk Page: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1072 |
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Tim3finger Approved 
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Hey Preston I have been playing a tenor guitar for about two years now, along with bass, and a jenny baritone uke. I tried tuning it CDGA and I found the sound a little too airy, and some of the chord shapes hard to make for me ( not to mention hard to remember). So, I tuned it just like my Jenny Bari ( DGBE). Easy transition and great sound. Can kind of get lost in the mix with other guitars though. The Lark in the morning tenor that Will has is a very nice instrument, and I have never seen or heard a goldtone. My buddy and bandmate 1four5 has a goldtone Dojo, so I would guess the quality would be the same. However, if you are even a little bit crazy, like me, make your own. I had a old stella 12 fret parlor guitar that I trimmed the neck width on, slapped a new nut on it, different tailpiece, and voila, tenor guitar! Tim Attachment: zoo.jpg (Downloaded 114 times) Last edited on Wed Oct 4th, 2006 08:17 pm by Tim3finger ____________________ Tim "Trying to give back a little of what I've been given" |
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Preston Approved
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Tim, Making a tenor from a regular guitar is an interesting idea. I have a cheap guitar I bought on E-bay that was made in Rumania (Montana brand). It is smaller than a regular guitar, perhaps "parlour" size. 36" from top of headstock to bottom edge. 12 @1/2" from nut to guitar body. twelve frets on neck and 7 more on the body, and 3 @3/8" deep I am a woodworker. Can you tell me how you narrowed the neck of the quitar and by how much? Did you remove the neck from the body? If so how? If not, how did you do it? Thanks for a reply.
____________________ My EzFolk Page: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1072 |
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Tim3finger Approved
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Preston, I started with the neck width I wanted, which was 1 5/16". Removed old nut Layout neck width on neck at nut ( fine point sharpie ) The neck got larger toward the body, so I ran paralell lines from the nut to the end of the neck. Carefully cut through all frets with dremel tool and abrasive cut off disc. ( not the flimsy ones in the dremel kit, but the nice fiberglass ones at Lowes) Since I did not take off the neck, the next step was the tough part. I freehand cut the neck width with a jig saw and a 32 tooth blade. A little wavy, but cutting outside the lines left me with plenty of sanding room. The portion of the neck on the body was cut away with the aforemention Dremel setup. Again, carefully. Slot and install new nut ( slots were eyeballed TLAR ) If the guitar has bridge /saddle combo, the middle four holes will probably work okay. I do like the Stella because it has the floating bridge and tailpiece. Sand and shape neck/headstock area - sand and shape neck to the contour you like ( stay on the thick side if no trussrod ) - add a little stain and clear finish String it up ( I use .010's ) and Play, Play, Play Don't even ask about the cutaway I put on mine. It looks cool, but the work involved is not worth it. As you can see, I used rudimentary tools, lots of TLAR, and modest skills. If you are a woodworker, you` should be able to do a much nicer conversion. Let me ( us ) know how it goes. Tim
____________________ Tim "Trying to give back a little of what I've been given" |
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Will Approved
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Charlie: I have a Lark In The Morning tenor banjo that comes with a removeable resonator. The tone ring is made of wood, and it's really light for a resonator banjo (weighs less than Ron's open back banjo from Loose Change & Friends). It sells for about $255. I tuned it to DGbe (baritone uke tuning), using a combination of tenor banjo strings (those are meant for the original CGDA tuning) and 5-string banjo strings (dDGbd). http://www.larkinthemorning.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_BAN006_A_Tenor+Banjo_E_  Here are some recordings I've made with the above instrument: Take Me Out To The Ballgame - http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=1008&mode=song_hifi Sloop John B - http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=1007&mode=song_hifi Jingle Bells - http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=297&song_id=3333&mode=song_hifi Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out -http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?band_id=245&song_id=5017&mode=song_hifi Last edited on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 05:16 am by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Charlie Approved
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Hey Will, Thanks for the reply, I have decided on the tenor banjo, Gold tone has one that I really like and it is a 17 fret Irish tenor and I can tune it to mandolin gdae or DGBe, That way I will not have to relearn a lot of chords I really enjoy listening to the music of ( Loose Change and Friends ). It has been the number one group that I listen to the most I think. I like the music that all of you play and sing. I will let you know how the banjo comes out when I recieve it , Will order it today. http://www.janetdavismusic.com/gt-it-1.jpg Charlie
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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Will Approved
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Thank you, Charlie. That Gold Tone Irish tenor banjo looks like a really nice one. Have a lot of fun with it when it arrives in the mail!
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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ronpres2 Approved
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Preston, Will, etc.......I am interested in a tenor guitar, but choked when I saw the prices of some of them. Then i saw the baritone ukes, read your converstaions, and heard the tape of your tenor. But I have never seen or heard the sound of a baritone uke. Does it sound similar to tenor guitar? It seems that one could be bought for a lot less than the guitar. Thanks for answers from anyone. Ron 
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Will Approved
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Although I play both instruments with the same DGBE tuning, the baritone uke is a much smaller instrument with nylon strings; the tenor guitar is a small body guitar with steel strings. They sound distinctly different from each other - the baritone uke softer and mellower, the tenor guitar brighter and louder. Here's a comparison of their recorded sound: Polly Wolly Doodle (Loose Change & Friends, tenor guitar and banjo solos) http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?mode=song_hifi&band_id=245&song_id=942 Shady Grove (solo baritone uke) http://ezfolk.com/audio/play.php?mode=song_hifi&band_id=297&song_id=2613
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Will Approved
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For 2008, Martin Guitar has brought back a production model of their tenor guitar, a model not offered since the early 1960's, making available vintage Martin O-18T tenor guitars very expensive ($1500 and up). This new model will be based on Martin's affordable LXM ("Little Martin") platform, and will have a 4-string tenor neck. From what I've read, it will be tuned to DGBE, in the same tuning used by Nick Reynolds of the original Kingston Trio. It will be selling for about $449: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/LXMTEN.htm 
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ |
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Charlie Approved
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Hey Will, Thanks for finding the Martin Tenor guitar as that maybe what I have been looking for, I have a Martin dealer close that plays in our Saturday night group and I will talk to him about maybe ordering me one. I have been useing one I have built from a regular guitar and it has been working OK, But it would be nice to have a factory built Martin guitar. I am sure it is built in Mexico or China, But that is where most are built and some of them are working out OK for the money. Thanks again for finding the infomation Charlie
____________________ Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/charlesculbertson |
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Preston Approved
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Will, the price on this is good but I wonder about the guitar body, back and top being made from high pressure laminate. Do you have any idea how this sounds? Have you played a Little Martin madfe of this material? I have played a Martin with a phhl body but is had a solid spruce top. Compared to the Lark in The Morning or Goldtone, which are comparable in price, I wonder if the Martin can compare in sound. Any thought on this? I have made my own tenor from a cheap 0 body guitar and it sounds ok, but the intonation beyond 1st position is a little sharp. I really want a tenor guitar but can't find a good one. I see a lot of Kays and Stellas on ebay, but a good quality used tenor guitar is well beyond my budget.
____________________ My EzFolk Page: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1072 |
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