Mandolin-banjo

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The mandolin-banjo should not be mistaken for the banjolin, though their names are sometime interchanged. The mandolin-banjo is also known by its French name, "banjoline," but should not be confused with the Banjoline designed by Peabody. The instrument was popularized in the 1920's when musicians commonly amplified instruments to play louder.

A Vega mandolin-banjo ca. 1920

In the heyday of mandolin orchestras and banjo bands (late 19th–early 20th century), all sorts of instruments were produced. The mandolin-banjo is one of the hybrids that resulted. The instrument adds the banjo's volume to the mandolin; unlike the banjolin, the mandolin-banjo retains the mandolin-style stringing in courses (with double strings).

Mandolin-banjos have the same scale length as a mandolin (35 to 37 cm); the 4 courses are tuned identical to the violin and mandolin (low to high: GDAE). It is tuned and played the same as the mandolin, and has four equally tuned pairs of strings, with the bridge resting on a resonant banjo-like 5 to 8 inch skin head.

Banjo Mandolins have been made by several companies, most notably Gibson, but also by the English company Windsor, building and selling 4 and 8 string Banjos in the early 20th Century. Modern Banjo Mandolins are currently sold by Vintage. It is no longer commonly played and has become very rare with prices ranging from around US $200 to US $700.