Expert: Jim Ryan - 2/3/2009

Question
I have what has been called a banjo-mandolin, but I can't find one like it anywhere. It has no markings. It has 14 strings and is 25 inches long. Any ideas on what this is or where I can go to find out will be appreciated.

Answer
Well, without seeing a photo of this instrument, it's kind of hard to know what it is.  Especially since it has 14 strings.  Mandolins always have 8 strings (4 sets of two strings).  Banjos have 5 or 4 strings, although one occasionally sees a 6-string banjo (these are tuned like like a guitar).

If you send me a photo, I might have some other ideas.  My e-mail address is ryanjae@auburn.edu.

Best regards,

Jim