Low G Banjolele?

Hello Uke Friends!

I was hoping to get your thoughts on low G tuning on a banjolele. I have only played on a high G. I am considering the Outdoor Banjolele and trying to decide if I get one, should I go low. Thoughts?

Thanks and happy holidays to you all!

I would play it safe and get the high-G. At the same time, order some low-G strings from Freemont. That was the brand recommended here. I got two sets on eBay. I've heard that one string is long enough for two ukes, but I put one on a tenor, and I doubt there is enough left over for another tenor - maybe a concert. Tying a knot in that metal string can be a challenge. Have a pair of pliers handy. Try the low-G. If you odn't like it, you can put the original string back on.

Thanks for the thoughts Jerryc41!

I agree with Jerry in that you need both to see which you like best of that instrument. I think the Outdoor Banjolele looks like a great instrument and one I would like to get hopefully in the near future. Please keep us informed of your findings!

I think low G would ruin the sound of a banjolele...IMHO.

I have both of mine tuned "reentrant C" CGDA. In essence, it's sound is "low G GCEA" with the E detuned one notch. I love the sound, especially on the Duke.

I asked myself the same question a little while back I thought back to varied banjo sounds I had heard growing up and decided I tended towards the warmer sound of Ewan MacColl's recordings from the 50s and early 60s that I used to listen to as a child. I wanted to avoid a more metallic or plinky sound I often run into.

I bought a banjolele but didn't like the small neck (I was used to playing a tenor uke) and the above mentioned I kept on hearing in many models.

My solution: in consultation with Jake Wildwood I searched for an old Gibson 4 string tenor banjo and had him ukefy it. I found a 1923 specimen that he cleaned and set up for me. This is the sound I was looking for (with low G) and I'm delighted with it.

Here is my instrument in more capable hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuK0nqtxQIQ

I always prefer to play low g in my Banjoele
a banjo sound with less shrill....i like it personally

Thank you all! I think I will move forward with a slight variation to Jerryc41’s recommendation. I’ll order the low g with an extra high g string. Since I wanted to try the low g I thought I could get it that way, so if I like it I can leave it (no string change needed). But if it sounds wonky, a quick string change will make it sound right.

I really appreciate the great thoughts I get from everyone on UU. Thanks!