Banjo Ukes / Banjoleles

The banjo ukulele (also called a banjo uke, banjolele or banjulele) is a popular 4-string musical instrument that likely originated in the early 1900’s. It features a small, banjo-type body with a fretted ukulele style neck. Banjo ukes can have open-back and closed back designs, as well as resonators similar to those on many banjos. Banjoleles are fun instruments that combine the traditional Hawaiian ukulele’s small size, tuning, and easy playing style with the distinctive look and tone of an American folk banjo. The necks follow the same scale length as their ukulele cousins, with 16 frets on the popular soprano size instruments and 20 on concert models. Like many standard ukuleles, new banjo ukes typically come outfitted with nylon strings. Some banjo ukulele players will also occasionally use a wound third string. The banjolele is most commonly tuned GCEA (or "C Tuning"), though ADF#B with a re-entrant 4th string ("D Tuning") offers players another option and tonal range.