Convince me to buy a tenor guitar

drofluf Frets: 4514
15 Dec, 2024
I have an itch for a tenor guitar and have found a couple I like the look of but:

- I only fingerpick and already have some nice acoustics so will I get a different sound?

- I’d probably just end up playing the same tunes on a different instrument 

- I don’t want to spend too much so it probably won’t sound as good as what I have


So I really need reasons to buy one
Comments
MartinB Frets: 272
15 Dec, 2024
Counterpoint - what about a tenor banjo? You can use most of the same tunings but the sound will take you somewhere different than guitar.
drofluf Frets: 4514
15 Dec, 2024
My other concern was that it might be a gateway drug to the banjo :lol: 

Joking aside, I’m not really looking for a banjo type sound, rather something more mellow. 

But thanks for the thought
mgaw Frets: 5638
15 Dec, 2024
Open back banjo with a wood tone ring and gut strings is a very cool mellow sound, far removed from a typical banjo
barnstorm Frets: 773
15 Dec, 2024
They’re great fun, and encourage you to play quite differently even if you stick with DGBE. Playing the same tunes is fine - figuring out how to rearrange things for only four strings is its own reward.

I like them enough that my last six-string was sold a few weeks ago, although I don’t intend to remain without one - just haven’t found the right replacement yet.

Only word of caution is that IME after spending a lot of time with tenors a six-string can feel a bit unwieldy. Might not be a problem for you, though. I’ve just never been someone who can go weeks without practising and pick up again exactly where I left off, so I’ve found it hard to keep up my six-string chops since I started playing tenor and picked up the ukulele again, too. Just don’t have enough practice time.
octatonic Frets: 34552
15 Dec, 2024
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
drofluf Frets: 4514
15 Dec, 2024
Well my mind was pretty much made up when I started this thread. And then I found a nice Ashbury on eBay…
MSedg Frets: 213
15 Dec, 2024
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
Bit specific, that.
octatonic Frets: 34552
15 Dec, 2024
MSedg said:
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
Bit specific, that.
I panicked.
drofluf Frets: 4514
15 Dec, 2024
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
Well I bought one, if only to protect them from @octatonic’s ministrations. 
drofluf Frets: 4514
15 Dec, 2024

MSedg said:
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
Bit specific, that.
Not really. 

Too vague if anything. I have two dogs :)
octatonic Frets: 34552
15 Dec, 2024
drofluf said:
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
Well I bought one, if only to protect them from @octatonic’s ministrations. 
Let me say that I wouldn't personally bone your dog.
Beelzebub would have.
MSedg Frets: 213
15 Dec, 2024
I might buy one just in case, my dog’s looking concerned 
drofluf Frets: 4514
15 Dec, 2024
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
Well I bought one, if only to protect them from @octatonic’s ministrations. 
Let me say that I wouldn't personally bone your dog.
Beelzebub would have.
Are you saying my dogs are ugly? :lol: 
octatonic Frets: 34552
15 Dec, 2024
drofluf said:
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
octatonic said:
drofluf said:
So I really need reasons to buy one
Buy a tenor guitar or I will summon beelzebub and instruct him to bone your dog.
Well I bought one, if only to protect them from @octatonic’s ministrations. 
Let me say that I wouldn't personally bone your dog.
Beelzebub would have.
Are you saying my dogs are ugly? :lol: 
Not at all.
I just see them more as friends, than lovers.
GTC Frets: 276
16 Dec, 2024
Why not take the chance - they are only a tenner (tenor)!
I actually found a very nice luthier-made left-handed fan fret tenor (taking the novelty to a new level) on Reverb. I don't play it that much, but enjoy it when I do. The different tuning gives a completely different scope and sound. I play fingerstyle.
drofluf Frets: 4514
16 Dec, 2024
Well they’ve gone up a bit since you bought yours :) but I found an Ashbury on eBay that’s on its way. 
GTC Frets: 276
17 Dec, 2024
Well - I have to admit that mine was a lot more than a tenner - but it is a lovely thing. Here's the Reverb listing from which I bought it. https://reverb.com/uk/item/83967452-chapel-guitars-custom-tenor-guitar-left-hand-fan-frets-2018-english-walnut
drofluf Frets: 4514
17 Dec, 2024
GTC said:
Well - I have to admit that mine was a lot more than a tenner - but it is a lovely thing. Here's the Reverb listing from which I bought it. https://reverb.com/uk/item/83967452-chapel-guitars-custom-tenor-guitar-left-hand-fan-frets-2018-english-walnut
That is very nice. Although with the fan frets the neck looks banana shaped! I’m sure it’s not :)

Currently watching the live tracking on mine as it edges slowly towards me.