17-fret or 19-fret tenor banjo?
Try both with the same short tune. A shorter scale brings the frets closer together; a longer scale changes reach and string feel. The best fit depends on the actual instrument and its setup.
By TradTabPublished Updated
- Measure this
- Scale length, from nut to bridge
- Example 17-fret
- Deering Goodtime: 21 inches
- Example 19-fret
- Deering Goodtime: 23 inches
- Either can play Irish music
- Use a suitable GDAE string set
What changes between 17 and 19 frets?
The fret count tells you how many fretted notes each string offers. Scale length tells you how far apart those frets sit. Makers can choose different scale lengths for the same fret count, so ask for the model’s measurement.
For a concrete comparison, the Goodtime 17-fret specifications lists 21 inches, while the Goodtime 19-fret specifications lists 23 inches. These are examples from one manufacturer, checked on 5 September 2026. They are not universal sizes.
| Model | Frets | Scale length |
|---|---|---|
| Goodtime 17-fret | 17 | 21 in / 533.4 mm |
| Goodtime 19-fret | 19 | 23 in / 584.2 mm |
How much closer are the frets?
For these two scales, the same fret-to-fret reach is about 9.5% larger on the 23-inch instrument: 23 ÷ 21 = 1.095. A different pair of instruments will give a different result.
The diagram compares the nut and first five frets at the same drawing scale. The spacing is calculated from equal-tempered fret positions: distance from the nut to fret n = scale × (1 − 2−n/12). It illustrates reach; it does not predict which neck your hand will prefer.
How do scale length and strings affect the feel?
At the same pitch, the same string needs more tension on a longer scale. Changing the string gauge or construction changes that comparison. Do not choose gauges by multiplying a published number by the ratio between two scales.
Deering’s string-selection guidance explains why tuning and instrument type matter when choosing a set. Confirm an appropriate GDAE set for the model before judging a banjo that currently has loose CGDA strings tuned down.
Compare the low G, fretted notes and the sound of a short phrase on both instruments. Head tension, bridge, action and playing technique can all affect what you hear or feel. Fret count alone cannot tell you which one will sound better.
A five-minute test before you buy
Check the setup. Confirm the tuning, string set and nut-to-bridge scale measurement. Try instruments that are ready to play.
Play a slow scale. Use the first five frets without forcing your wrist or gripping the neck. Notice where you need to move your hand.
Repeat a familiar phrase. Try the same phrase on both banjos at the same comfortable speed. Check fretting effort and clean string crossings.
Listen across the strings. Compare the low G and top E as well as the middle strings. A strong open note is only part of the test.
Check comfort after a few minutes. Include the instrument’s weight, balance and neck shape. If buying remotely, ask for those details and check the return terms.
Which should a beginner choose?
A shorter scale is worth trying if a longer neck makes reaches uncomfortable. A comfortable 19-fret banjo is also a valid first instrument. There is no requirement to start on 17 frets and graduate to 19.
Choose the instrument on which you can play a short phrase cleanly and comfortably, with a setup you understand. The first-banjo buying guide covers the wider inspection.
Questions about scale length
It depends on the model. Deering lists 21 inches for its Goodtime 17-fret. Check the manufacturer’s specification or measure nut to bridge.
A longer scale spreads the frets further apart, but setup, neck shape and hand position also affect comfort. Compare the actual instruments.
No. Fret count alone does not determine volume. Construction, setup, strings and the player’s attack also matter.
Yes, with an appropriate Irish tenor string set and setup.
Keep reading
Read the guideGDAE or CGDA? Which tuning for Irish tenor banjo
For Irish melody playing, GDAE gives you the same fingering pattern as a fiddle or mandolin, sounding an octave lower. A tenor banjo in CGDA can use it too, with suitable strings and setup.
Read the guideWhat to look for in a first tenor banjo
Most first banjos are chosen on price and spec, and most of the disappointment comes from setup and from the wrong strings. Here is what each price band actually buys, what to measure, and the two things worth more than an extra two hundred euro on the instrument.
Read the guideFive easy Irish tunes for tenor banjo, in learning order
Begin with a repeated phrase, then add jig rhythm, string crossings and longer runs. Each tune below links to one specific setting, with a skill to practise and a phrase to watch.