Duke 10 Version 3 Banjo Ukulele Review - The NEW Banjolele from DUKE - Just released

Today we take a look at the new Duke 10 Version 3 Banjo Ukulele (Banjolele). This is the latest Banjo Ukulele on the market and is one I've been really wanting to review!
Four String Strummer Promo Link - Following is the link to get the special being offered by Duke to all Four String Strummer viewers. This includes a discount on the kit as well as free worldwide shipping.
www.dukeuke.com/pages/4string
Don't forget to join our new Facebook Group "The Four String Strummers"! Lots of positive-minded Ukulele Folks to interact with!! / 6666720290056917
0:00 - 1:08 Intro
1:09 - 5:31 Features Review
5:32 - 8:54 Sound Sample Review
8:55 - 11:22 Accessories Review
11:23 - 12:36 Special Offer

[@ceciliaholcombe818]

I was just in New Zealand while on a cruise but could not get in touch with Jamie. I follow you and found this you did on the Duke. I DID...I just bought the Duke 10 and sooooo excited. Between Jamie and you, I feel I'm in good hands. I don't get home (Florida) from cruise until April 6. So ding dong excited....thank you. so much for what you do.

[@fourstringstrummer]

CONGRATULATIONS!! You are going to LOVE it! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all! Welcome to the DUKE family!! Kelly

[@DukeBanjoUkuleles]

I know you have now received your DUKE10-V3 and that you LOVE it Cecelia. Kelly and I (Jamie) are so thrilled that you have treated yourself to one, and know you are going to love it more and more as you get to grips with it over time. Thank you for choosing a DUKE10, I really appreciate it.

[@wandam3295]

Great review Kelly! Looks like a real quality instrument- gonna spoil you for others

[@fourstringstrummer]

Thanks Wanda! Yes I was quite impressed with this design. The quality is really good and the sound is great!

[@DukeBanjoUkuleles]

Thanks Wanda, it is my 'baby' so I have put a lot of care and attention into the design, playability and sound. Hope you decide to treat yourself! ;-)

[@BlessYourHeart254]

🤩🤩🤩🤩 I am so gonna get one of these as soon as I can get the cash together!

[@fourstringstrummer]

You will love it!

[@banjo-dx6mz]

Many Thanks for your reply and advice, yes it's a Tenor Banjo. I will go to the shop and see what options I have. 👍

[@fourstringstrummer]

Sounds great! Let me know how it works out - it would be interesting to know how it goes. It would be a pretty cool mega uke!

[@banjo-dx6mz]

Just put the paint brush together with double strum 👍

[@fourstringstrummer]

@@banjo-dx6mz give it a whirl - you'll love it!

[@antonpas3903]

Nice review Kelly. Well done and a beautiful instrument I must say

[@fourstringstrummer]

Thanks Anton! Yes I'm very impressed with it - the quality and the sound!

[@antonpas3903]

Is a banjolele tuned like a ukulele g-c-e-a ?

[@fourstringstrummer]

@@antonpas3903 yes it's tuned and played exactly the same way as a regular ukulele - makes an easy transition to a completely new sound!!

[@antonpas3903]

Thanks

[@bonniedavidson936]

Really nice sound. Love the looks of the Duke ! Good review.

[@Oijando]

Thanks for the review! I’ve been practicing my paintbrush and sledgehammer strums from some of your other videos and had my eye on a Duke10 v3 since they released. How’s the volume for example if played along with another uke or guitar?

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey Chad! I'd say this is a very nicely balanced instrument when it comes to volume. Some banjo ukes I've played have been REALLY loud - maybe too loud to be honest; to the point that they can irritate other people you're playing with. This one kind of hits that sweet spot where you're not going to be drowned out but at the same time not overpower the jam session. Also this one has that nice warmer, richer tone that I like - not overly "brash" or metallic sounding. DUKE'S customer service is also top notch. I'd say take advantage of the promo he's offering (link in the description) if you're considering one. It's a great deal! As far as I know I think there is still a spot or two available for the free online lessons too!

[@DukeBanjoUkuleles]

Hi Chad, I don't think I could have answered your question any better than Kelly! Hope I can welcome you to the Duke Banjo Ukuleles Family soon 🙂Jamie Houston, Owner

[@banjo-dx6mz]

Hi, I've been watching and enjoying practicing with you, calypso and double strum can't slow the video for the double strum....The thing is my 4 string banjo is tuned cgda.....can I retune it without replacing the strings to the arrangement you use it has 19 frets. Would you ever do a video showing chords for my tuning. Many Thanks loving the easy way you teach great for beginners like me❤

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hi there! Based on your tuning it sounds like you may have a tenor banjo rather than a banjo ukulele. Check the scale length (nut to bridge). Tenor banjos are generally longer than a tenor scale banjo uke - 20 or 21" vs 17". You may be able to get a set of baritone uke strings that would work. I believe they are available from certain manufacturers in gCEA tuning for Baritone (usually DGBE). High D string sets are also available for baritones - that would give you the re-entrant sound that works well with this style. Baritone ukes usually have a scale length around 19 inches so that may work if your tenor is around 20". You may want to take your instrument into a local shop and ask them what they would recommend/have available as an option. (Tenor banjos are a bit out of my "wheelhouse" with their longer scale, different tuning and chord shapes).

[@catherinecrowley7559]

Thanks for that great review, Kelly. We have just got our new Duke 10 - it’s our first banjolele after playing ukulele for several years, and we are just getting to grips with it. I wondered if you could give us any advice about adjusting the tension of the head please? I wonder if we can create greater resonance by loosening or tightening it? Would this increase volume and sustain? We will certainly be trying out your excellent strumming tutorials too - do you think the Duke 10 is best suited to clawhammer or regular ukulele-style strumming? Many thanks from a pair of new banjolele players in the UK.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Thanks Catherine! Glad you enjoyed it. Generally speaking if you tighten the head it will brighten up the tone. It's worth adjusting it to see if you can get a sound that is closest to what you like best. Obviously you don't want to go too far either way. If you go too loose it will tend to make it sound kind of dead and muddy - too tight and it can also tend to sound dead as the head won't vibrate well. (You can also damage the head if you go too tight). I'll be doing a video in the near future showing how to do it and the sound differences

[@catherinecrowley7559]

@@fourstringstrummer Thank you so much - that’s really helpful. I’ll watch out for your video!

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey Catherine! Check out the video I posted yesterday on how to tension the head. I do a "head to head" comparison of two DUKES with different tensioned heads. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5yqdXdorqeaqsUsi=DEjI-kLq6Kx9M798

[@beverlymichael5830]

What strings does this come with? I just ordered this last week. Sorry I missed your discount code offer.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hi Beverly. Congrats!! You are going to love it! I believe Jamie will be contacting you directly regarding your order/timing so stay tuned!

[@carolinem.9800]

Trying to click on link to buy a duke (to replace my Dixie) but it is not there any more!,

[@fourstringstrummer]

www.dukeuke.com/pages/4string Here you go Caroline! And thanks for letting me know!! Not sure how that happened... You're going to LOVE your new DUKE! They are so much fun!! Let me know if you have any questions!! Kelly

[@vincewhite5087]

Is this the tenor?

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hi there - yes the Duke Banjo Ukuleles are tenors.

[@imchuckmiller]

I have played a little banjo in the past and I was wondering how well this banjolele replicates the banjo sound. It's really difficult to tell from the video without a side-by-side comparison in the same acoustic settings. Most banjoleles I've heard tend to sound "tinny" by comparison. Since it comes from New Zealand, it's not like I can order one from Amazon and send it back easily if I'm not satisfied.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey Chuck - I find these ones to sound a bit more on the warmer/woody side vs some of the others I've played that tend to be a bit tinny/sharper in their sound. I'm pretty impressed with this instrument.

[@imchuckmiller]

Thanks for the quick response, Kelly. I've been learning the ukulele for the past four months but have also invested several months in learning the banjo (though I don't own one at present). I love the sound of the banjo and have enjoyed Bluegrass music for many years. So, what I'm considering is whether to pick up a banjo again (it would be an open back) and learn both instruments simultaneously or stick with just the uke for now and get a banjolele as I would only need to learn one instrument instead of two. However, the banjolele woud need to be very close in sound to the banjo. Apart from the Duke, the only other contenders I have heard come from Gold Tone and Deering. I would want it to be a tenor which rules out Deering for now. Any thoughts on which banjolele would best replicate the banjo?

[@fourstringstrummer]

If you like the more mellow sound of open back I would likely go with the Duke. I've owned a number of Gold Tones over the years and have found them to be a bit mixed. I had a closed back tenor that was good - a bit muted to my taste. I had a little gem as well. It was loud (had a resonator) and somewhat less "traditional" in styling with the acrylic rim (not to everyone's taste aesthetically). I do like the Ohana Tenors as well. They have a closed back with good sound (no case readily available - could get one off brand). I think for me right now the Duke would be at the top of the pile for me. I like the open back, the traditional look, the warmer sound, the fact that it comes with a dual passive pick up so I can plug in for gigs OR to simply adjust the sound through an amp to get the exact tone I like, it comes with an awesome custom hardshell case and strap. Further right now DUKE is offering free worldwide shipping and a discount. I also have 3 free half hour lessons to someone buying one - going through the strumming and techniques I use to get the old time sound. For the money and the package that the DUKE offers they are pretty tough to beat. Regarding learning banjo at the same time as ukulele, I would recommend learning one at a time. I would likely go the banjo uke option if you need the "banjo fix" as it's a pretty straightforward extension of ukulele. Chords are the same etc so the only real adjustment would be to strumming styles and small techniques to help you really emphasize the banjo/Old-Time sound