Mandolin-banjo John Farris for an instrument with 8 strings. The Farris banjolin was offered in soprano, alto, tenor, and bass models. However, he "converted it to a four-string instrument," maintaining the mandolin and violin scale length and tuning (GDAE). Banjo hybrids normally take their names from the Banjo- prefix, and then the second half of the other instrument's name, such as banjocello, banjo guitar, and banjolele which implies the banjolin is a sort of mandolin/banjo hybrid. In the advertisement, Farris did not mention where the name came from, but did say that it was "fingered like the violin." Banjolins should not
Classical Mandolin Society of America a Convention in a different city in North America each year. Among other functions, the CMSA Convention hosts an En Masse Orchestra, which for its brief existence each year, is the largest mandolin orchestra in the United States, and has historically included as many as 180 musicians. The CMSA serves as a source of information about how to find or create mandolin ensembles around the United States, Canada and the world. The organization is staffed by unpaid volunteers and is structured with Officers of the corporation (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), and a Board of Directors, which currently has