What makes a good banjo?

[Cougar]

I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I'd like to pick up a decent 5-string. I don't buy into the mocking and derision banjos often get. I think they're a pretty cool instrument!

I think I'd prefer an open-back. What make one inexpensive banjo better than another inexpensive banjo.

 

[Aarfy]

I think you read my mind - although I was humming and hawing as to whether a banjo or mandolin (consensus was mandolin is an easier transition) I just love the sound of the banjo!

cant wait to see what Advice is shared!

 

[Canard]

I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I'd like to pick up a decent 5-string. I don't buy into the mocking and derision banjos often get. I think they're a pretty cool instrument!

I think I'd prefer an open-back. What make one inexpensive banjo better than another inexpensive banjo.

If you live near any big music stores, renting might be an option open to you. And if you like the instrument, there is often a buy-out clause.

I have been guilty of mocking and deriding banjos - guilty as charged. But if I get too carried away, I go put on a Tony Trischka or Bela Fleck record, and then I have no choice but to shut up. Damn fine instrument!

There are also the guitar banjos, a guitar neck on a banjo body. Great for un-amplified public perfornaces. Bruce Cockburn used to use one when he was a busker in Paris because it could be heard over the street noise.

 

[F312]

I just tried one of those banjo's that is tuned like a guitar. I forgot the brand name but it wasn't an expensive one. Man, it was heavy. It was nice, but I'd hate to give up my guitar time to it.

Ralph

 

[Brucebubs]

Here ... I'll save you a few bucks!



p.s. I think using the words 'good' and 'banjo' together is called an oxymoron.

 

[dreadnut]

I built mine from a kit, Saga Musical Instruments sells them among others. If you don't mind ptuuing a little sweat equity into it.

 

[fronobulax]

I have been guilty of mocking and deriding banjos

IMO one thing that distinguishes musicians from posers (or maybe separates people I'd want to play with from people I'd try and avoid) is a sense of humor. I tell banjo jokes a lot. But I also tell bassist jokes and drummer jokes and tuba jokes and saxophone jokes and accordion jokes and alto jokes and soprano jokes (although a couple of those are no longer fit for polite company) etc. My only concern would be people who mock banjos and don't think they are making a joke.

 

[Canard]

p.s. I think using the words 'good' and 'banjo' together is called an oxymoron.

Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain:

When you want genuine music -- music that will come right home to you like a bad quarter, suffuse your system like strychnine whisky, go right through you like Brandreth's pills, ramify your whole constitution like the measles, and break out on your hide like the pin-feather pimples on a picked goose, -- when you want all this, just smash your piano, and invoke the glory-beaming banjo!​

"Enthusiastic Eloquence," San Francisco Dramatic Chronicle, 23 June 1865​

Bela and Tony

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Nuff said ...

 

[twocorgis]

Or you can get a resonator, which according to my luthier combines all the worst qualities of guitars and banjos rolled into one!

 

[Default]

Banjo's can also use what's called Chicago tuning. They basically tune it like the top four strings of a guitar and that makes it a little bit easier to get around with.

 

[Cougar]

Banjo's can also use what's called Chicago tuning. They basically tune it like the top four strings of a guitar and that makes it a little bit easier to get around with.

I thought that's how they're supposed to be tuned.

 

[JavelinaJoe]

I have been guilty of mocking and deriding banjos - guilty as charged. But if I get too carried away, I go put on a Tony Trischka or Bela Fleck record, and then I have no choice but to shut up. Damn fine instrument!

Don't forget Earl Scruggs. He changed banjo for a lot of players.

 

[dreadnut]

I recommend you stay with your plan of buying an inexpensive 5-string banjo. If you don't take to it, you're not out much. It's way different than playing guitar.

 

[Aarfy]

By “way different” - what would you say are the main differences? I’ve picked up a banjo or two at shops and never had time really dive in - obviously the feel, strings, size, tuning etc - but from a playing perspective - is the theory much different?

 

[bobouz]

I’m only familiar with 5-string bluegrass banjo. Two big differences: it’s tuned to an open chord, and the drone 5th string changes everything. When I learned to play guitar, almost immediately I fingerpicked in a three-finger Scruggs style (and still do). Forward rolls, backward rolls, hammer-ons, pull offs, etc. Essentially the basics of bluegrass banjo, done on the guitar. However I’ve never read music or understood theory, and for some reason I could never comfortably transition to the banjo, even after a few years of lessons. I could memorize tunes just fine, but for some reason I couldn’t intuitively be creative on the banjo. It simply wasn’t rewarding from a creative standpoint & I finally gave it up. For whatever reasons, I find the mandolin to be more intuitive & much more satisfying.

A quality banjo will be comprised of a multiply maple rim & brass tone ring, but of course the good stuff isn’t cheap. I’d recommend staying low buck in order to get your feet wet, and then decide whether you want to jump into the deep end. Good luck - and may the force be with you!

 

[Default]

I thought that's how they're supposed to be tuned.

Open G, normally.

 

[dreadnut]

and in order to capo a banjo, you need to install a 5th string capo device.

I'm with bobouz - I would recommend taking up the mandolin instead, I took to it like a fish to water. I can only play a few songs on the banjo.

The banjo is sorta like the game of golf to me - if I'm not going to get substantially better at it, I'm wasting my time and money.

 

[Yoko Oh No]

I don’t care for the bluegrassy pluckin’ banjo sound, but I have heard some recent “Americana” stuff where the banjo was being lightly strummed or finger picked as a secondary instrument and I thought it was a very nice addition to the mix of the songs. I considered getting a banjo at one time, it wasn’t the cost of the banjo that scared me away, it was the price of having most of my teeth pulled that I couldn’t afford. I’m warming up to it though

 

[Bill Ashton]

I am pretty sure its Deering that makes affordable entry-grade banjo's that are well made...

 

[Aarfy]

Ugh @dreadnut thats twice you’ve recommended mandolin over banjo - maybe I should just try both?