What banjo should i get

Traditional banjos have either four or five strings. Most string instruments are tuned from low to high as you move across the neck. The 5 string banjo has a drone string that starts in the middle of the neck, and is tuned higher than the other strings. The 4 string banjo is strummed with a guitar pick plectrum , and is a common feature of Dixieland bands because of its bright tone that cuts through the sound of the ensemble.

There are banjos with 6 strings. Although, whether these instruments can be considered banjos at all is a point of contention. The 6 string banjo is tuned and played just like the guitar, but achieves a banjo-like sound due to its membrane drumhead that acts as the soundboard. In recent years, the 6 string banjo has begun to replace the 4 string banjo in Dixieland bands, due to the ease of transition for jazz guitarists, and the added sound that the 2 extra strings create.

If you want to learn to play bluegrass banjo, you need a resonator. The resonator is a concave wooden piece that encircles the body of the banjo from the backside.

The purpose of the resonator is to reflect sound off its inside surface and project that sound out the front of the instrument, resulting in louder volume and brighter tone. A: In short, yes it does. You have to take each instrument on its own values.

Just because an instrument is made in the Far East does not mean that it is an inferior instrument. In general quality is relative to price. It is true that a high priced USA made banjo will be a much higher quality than a low priced Chinese made banjo.

Also, we offer some banjo brands eg. Gold Tone that are manufactured in China and finally assembled in the USA in general these banjos have improved playability.

Also consider the superb quality of Prucha Banjos made in the Czech Republic. Each one of these World Class brands has its own unique features and characteristics within its range of banjo models. It can be said that Deering is the best choice for quality relative to price in USA banjos due to the efficiency of its state-of-the-art modern banjo factory in San Diego, California, USA where Greg Deering leads a team of fine banjo craftsmen hand finishing each instrument that they build.

A: We can consider what you are wanting to trade in with us. In many cases you will get a better price by selling your banjo on ebay or by private sale.

By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More information. Advice Topics We're passionate about music, we're also highly experienced in all technical matters for the musical instruments we provide. Browse our Advice Topics. Buying Guides We know that choosing the right instrument can be a difficult decision, so much choice and so many contributing factors to the right instrument for you.

Browse our Buying Guides. Videos Our video section features snippets from Eagle Music events, award presentations, instrument demonstrations and technical advice. Browse our video section. Amps, Pickups, Cables Etc. Tutor Books Tutor Books. String Sets. Gig Bags Hard Cases. Tutor Tutor. Music CDs. Bodhran Tutor Percussion Tutor. Flute Tin Whistle. Appalachian Dulcimer Hammered Dulcimer Harp. Tutor Books by Instrument. Recorded CDs by Genre.

Tutor DVD by Instrument. Gifts for Children Novelties - Badges Etc. Other choices, like fingerboard inlay, are almost entirely aesthetic, but also factor into the decision. We recommend trying as many banjos as you can. If you can make the trip to our famous showroom in Lansing, Michigan , we have hundreds of banjos that you can take for a test drive.

Finally, don't stress too much about getting the perfect banjo right now. Your tastes and preferences will develop as you learn, and what works for you today might not be ideal down the road. Find something that you can learn on, and you can always trade it in later when it's time to upgrade.

Good luck! Item added to your cart. Check out Continue shopping. Anything else? They know the product, give good service, give you a place to come back to if you need help, and can send you to the manufacturer for further help. Enjoy the journey: Last, but certainly not least, enjoy the journey. Try out as many banjos as you can.

Ask lots of questions and note who has the answers! Those are the folks you want to help you into the wonderful world of making music! When it comes to Irish tenor banjo, it is hard to define exactly what type of banjo that is. Yes, it is a four string tenor banjo. But is it a fret or a You might have heard of or seen banjos with "scooped" fingerboards.

A banjo with a scooped fingerboard is, usually starting after the 17th fret the 18th At some point or another we have undoubtedly all experienced playing instruments with satin or gloss finishes, normally favoring one over the other. And while Banjo Shopping Advice. Think about the following: What it sounds like because you want to make beautiful music with it.

What does it feels like when you play…is it hard for you to put your fingers around the neck and reach over the fingerboard? Is it hard to press the strings to get them to touch the frets? Do they have contact info for questions? Is there any kind of manual? Do they have a website with information?