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There is no way to achieve that old-fashioned Appalachian sound without a banjo, so if you’re looking to try your hand at a little bluegrass, there are a few things to keep in mind when buying your first banjo.
The best banjos come in a few different types, but the specific twang most associated with the instrument (at least in Americana) is produced by the five-string banjo, with five strings normally tuned to a G-chord. The fifth string is shorter than the others, and is attached to a tuning peg sticking out of the side of the neck.
Another common banjo variation depends on whether the instrument is classic and open-backed, or closed with a resonator covering, which helps project sound farther and tends to be preferred by bluegrass players.
What Are the Best Banjos?
The best banjos should be lightweight yet durable, with comfortable strings and a heady, consistent sound. To test the quality of the instrument, press down on the string along the length of the fingerboard — they should easily contact the frets without hurting your fingers. When strummed, the sound should be clear and without buzzes or rattles, and tuners should have their mechanisms enclosed. On five-string banjos, a geared fifth string tuner is usually preferable.
Tuning: Geared tuners are best for beginners as they allow for easy tuning and can prevent the banjo from falling out of tune.
Material: Maple, mahogany, and walnut are all common banjo materials, which each lend the instrument a slightly different sound. Maple can produce a sharp tone while mahogany can sound much warmer. Walnut banjos fall somewhere in the middle of the two.
Resonator vs Open Back: An open-back banjo has no back cover, which creates an open sound chamber. This is a classic banjo design, which produces a low-volume, mellow sound perfect for traditional mountain-style. A closed-back banjo has a wooden resonator covering the sound chamber which projects sound toward an audience. Resonator banjos sound bright and twangy, and are the preferred choice for bluegrass players.
Adjustable Features: Some banjos come with features that can be modified as you see fit. For example, some have a removable resonator, allowing you to play the instrument in both styles, or an adjustable truss rod which keeps the neck straight according to individual needs.
