Selecting the best banjo brands can be quite challenging for beginners. Luckily, the best beginner banjos are often very affordable, but you need to do thorough research to ensure that you get what you require from your banjo. There are some factors and certain things to look out for that will help you in your search for the perfect beginner banjo.
- Number of strings
- Wood type
- Type of banjo best for beginners (electric or acoustic)
- Weight and size of the neck
- The shape of the body and good workmanship
It is also very important to consider the hand you play with before buying a banjo. There are both right-handed and left-handed banjos in the market, so be sure you know which is best for you before making that buy.
This guide offers a rundown of your top 5 best banjo brands for beginners and objective reviews that will help you select the perfect fit.
5. Five-String Banjo 24 Bracket with Closed Solid Back and Geared 5th Tuner
The 5-String Banjo 24 Bracket comes at a low price and has a solid mahogany back. For easy playing up and down the neck, it is designed with slim, fast necks. It also has adjustable truss rods and a wide range of specifications to meet your requirements.
There are general features like the 3-ply Maple Rim, 5/8″ Hard Maple Bridge, Rosewood Fretboard, and mahogany Resonator with thumbscrews. Other features include; Solid Resonator Back (multi-piece), 24 Brackets # Nickel-plated armrest and Mahogany Neck.
This banjo is fun to play on, it is beautiful, and also sounds really nice. It is ideal for both lefties and righties and for beginners as well. It comes well-packed with the necessary tools and instructions. It sounds like a banjo should once tune-up. If you want to play open back, you can easily remove the banjo resonator.
I won’t say the tuners are the best because a screw can be found only on the geared up 5th string tuner to tighten it but then considering the price, I don’t think this is an issue. It has got a straight neck with nice frets.
You will be impressed with this full-scale banjo.
4. Pyle 5-String Geared Tunable Banjo
This banjo is made of wood and has a high-gloss finish accented with chrome-plated hardware and white jade machine head tuner key pegs. It is designed with mahogany back, side and neck. It also has a maple Wood bridge and a rosewood fingerboard.
It produces unique classic tones of a traditional 5 string banjo and is perfect for folk, country, some modern rocks and bluegrass. It is designed to sound very nice. A geared 5th tuner, a premium feature usually found only on more expensive banjos, which is also a major upgrade over the common friction tuner, is available.
The banjo’s full scale and lightweight make it ideal for camping, hiking, traveling and going to the beach. It is designed after the models of the early 20th century and this probably explains the vibrant singing banjo tone it produces in any situation.
Pyle 5-String Geared Tunable Banjo features the traditional-style binding design. Quality components like rosewood fretboard, REMO M1 drum-head, and shabili wood body were used in its construction. The quality of the fretboard and resonator is immaculate and scratch-free and setting it up is very easy
Whether you are a pro or a beginner, this banjo will do just fine.
3. Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo
The Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo features a 22-fret rock maple neck, geared tuning machines, with 5th string included and hardwood bow-tie inlays. It also features a 5/8-Inch maple/ebony Goodtime bridge that has an adjustable Deering tailpiece, three-ply, high crown head and 11-inch maple rim with steel tension hoop. The round wood part of the banjo is the “rim”.
It has nickel-plated metal parts and the blond maple is finished in elegant satin. Adjustment is made easy with the single coordination rod. The maple and ebony bridge rests on an easily adjustable 11 inch, top-frosted head. The Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo is an open-back banjo and weighs just 4lbs.
With a slender, low-profile neck, this banjo is easy to finger and also comfortable, convenient for small and large hands. The precise and accurate fretwork guarantees correct intonation over the whole fingerboard.
The string height on this banjo can be adjusted by easily moving the single coordinator rod in the pot and this adjusts the play-ability effectively so that the strings are close to the fingerboard and thus making it easy to press down.
2. Deering Goodtime 2
This low priced high-quality banjo is slightly different from the Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo. It features sealed geared tuners, adjustable tailpiece, and slender rock maple neck. Other features include Three-ply maple rim and Single Bound Maple Resonator. More projection of sound is provided by a resonator back in the Goodtime 2.
The Deering Goodtime 2 5-String Banjo is made in the United States of America with the same tooling used to make other top-notch banjos. This is a fantastic banjo! It produces wonderful sounds with a very crisp and warm tone. The banjo is perfectly constructed and it doesn’t require much pressure to fret the strings. It also has an extremely smooth neck.
Even without a truss rod in the neck and tone ring, the Goodtime 2 still surprisingly sounds fairly bright and nice. It is a great banjo for beginners, plays well and is also easy to play. This will make a really good banjo investment. This perfectly handcrafted banjo is outstanding. Think of The Deering Goodtime 2 5-String Banjo as a friendly banjo and not just a beginner’s banjo. It’s a huge difference compared to the cheaply made one.
1. Martin Smith BJ-001 5
This high-quality banjo was designed and constructed of the finest materials. The fingerboard is made of rosewood and the sides and back are made of high-gloss mahogany, while the bridge is made with maple. This well-crafted instrument features a 5th Peg Tuning, a Remo Banjo Head that guarantees a premium-grade sound at a reasonable price.
Other features are the Remo Skin Head, High Gloss Mahogany Back and Sides and a two-way truss rod. It also includes a Padded Gig Bag that will keep your banjo safe from dings and bumps. This banjo is good for practicing at home, but then you can as well decide to take it on the road.
For any musical fanatic, The Martin Smith 5 String Banjo is an ideal addition. Of the banjo family, this one is the closest to the guitar and can be tuned like the guitar thus making it easy for a guitarist to switch to the banjo. It functions and is tuned like a guitar and sounds like a banjo.
The instrument produces an authentic twang and the fretboard functions adequately. It also has a nice feel to it and has a decent heft. Although the picking technique might be the hardest part of playing this instrument, it is still a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
- Traditional style: This 5-string banjo is perfect for any style of play with its guitar-style headstock and neck combined with a tambourine shaped...
- Remo head: This banjo kit is flawlessly designed with a Remo head, made by the world-renown Remo drum company. The crisp white, frosted head delivers...
- High-quality craftsmanship: Ashthorpe's banjo features a mahogany neck and purpleheart fretboard with finely manicured, smooth seated frets. The body...
- Geared 5th tuner and adjustable truss rod: This 5-string banjo also includes a geared 5th string tuner, typically found on more expensive banjos. The...
- Banjo bundle kit includes: This banjo is safely stored inside a 15mm premium fabric padded “gig bag” guitar case with pocket, carry handle, and...
- Remo Drumhead 5 String Banjo- the drumhead of Donner banjo is from the professional drumhead supplier - Remo, contributing to a warm, full and clear...
- Quality Material Banjolele- Mahogany neck, sides and back have beautiful wood grain, hard and not liable to warp or corrode, making the banjo durable.
- 24 Bracket Banjo- Donner Banjo's 24 high-quality Brackets stabilize the drumhead, resulting in a crisp sound.
- High Gloss Finish - Donner banjo uses a fine bright paint for a shiny texture and a smooth touch, giving you a comfortable playing experience.
- Full size Banjo Kit for Beginners -All accessories, including banjo picks, gig bag, tunner, ruler and truss rod, are suitable for banjo Beginner.
- ♪ Remo Head: This open back banjo kit is flawlessly designed with a Remo head, made by the world-renown Remo drum company. The professional retro...
- ♪ Sound - The open back produces a more mellow, softer sound, and since the sound chamber rests against the player, some of the sounds are absorbed...
- ♪ Adjustable Bracket - 24 brackets ensure even head panel tension to fusion melodious percussion timbres by gently beating on the head, It can be...
- ♪ Geared 5th Tuner and Adjustable Truss rod: This 5-string banjo also includes a geared 5th string tuner, typically found on more expensive banjos....
- ♪ Mulucky Banjo Kit: The 5 string banjo kit comes with a full-size banjo x1, spare strings set x1, tuner x1, tuning wrench x2, fingerpick x4, strap...
- ♫【HIGH-QUALITY REMO DRUM HEAD】Selected banjo panel will produce a sweet tone, ensuring clarity sound. Proper bridge setting can stay stable when...
- ♫【SUPERIOR MATERIAL】Black walnut fingerboard and bridge, sturdy and stable, make the sound more layered. Sapele sides and back have beautiful...
- ♫【ECONOMICAL KIT WITH FREE LESSONS】Our pack is constucted with bag, digital tuner(battery not included), strap, strings, picks, hanger and...
- ♫【GEARED 5TH TUNER】It is important for both tuning and playability, bringing you the classic tones and perfect for country, folk, bluegrass and...
- ♫【THICKENED BAG for BETTER PROTECTING】An thicker bag will protect the banjo better, making it a great idea to take for traveling, camping,...
- COMPLETE BANJO SET: Pyle brings you an all-in-one banjo set, everything you need to start playing. Comes w/ a gig bag, digital tuner, spare strings, 3...
- PROFESSIONAL FULL SIZE : 38.6” instrument features a tunable 5-string banjo with 24 brackets and 22 frets, equipped with a classic traditional style...
- HEAVY DUTY HARDWARE: This complete all-in-one standard acoustic banjo starter kit is equipped with a geared 5th string tuner and high quality remo...
- ADJUSTABLE TRUSS ROD: Features adjustable truss rod & pearl color tuner pegs w/ additional 5th geared tuner side-peg. Adjust the truss rod can balance...
- SAPELE WOOD: Features a rich and polished Sapele wood resonator, high-density man-made wood fingerboard, and remo milky skin banjo top, it is designed...
- 6-String banjo: This 6-string banjo is tuned similarly to a standard guitar and is perfect for those who want to cross over from playing the guitar to...
- Premium craftsmanship: Crafted from the finest woods, with a 5-ply maple and mahogany shell, mahogany neck, closed back mahogany resonator, as well as...
- High-quality design: Jameson's banjo features a Remo Weatherking drum head, a 5/8-inch maple ebony bridge, a chrome plated armrest, an adjustable...
- Beautiful tone: The design behind this banjo and the chosen materials enable it to produce an eloquent, rich tone. It offers distinctive and beautiful...
- Sold as a package: Included with this 6-string banjo is a deluxe 15mm padded gig bag for secure carrying and storage. In addition, this guitar case is...
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FAQ:
Q: Who makes the best banjo?
A: – Best Beginner Banjo 2023 Buying Guide 1. Resonator vs. Open-back 2. How many strings? 3. Type of wood 4. Other parts of the “pot” 5. … – The Best Banjo Brands for Beginners Rogue Ibanez Epiphone Fender Deering – What is the Best Beginner Banjo?
Q: Who makes the best banjos?
A: The best high-end brand. Deering Banjo Company makes all kinds of wonderful instruments, but as their name would suggest, banjos are its forte. The company has been around since 1975 and throughout the years they’ve earned themselves a reputation for creating great sounding, high-quality instruments.
Q: What are the best banjo brands?
A: Deering. Not all banjo brands are exclusive,meaning they often manufacture other instruments as well. … Gold Tone Musical Instruments. Gold Tone is a company that has been around since 1993. … Recording King. Recording King started as an in-house brand of Montgomery Ward in the 1930s. … Ibanez. … Jameson. … Epiphone. … Oscar Schmidt. … Rogue. … Pyle. … Rover. …
Q: What is the best beginner bluegrass banjo?
A: Vangoa Five-String Banjo We consider this Vangoa an ideal starter banjo. … Jameson Guitars Five-String Banjo We love how beautifully-made this banjo is,with 24 brackets,a maple bridge,adjustable hinged tailpiece and chrome-plated armrest. … Costzon 5-String Banjo