Our website is dedicated to helping beginning banjo players like you go from selecting the best banjo to buy to learning how to play your first songs, quickly and easily. You will learn how to choose a well made and affordable banjo for yourself or as a gift for someone else. You will get the best selections on reasonably priced models like my favorite, the best selling entry level banjo, the Jameson 5 string closed backed banjo. You will also get some basic instructions and tips so that you can start playing your new banjo right away.

How To Buy A Good Banjo

What Makes A Good Banjo?

Banjo Parts-Click To Zoom

When considering which banjo is the best for you to buy, not only look at banjo brands, but where and how they are made including the materials and craftsmanship that goes into the instrument. You will want to choose a banjo maker/supplier that has a reputation for good quality (the longer period of time the better) and top notch customer service. Just as important, think about what you need in a banjo: what fits your experience level and budget or for the person you are buying a banjo for. Do you need all the features I list here? Not necessarily. Look for getting the most you can, consider your own requirements, at the best value that you can afford.
Our conclusion is that the Vangoa 5 String, Jameson, Deering (made in the USA), Oscar Schmidt, and Gold Tone still make the best line of high quality yet affordable banjos in 2023. But, there are a few other gems out there that we have noticed and included in our reviews and recommendations.

Неrе аrе ѕоmе аttrіbutеѕ wе lооkеd fоr whеn evaluating а wеll mаdе bаnјо:
WOODS: Тhе mоѕt fаvоrеd wооdѕ аrе hаrd mарlеѕ аnd mаhоgаnу fоr thе hеаd, hаrd mарlе fоr thе nесk.
CLOSED GEARED TUNING PEGS: Mаdе оf hіgh quаlіtу mеtаlѕ аrе thе bеѕt. Сlоѕеd gеаr реgѕ kеер thеm сlеаn аnd frее turnіng.
5TH STRING CLOSED GEAR ON NECK: Маkе ѕurе thіѕ іѕ gеаrеd аlѕо, оr уоu wіll hаvе trоublе kееріng іt tunеd, аnd wіth thе соrrесt tеnѕіоn. Nоn-gеаrеd оftеn саuѕе brоkеn ѕtrіngѕ, аnd hаvе tо bе аdјuѕtеd frеquеntlу tо kеер іt іn tunе.
HIGH QUALITY METALS: Metal parts ѕhоuld bе оf thе bеѕt аllоуѕ аnd ѕесurеd wеll ѕо thаt thеrе іѕ nо "hummіng" vіbrаtіоnѕ thаt іntеrfеrе wіth thе ѕоund. NO PLASTIC!
HEADS: 12" dіаmеtеr hеаdѕ аrе thе ѕtаndаrd.
BRIDGE: А duаl wооd brіdgе іѕ thе bеѕt, wіth еbоnу оn tор (ѕtrіng ѕіdе) preferred and with mарlе bеlоw.
ADJUSTABLE PLAYER CONTROLS: Tаіl ріесе fоr ѕhаrрnеѕѕ, аnd аn аdјuѕtаblе brіdgе fоr ѕtrіng сlеаrаnсе hеіght (саllеd "асtіоn").
MULTI-PLYED RIM CONSTRUCTION: Тhе rіm hеаd ѕhоuld hаvе аt lеаѕt 3 lауеrѕ fоr thе bеѕt truе bаnјо tоnе.
FINISH: Тhе fіnіѕh ѕhоuld bе glossy (no skimping on materials to produce a well make instrument!) and frее оf blеmіѕhеѕ. Тhе pot соvеr frоѕtеd for protection.
SOUND: Тhе tоnаl quаlіtу ѕhоuld hаvе а gооd ѕhаrр сlаѕѕіс bаnјо twаng, whеthеr рісkеd оr ѕtrummеd (сlаw hаmmеr ѕtуlе). Тhе rісhеr thе tоnе, thе bеttеr mаdе thе bаnјо аnd іt’ѕ раrtѕ.
A SLIM NECK: If needed. Easier to play for smaller hands.

Open Or Closed Backed Banjo?

A new player or someone giving a banjo as a gift might be confused as to whether a closed backed banjo (the backing is called a "resonator") is better than an open backed banjo. Not usually, it depends on the brand as to whether they added any more bells and whistles or special finishes along with the resonator. Most banjo brands will have 2 types of the same banjo for sale, the open and closed versions. The closed back with a resonator just provides a louder sound, preferred by those who play to audiences where there is no amplification available. Bluegrass players tend to prefer the closed back banjo, as well. Open backed banjo players will often add a "pick up" to their banjo that is attached to an amplifier, to get a louder sound. Also, most, but not all, resonators can be removed as well. So, don't assume that a higher priced closed back banjo is of a higher quality than a cheaper open backed banjo. Look at the materials used, who makes it, customer reviews, and what kind of music you play. Check out our guide, read all the information, before you decide.

Here are some great beginner banjos to buy

Our Recommended Banjos

How Do I Set Up and Tune A New Banjo?

Learn About 6 String Banjos Here

Vangoa 5 String Banjo Bundle-Great Buy!

Want to learn more about mandolins or ukuleles?
See our other helpful buying guides:
Best Mandolin Buys and Ukulele Buying Guide

Note: Most stringed instruments ship with the bridge down, so there is no tension on the strings during transport (except for Deering who ship banjos ready to play). You might need to set the bridge up and tune it which is usually done anyway after you get your new instrument. It is not very difficult at all. (Here are instructional videos to help you set and tune your new banjo). However, if you don't feel up to it, and there is an instrument shop available near you, you might take it in to see if you have set it up properly, making sure you are getting the best sound your instrument can produce. It usually doesn't cost very much at all, and new players can learn a lot by talking to the professionals at their music store. They also might be a good resource for you for finding groups of beginners who are learning together, or others at your level, that you can join. Playing with others at your level is a great way to learn more quickly and they can be a lot of fun!

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