Good advise based off volume. But if you only have enough money for one, buy the open back, it's cheaper when money is tight. Also, where you practice plays into it. If you're a beginner and have family in the same house, they will appreciate the open back banjo over a resonator also.
It's easy. If you're playing professionally get a professional grade banjo with lots of volume and a good tone. If you aren't professional and are just playing for yourself, get the banjo that pleases you the most when you hold and play it. And holding it is important, because the pro grade banjos are heavy. I ended up with a synthetic strung banjeaurine. Good for mountain style, three finger style and classic parlor music.
Thank you very much, Im 23 and I plan on getting a banjo for the first time and i am very scared the chords instruments would be eally hard to learn, but seeing you explain and teach makes me want to learn even more.
Thank Jim... that pretty much answered my question... and I know that the resonator can actually be removed from most banjos with just a few screws.. although I probably wouldn't bother.
Just buy the resonator banjo, you can take the resonator off whenever you want and have an instant open back banjo. Two in one. That's what I do. works great.
This topic is interesting to me. Somewhere along the lines it was widely theorized that openback banjos were more suitable for clawhammer, while resonator banjos were more appropriate for bluegrass. I'm not the world's most experienced banjo player, but I always thought it all came down to which banjo sounds the best to you, and is it comfortable when you get your hands on it. I'm a bluegrass picker, and I recently got a Deering Americana 12 inch banjo. This is an instrument that is touted for being more suited for clawhamer, but I chose it because I like that mellower, plunky tone. I often how I wondered what I could adjust on my Gretsch Dixie openback to get it to sound mellower and fuller, and my answer came in the form of a 12-inch head, and the specs that followed suit. I'm glad I didn't end up modifying it in any way, as it is a wonderful instrument and a great value for your money, regardless of application. A sales rep also pointed out that my playing banjo across my lap (Jeff Healy style) could also have an impact on the tone, as the skin is now facing upwards instead of outwards. There's my 2 cents, even if they don't make pennies anymore
Thank you Jim.The trouble is I can only afford one Banjo and the Record Kings sound Fab for Bluegrass (in your hands anyway ) . The scale lengths seem similar so I am tempted to give it a go. ...... Bye Bye Blues.
Good advice. You can always play up the neck with your right hand to mellow it out. I often wonder if I'm in a claw hammer jag, putting a different mellower head on it. If I thought ahead, I even suppose there are banjos that are designed so the resonator can be taken off without leaving that sawtooth around the pot.
I find the resonator banjo holds its position better than many open backs, which tend to be "divers." The neck and headstock take a dive because that's where the weight is. Heavier resonator instruments hold their position and that's worth a lot when you're trying to play it without supporting the neck with the left hand.
I disagree. I’ve never encountered a “diver” open-back banjo, and while I’m not the world’s leading expert, I have held more than a few. Also, if anything, I find the resonator to be slick and pretty much require a strap to keep the neck from falling. I don’t know... either way, I wouldn’t say it’s a factor in deciding which style to buy.
You answered my question. I am a beginner, and I want to get into jams. I think the resonator banjo would be able to hold its own against the violins as it can pump out a lot of volume.
Wife is buying me a banjo because I am "an English hillbilly" 😂 Looking forward to starting learning so information like this will save me wasting money, thanks
Having just one banjo is like having just one pair of pants. I have my 5 string resonator, my 10 string open back, and I'll be getting another 10 string, but a resonator.
What a coincidence. Here I am on vacation in Peru four years after your post. Here, with my wife visiting her relatives in Ica. So happens I'm window shopping for a cool instrument to add to my studio, and will try to have it shipped to my home in Pennsylvania within a day after I return. I was also considering a dulcimer. Keyboard has been my main instrument since 1984.
The problem I'm facing is I'd like to learn bluegrass, but also play Irish trad, which does the fiddle lines. I'm reading that for trad, I'll need a four string. Is there any advice you can give me, please?
Hello Jim. I have enjoyed watching your videos. I am looking into trying to learn the banjo. However, do you recommend a beginner banjo that will not break the piggy bank per se? I hate the thought a person must spend $700-1000 for a banjo. Any inputs you can give will be appreciated. Thank you for your time and efforts.
Hay Jim , I posted a question on your squirel hunters clip and thought I'd post one here too.To keep it short, I'm looking for an armrest for my new 12 inch ramsey special , what kind of armrest are you using on your banjos and would it fit a 12?
Jim do you think the recording king resonator 5 string style banjo would be good for dixieland style plectrum playing.... providing you could somehow mute the 5th string?
I'm probably the last person that could answer that. Years ago I had to play plectrum briefly during a musical - i just wound up taking the 5th string off for the performance. Still, it would be better to have an actual plectrum.
I'm looking to get a banjo in the next few months...my issue is that I am left handed, and just looking on YT here for beginning lessons, even though it says left handed, everyone is holding it right handed...what's up with that? ....and I am on a fixed income and want to find a Good banjo but not insanely expensive....can you tell me a good one to buy as it will be the only one I will have....one with a resonator please....thanks :)
@@JimPankey no I don't I'm a newbie. I have always wanted to learn to play the banjo though. Hee Haw was always a fave in our house growing up :) I have one in mind from Guitar Center a 5 string.
