If you’re in the market for a banjo, there are various factors you need to keep in mind before making your purchase. This article can help narrow your choices down and help find one for sale that meets both your needs and budget.
As the container that holds your head stretches over, this pot (its cylindrical body that fits underneath your skull) should be made from metal or wood for an indicator of value and craftsmanship. Metal pots tend to increase their value exponentially.
Brand
When purchasing a banjo new, it is crucial that you carefully consider its brand. Not only can the sound vary based on brand but so too does its price and warranty coverage; an extended coverage plan could save money over time!
Popular banjo brands include Deering, Recording King and Epiphone. Deering banjos are well-regarded for both quality and affordability – popular among professional banjo players such as Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck among many others. Recording King has also proven itself popular as an affordable acoustic banjo option; popular bands such as Soccer Mommy use its instruments. Epiphone is best known as an acoustic guitar manufacturer; however they also produce several models of banjos as well.
Buy new or buy used? Neither option should be preferred when it comes to banjo purchases; by choosing new, you know it has been stored properly for optimal performance, plus can inquire from its seller regarding maintenance history and future repairs. Purchasing a banjo new is an investment both musically and personally!
Beginners looking to pick up banjo are recommended starting out with an affordable open back acoustic banjo like the Vega Little Wonder or Deering Sierra Maple as good starter models, suitable for Bluegrass and Clawhammer styles of playing. Or if that doesn’t suit, try opting for one with an acoustic-electric body which allows for solo playing without needing amplifier. Sweetwater offers product filter options which narrow your choices down by selectable features such as price range and material composition of their selections – perfect!
Model
If you want to purchase a banjo to play bluegrass or folk music, knowing its worth is crucial for making fair offers and not overpaying. Comparing similar banjo prices will give an idea of its true worth; similarly you can keep an eye out for local or national sales of banjos to gauge how much their value may increase over time.
One of the primary factors affecting banjo value is its condition. A banjo that has been neglected or improperly cared for can have an adverse impact on its worth; cleaning, restringing and adjusting can cost far beyond what its actual worth might be.
An improperly repaired banjo can detract from its value, such as warped necks or cracked heads or stiff tuning pegs that diminish its value. Repair costs could range between $50-$100; therefore it should be taken into consideration when calculating its total price tag.
The Gold Tone OB-150 Orange Blossom Banjo offers authentic pre-war styling with superior playability at an attainable price point, making this banjo an excellent option for beginners looking to learn clawhammer or frailing while enjoying top-of-the-line Vega quality and tone at a reasonable cost. This banjo offers authentic pre-war style while still being highly playable – perfect for beginner guitarists wanting an excellent banjo to learn on.
Deering Sierra’s 5-string resonator banjo is the go-to model, offering players of any taste an assortment of wood options for customization. The Hartford model stands out with a distinctive grenadillo tone ring that creates vintage pre-war style sounds when new and gets even richer as it ages, plus it uses an aluminum rim/flange that reduces weight without diminishing sound quality.
Number of Strings
Most banjos feature five strings (sometimes four for plectrum or tenor banjos). Most banjos are tuned to EADGBE tuning for optimal use with bluegrass and other American folk music styles. Six string banjos, however, are more complex instruments often employed by jazz musicians; therefore experienced players should only attempt playing these six string versions of banjo.
If you are on the market for a banjo, pay special attention to its number and condition of strings. Make sure that they are undamaged or missing any components. In addition, look for one with a tone ring; this heavy metal accessory adds depth to its sound for a fuller, richer tone.
Consider also the pot material and whether or not the banjo features a resonator flange, which is a metal ring attached to the pot that fastens more or less permanently with holes for string passage, adding visual interest and improving sound. Banjos with these features often cost more than those without.
Resonators also help the banjo sound better by absorbing some of its undesirable frequencies, making the instrument sound louder and clearer. Furthermore, the resonator allows strings to vibrate more freely for enhanced quality sound production.
Once you’ve determined the number of strings on a banjo, the next step should be comparing it with similar instruments for sale online. You can use sites such as Craigs’ List and eBay to locate banjos that match up stylistically, brandwise and condition wise; keep in mind that even name brand instruments may not reach their full market value due to improper care or maintenance practices.
Body Material
As a general rule, banjos made of harder wood will typically be worth more than those made with soft or lightweight materials. This applies particularly to their rim, which must feature hard wooden material such as maple or walnut; metal rims may be cheaper but if you want the highest-grade instruments on sale.
Mylar is an ideal material to construct the banjo head from, producing brighter tones without swelling and shrinking with humidity fluctuations. While traditionally animal skin was used, modern players prefer mylar due to its consistent performance.
Metal tone rings are another useful feature to search for when selecting a banjo. These help prevent the strings from vibrating against the pot and dampening its sound; although this feature won’t always be present. Doing so will add another level to its sound that makes for more captivating playing experiences.
Other features that determine the quality of a banjo include its headstock, bracket band, neck and armrest. The latter is a piece of wood at the top that lets you rest your arm without hindering movement of its fifth string or dampening sound production.
Visit it directly – The best way to determine the quality of a banjo is in person! Fancy engravings and binding may make it appear more expensive, but true indicators of quality lie within its attention to detail and craftsmanship. While you could possibly turn a cheap-looking banjo into an exceptional instrument with just some hard work, its cost may outweigh its financial benefit.
Price
Banjos, like other musical instruments, tend to increase in value with age. Vintage resonator banjos in particular are highly sought-after by musicians looking for that old-time sound. Their price also depends on its quality and features such as whether or not it has antique finish components, an upgraded tailpiece and other components or unique colors schemes.
Finding a bargain used banjo requires patience and consideration of its condition, such as an unplayable beginner banjo listed for less than its price would cost from a reputable banjo dealer. Unfortunately, sellers sometimes try to mislead buyers into believing they’ve scored an incredible deal when in reality it wouldn’t make financial or time sense to repair or make playable the instrument themselves (especially considering it might not resell later on).
To determine whether a banjo is priced fairly, compare its costs with buying one new from a trusted dealer of similar specifications. This will allow you to avoid spending too much for one that’s prone to damage or needs costly repairs. It’s also wise to review its shipping details to make sure it won’t get damaged during transit – for instance a cardboard box won’t provide as much protection than hardshell cases which offer better protection than cardboard ones; airline-rated cases might offer even greater security but may cost more; serious musicians will want an investment into hardshell cases capable of standing up to travel and long periods on the road!