Be careful when buying banjos for sale – it can be easy for a seller to overlook certain aspects of a used banjo that could cost them dearly down the line.
Rusting on a coordinator rod should raise red flags; that could be an expensive presentation issue that needs addressing immediately.
Inspecting the Instrument
Before buying a banjo, be sure to thoroughly examine its condition before making a purchase decision. Checking its neck, head, rim and tailpiece conditions as these can impact playability and sound quality as well as string action (the height of strings above fingerboard). Proper setup ensures efficient and comfortable playing sessions – and a well-set-up banjo should always come equipped with strings of proper height atop its fingerboard for optimal playing results.
Peghead or tuning machines (also referred to as tuning machines) is another component to consider when choosing a banjo. Peghead designs vary, from elaborate inlaid decorations to plain finishes depending on its style; and tuners may feature either planetary gears or friction pegs – with many players preferring the former due to being more reliable.
Another element to check when looking at banjos is their truss rods. If the truss rod is loose, playing can become out-of-tune and difficult. A truss rod wrench can tighten loose rods; ask seller if this service can be provided prior to purchasing; otherwise it is wiser to walk away.
An established banjo brand like Deering, Recording King or Gold Tone will guarantee higher-quality banjos. When selecting one of these models, look for one with a neck made of sturdy wood such as maple, mahogany or nato for increased resistance against breakage and grenadilla to offer superior acoustic qualities.
Pay close attention to any unusual scratches or dents on the head of your banjo; such blemishes could make playing more challenging and affect its tone.
If the frets of your banjo appear worn-down or buzz when playing it, or are worn down altogether, you should seriously consider walking away from this sale. Frets that need replacing may be costly to repair and will make the instrument sound worse than it should.
Shopping at a music store that provides banjo repair is highly recommended, as they will be able to assess if the banjo is in good condition and make repairs if necessary, and provide tips on how to take proper care of it.
Buying a Used Banjo
Before purchasing a banjo, it’s essential to carefully assess its condition and playability as well as compare prices with what would be expected for an equivalent new banjo of comparable quality and features.
Used banjos often make more economic sense than purchasing brand new instruments; however, some sellers may not provide accurate descriptions of the instruments’ conditions.
When purchasing a used banjo, structural damage should be the top priority. While parts such as strings and bridges will likely need replacing eventually, these are relatively minor repairs; on the other hand, structural issues like rusting may prove much more expensive and could indicate that its previous owner did not care for it properly.
One important consideration when purchasing a banjo is its condition. A bowing neck can be costly and time consuming to repair; as such, sellers should disclose whether their banjo needs repair before providing an estimated price estimate of repairs needed if applicable; otherwise it might be best to look elsewhere for alternative sellers.
Check your frets regularly to make sure they remain in top shape. A loose fret may make playing difficult and could indicate improper installation or wear and tear over time; rough frets give an appearance of saw teeth and must be levelled and dressed to be playable again.
Checking both the rim and resonator for cracks or any signs of damage is also key, since cracked resonators can be expensive to replace and reduce its sound quality; similarly, their absence signals poor care by their previous owner.
Before making your final selection, it’s essential to inspect the peghead for signs of fake adjustment rod covers – this is a hallmark of mid-century banjos and indicates that the neck has already begun bowing.
Buying a Vintage Banjo
Many individuals discover that purchasing their first instrument with an older banjo is the perfect way to do it at half the price and in good condition. A reliable dealer should be able to assess an older banjo’s value depending on its make, model and year it was made; remembering that older banjos will become increasingly valuable over time.
Some of the most valuable banjos are constructed from exotic woods, feature rare features or feature hand-inlaid mother-of-pearl inlay or other unique embellishments – typically this will warrant a higher asking price than an identical banjo lacking such qualities.
Quality construction and finish are essential in assessing a banjo’s value, from its fancy engravings to solid construction with attention paid to every detail. Checking frets and heads for any dents or scratches could affect playability as well.
When assessing a banjo, it is a good idea to compare its characteristics against similar instruments. Keep an eye on both its asking price and how quickly it sells; too long on the market could indicate overpricing.
Experienced buyers can use the internet to research a banjo’s worth by comparing it to newer models of similar make and model. Websites like eBay, Reverb and Banjo Hangout provide useful starting points. A banjo expert or luthier may also provide appraisal services.
At its core, selecting a banjo should depend on an individual player’s goals and preferences. Beginners who wish to start off small might benefit from investing in something reasonably inexpensive like a Goodtime or Epiphone MB-100 which will enable them to learn the fundamentals, as these instruments will grow alongside them before eventually being upgraded down the road if desired.
Selling a Vintage Banjo
No matter if it was passed down from Granddad or you bought used, when selling a vintage banjo it’s important to know its worth. Doing your research into its make, model and year of construction as well as any factors which might impact its value can help make an educated decision when selling the instrument. You may wish to consult an online resource such as Vintage Banjo Price Guide and The Banjo Registry which can give approximate values of different banjo models; alternatively take it in for an appraisal at your local luthier or music store near where it can also be appraised by an experienced luthier or music store near where the instrument can be evaluated in-person.
Once your banjo is cleaned and repaired for sale, it should be prepared by cleaning it and addressing any minor issues that might be hindering potential buyers. Many pre WWII banjos suffer from issues like twisted necks, fingerboards that come unglued or crack, loose tuning pegs and missing hardware pieces – these things should all be address by an experienced banjo repairman, who should match the original finish so as to restore your instrument back into near mint condition. When selling an older banjo it may also help having someone who knows more than what issues might deter buyers – they might also point out what issues might be holding potential buyers back.
One factor that may turn off prospective buyers is an instrument with high string action. Most older banjos, particularly open back ones like Vega and Gibson mastertones have higher string action than what most modern players prefer; though it is possible to lower it through adjustments of neck angle and resetting of frets; but this requires professional expertise in order to do this properly.
Before offering your banjo for sale, it is wise to monitor its market in your locality and on ebay. Market conditions can shift quickly, and if your price is set too high it could remain unsold for quite some time before any serious buyers emerge who would pay top dollar for an unworthy banjo.