If you’re new to Clawhammer or Old Time banjo playing, Craig’s List offers a wide variety of openback banjos that may fit the bill – however it is important to know what features to look out for when making your selection.
To determine its value, compare its cost with that of similar new instruments available today. Watching local and national auctions may also prove useful in this endeavor.
How to Buy a Banjo
When purchasing banjos for sale, several factors must be taken into account. First of all, decide what kind of banjo you would like – the most popular being five-string banjos used in bluegrass music but there are six-string models as well for those seeking something with more distinctive sound. Also important when searching is whether an open back or resonator banjo would best meet your needs; open backs typically feature wooden tone rings while resonator ones use an aluminum rim that may offer lower costs but doesn’t give the same sounds that wooden or bronze tone rings do when it comes to sound production.
Consider what your budget will allow when purchasing a banjo. Your financial resources will significantly determine your options; different models of banjo can range in cost from $50 to over $1,000 depending on which category they fall into. Your options may be restricted by what is readily available from stores or sellers online like Craigslist.
No matter your budget, it is essential that you purchase a banjo that feels comfortable and easy to play. Furthermore, making sure it is properly set up so it stays in tune all the way up the neck can be challenging; therefore, having someone familiar with playing banjos or guitars assist is recommended.
Before purchasing, it is also prudent to inspect the banjo for damage. A cracked pot, rusted hardware or poorly repaired head could cost $50 or more in repairs and maintenance over its lifecycle. For added peace of mind it’s wise to hire an expert luthier to oversee initial setup on any new banjo purchase.
If you’re shopping for a banjo at a store, ensure they offer a trial period to test out and see if it works for you. Be aware of their return policy should it not work out.
Types of Banjos
There is a vast selection of banjos on the market, making it essential to familiarize yourself with your choices before shopping. Five string banjos are often preferred for playing bluegrass and country music while four string tenors may better suit jazz music styles. For beginners looking for their first instrument it would be beneficial to test out different models first so as to gain experience playing before selecting which type best meets their needs.
While certain collectibles tend to increase in value over time, banjos don’t usually follow that same trend unless they carry an established brand name or maker’s signature. One exception might be an expensive professional banjo that may fetch higher value compared to one with no brand or maker associated with it.
When shopping for your first banjo, modern instruments may be more affordable and easier to tune than their antique counterparts. Be sure to opt for one with a guitar-style tuner; these make tuning strings much simpler.
Some banjos come equipped with tone rings to add richer tones to their sound, which may appeal to players looking for classic looks; open back banjos may be better suited to this purpose, while those preferring clawhammer or frailing styles might prefer resonator models instead.
The banjo hails from Africa and shares some similarities with West African instruments such as the kora. Like these instruments, it features plucked strings stretched across a skin head on a gourd body for plucked sound similar to an acoustic guitar; however, unlike its metal-necked cousin the banjo typically uses wood instead for its neck and headstock.
Sam Ash and Guitar Center both sell banjos. You’ll also find dedicated banjo shops in Rochester, NY or Mandolin Brothers in Lansing, MI (both are approximately six hours away by car). In New York City however, most storefronts for acoustic or folk instruments tend to carry less banjos due to the prohibitively expensive cost of retail space in Manhattan.
Strings
The right banjo strings are essential to its sound. They make all the difference between dull, boring sounding banjo tones and those that hypnotize and inspire listeners of all types. Banjo string manufacturers provide various gauges and constructions such as roundwound and flatwound which affect overall brightness, playing feel and durability/tuning stability; additionally there are coated or non-coated sets with different levels of durability/tuning stability available from manufacturers.
Banjo strings come in various gauges to fit five-string and four-string banjos as well as tenor banjos, with light, medium, and heavy gauge options being readily available. Your personal taste should ultimately dictate which one you opt for; however it should also be noted that not all banjos can withstand additional tension caused by heavier string gauges so it is advised that before changing anything about your string gauge it be checked with the manufacturer of your banjo to see what they recommend first.
Some individuals attempt to cut costs by substituting guitar strings on a banjo; this should only be done in emergency circumstances (you need to play in 10 minutes and your string just broke!), and should only ever be done as a temporary solution. You risk damaging your instrument more by doing this than by simply purchasing the necessary banjo strings from the beginning.
Deering, Gibson, Bacon & Day and Vega are among the premier banjo brands with their own lines of strings designed specifically to complement their models. These strings often utilize top-grade materials like nickel, steel and phosphor bronze with various gauge options available for any level of player – trusting these top manufacturers will guarantee you high-quality banjo strings like Ralph Stanley and Rob McCoury has done! You can be assured you are purchasing quality strings when shopping from these top-tier manufacturers.
Accessories
If you’re new to playing banjo or looking to learn, accessories are required in order to get started. Although some beginners may be put off by the price of full kits, there are kits available which include everything necessary – typically including banjo, carrying case or gig bag and picks – in order to begin right away.
When buying a banjo near me for sale, pay attention to its condition as well. Damaged instruments tend to decrease in value; whereas, one kept in excellent condition may fetch a higher price than unplayable models and ages of banjo.
Other aspects that influence a banjo’s value include its number and type of strings, pot material and strings arrangement. A banjo with five strings would be more valuable than one with only four, while metal pots tend to fetch higher prices than wooden ones.
Keep an eye out for the country of manufacture as well. A banjo made in western Europe may fetch higher value than one produced in Japan due to less popularity among North Americans – thus they tend to sell cheaper here.
Another key consideration when purchasing a banjo for sale near me is whether or not the instrument features a tone ring. Tone rings help prevent sound from being absorbed by its wooden pot and come in various designs to keep the sound pure. Professional jazz and bluegrass banjos often have some sort of tone ring included with them, so look out for these features when shopping.
Another thing to keep in mind when purchasing a banjo is whether or not it has a resonator, rather than being an open-back banjo. A resonator provides for fuller sound, while an open-back banjo offers lighter tones. When selecting an instrument to record or use in amplified environments, one with a resonator should be given special consideration.