Best Open Back Banjo

Category: banjo 👁 393 👍 12 ★★★★☆4.4

The 5 string banjo is actually the easiest stringed instrument to get started playing. ... This is often more than enough inspiration for new players to realize that they can in fact play a musical instrument. The reason the 5 string banjo is so easy to start playing is that its standard tuning is an open G tuning.

Over and above, are old banjos worth money?

Some banjos are incredibly rare and can be worth thousands. The 1938 Gibson Mastertone flathead five-string, made famous by Earl Scruggs, is valued at thousands of dollars since fewer than 100 were ever made. While more common, Epiphone banjos made during the Great Depression tend to also be worth great deals of money.

Forbye, can I play bluegrass on an open back banjo? yes, you can play bluegrass on an openbacked banjo. Conversely, you can play clawhammer on a resonator banjo. The sound probably won't be ideal in either instance but you can definitely do it.

Not to mention, what's the difference between a 4 and 5 string banjo?

4-String Banjos The only difference, of course, is that you're basically playing a smaller banjo in terms of sound. ... The main difference between these two is that the tenor banjo is shorter in scale length than the plectrum banjo; the plectrum banjo is the same scale as the 5 string banjo, but played with a flat pick.

How long does it take to learn the banjo?

If you are encouraged by knowing you have to play for 2000 hours to learn the banjo, well good for you. But chances are that more people get discouraged by knowing that by their learning speed they will never get there. I would rather say that it takes only 6 months to learn to play banjo.

BESTSELLER NO. 1 in 2023

Gold Tone, 5-String Banjo (AC-1)

Gold Tone, 5-String Banjo (AC-1)
  • Composite rim open back
  • Zero-glide nut system
  • Includes Gig Bag
  • Gold Tone 12-point set-up
BESTSELLER NO. 2 in 2023

Oscar Schmidt OB3-O-U Open-Back 5-String Banjo

Oscar Schmidt OB3-O-U Open-Back 5-String Banjo
  • 18 bracket tone ring
  • Ovangkol Fingerboard and Bridge
  • Geared 5th string Tuner
  • Nato neck
  • Gloss finish
BESTSELLER NO. 3 in 2023

Recording King RK-OT25-BR Madison Open Back Banjo, Scooped Fretboard

Recording King RK-OT25-BR Madison Open Back Banjo, Scooped Fretboard
  • Maple Neck with Adjustable Truss Rod
  • 3-Ply Steam Bent Maple Rim
  • Scooped Rosewood Fretboard
  • Recording King Compound Angle Peghead
  • Remo FiberSkyn Head
BESTSELLER NO. 4 in 2023

Recording King RKOH-05 Dirty Thirties Open Back Banjo

Recording King RKOH-05 Dirty Thirties Open Back Banjo
  • Multi-Ply Rim
  • Adjustable Coordinator Rod
  • Maple Neck with Adjustable 2-Way Truss Rod
  • REMO Recording King Head
  • Presto Tailpiece
BESTSELLER NO. 5 in 2023

Morgan Monroe RT-B01-OP Rocky Top Hoedown 5 String Open Back Banjo

Morgan Monroe RT-B01-OP Rocky Top Hoedown 5 String Open Back Banjo
  • Brackets: 18
  • Resonator: Composite
  • Rim: Composite
  • Neck: Maple
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
BESTSELLER NO. 6 in 2023

Rover RB-20 Open Back 5 String Banjo

Rover RB-20 Open Back 5 String Banjo
  • Standard 11" rim made of composite material in metallic gun grey finish Grooved tension hoop
  • Standard spacing using 24 Flat hook and nut set for head attachment
  • Deluxe Vega style armrest Traditional No knot tailpiece
  • Exquisite mahogany neck with East Indian Rosewood fingerboard inlaid dot position markers and adjustable truss rod
  • Guitar style geared tuners with a geared 5th peg Standard 25 1/2" scale length
BESTSELLER NO. 7 in 2023

Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo

Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo
  • Low-profile, 22-fret rock maple neck with hardwood bow tie inlays
  • Sealed, geared tuning machines, including fifth string
  • 5/8-Inch maple/ebony Goodtime bridge with adjustable Deering tailpiece
  • Six-year warranty
  • Three-ply, 11-inch maple rim with steel tension hoop and high crown head
BESTSELLER NO. 8 in 2023

Gold Tone CC-50 Cripple Creek Banjo (Five String, Maple)

Gold Tone CC-50 Cripple Creek Banjo (Five String, Maple)
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Tuners: Sealed guitar style
  • Tailpiece: Straight Line
BESTSELLER NO. 9 in 2023

Superior C-267T Trailpak II Travel/Tenor Openback Banjo Gig Bag

Superior C-267T Trailpak II Travel/Tenor Openback Banjo Gig Bag
  • Luggage-grade 600-denier black ballistic nylon exterior with 12mm padding gives a lifetime of protection against wear and tear
  • No-scratch soft red flannel interior lining ensures a safe, protective fit
  • Padded webbed nylon handles and adjustable, padded backpack straps for extra portability
  • Multi-stacked exterior pockets with zippered and Velcro closures to hold all your essential accessories
  • Will fit most tenor (4-string) short-neck, non-resonator (open-back) banjos
  • To learn more, please see our Product Description below
BESTSELLER NO. 10 in 2023

Superior C-267 Trailpak II Openback Banjo Gig Bag

Superior C-267 Trailpak II Openback Banjo Gig Bag
  • Luggage-grade 600-denier black ballistic nylon exterior with 12mm padding gives a lifetime of protection against wear and tear
  • No-scratch soft gray flannel interior lining ensures a safe, protective fit
  • Padded webbed nylon handles and adjustable, padded backpack straps for extra portability
  • Multi-stacked exterior pockets with zippered and Velcro closures to hold all your essential accessories
  • To learn more, please see our Product Description below

6 More Questions Answered

Do you strum or pick a banjo?

You have probably seen a musician play the guitar using a pick. Unlike most guitarists who strum with one pick held between their fingers, bluegrass banjo players wear finger picks.

Do you need finger picks for banjo?

It is very true that you do not have to play with picks. As a matter of fact, some styles do not require or encourage you to use picks. Clawhammer style of playing banjo is warm and inviting.

How much does a decent banjo cost?

On average, a banjo is going to cost anywhere between $50 - $3,000. For those just starting out, a beginner's kit with a lower end model should cost between $150 - $300, definitely a good buy if you aren't sure you'll stick with it or not. A very solid mid-range banjo can be found for between $300 - $425.

How much is a harmony banjo worth?

Harmony Tenor Banjo - REDUCED PRICE (sold) Used - Good Condition / Country: United States - State: OK Last Updated 9/20/2020$45.00
Harmony Reso-Tone Banjo $125 (expired) Used - Very Good Condition / Country: United States - State: TN Last Updated 9/10/2015$125.00

What is the difference between clawhammer and bluegrass banjo?

Unlike clawhammer, bluegrass banjo avoids strumming altogether. Instead, fingerpicks are used on the thumb, index and middle fingers; the strings are plucked in the same manner a classical guitarist plucks the strings of a guitar. Earl Scruggs is generally considered to be the originator of this style of banjo playing.

What is the clawhammer technique?

Simply put: clawhammer describes a method of playing where the strings are struck using the back of your index or middle finger nail, then alternately plucked with your thumb. This is in comparison to 3-finger style, where the strings are all plucked individually by the thumb, index, and middle fingers.