Best Banjos

Well-made, stylish, and beautiful, this open-back banjo is a perfect choice for clawhammer style players. To ensure excellent sound and durability of the item, the manufacturer used high-quality tonewoods; this Deering banjo has a three-ply maple rim, rock maple neck, and ebony bridge. For easy and comfortable fingering, the unit is equipped with a low-profile neck; there are hardwood bow tie inlays on its 22-fret fingerboard. Its premium sealed geared tuners will help you tune the strings (including the 5th one) in a breeze. The patented Goodtime tailpiece, both robust and easy to adjust, allows you to experiment with the tone. Moreover, the playability of the instrument can be enhanced by changing the string height which is easy to do using an adjustable single coordinator rod. This model has an 11-inch high crown head and a standard rim diameter with 16 brackets, so it will be easy to find a replacement head.

In a word, if you are looking for a quality instrument by one of the best banjo brands, suitable for both beginners and experienced players, this Deering model is a wonderful choice. This open-back banjo is pretty lightweight too, which makes it a perfect outdoor companion for a music lover.

So, you have made up your mind to master the banjo and you are looking for a quality yet not too expensive beginner model. This Resoluute banjo may be just the one you need. Equipped with a removable mahogany resonator, it can deliver both a brighter sound of a close-back banjo and a mellower tone of an open-back one. In other words, it is equally good for playing a clawhammer and bluegrass banjo styles. Equipped with a Remo drumhead for excellent sound and impact, it has 24 brackets to provide an even tension all around it. The unit has sturdy, easy-to-turn tuning pegs including a geared 5th string tuner. A smooth maple fingerboard allows you to easily change the chords moving up and down the frets.

It is not a secret that fragile things like musical instruments should be transported with care. Whether you are going to use the banjo yourself or give it as a present to your friend, you want it to be delivered undamaged and in perfect condition. That is why the manufacturer has provided an upgraded packaging that will minimize the chance of any unpleasant surprises during shipping.

An added bonus is the included beginner banjo guide with the chords that will help you start mastering the musical instrument of your dream as soon as the box arrives.

Jameson Guitars are known for their excellent playability and sound combined with an appealing design. The same goes for this amazing 5-string banjo that features a closed mahogany back with a shiny gloss finish. 7-ply maple and mahogany shell ensure excellent sound and durability of the item so it will be your favorite banjo for years to come. This model has a chrome plated armrest, 24 brackets, a hard maple bridge, and a hinged tailpiece allowing you to adjust the tone of the instrument. With this traditional 5-string banjo you can play bluegrass, country, folk, and experiment with other music styles. By the way, the wooden resonator can be removed in case you are going to practice playing an open-back banjo as well. Made of traditional tonewoods, this moderately-priced banjo has a geared 5th string tuner; high-quality machine heads mean that, on one hand, it is easy to tune the instrument, on the other hand, you won't have to do that too often.

Summing up, this is the best banjo for music lovers who appreciate good sound and style. Very well packed for shipping, the unit arrives in good condition and the only thing you might need before you start practicing is tuning the strings, which is easy to do if you have a quality tuner.

The Pyle PBJ60 not only looks like a traditional classic banjo; it boasts a rich vibrant singing tone, too. It has a beautiful rosewood fretboard with white diamond-shaped inlays and white jade key pegs (including a 5th string geared peg). Next, it features a shabili wood body with a stunning high-gloss finish and stylish chrome-plated hardware. To deliver a bright sound, it is equipped with a REMO M1 drumhead. A truss rod adjustment tool and a Maplewood bridge stand are included in the box.

Usually, resonator banjos are heavier than open-back ones; however, while delivering a loud and bright sound common for closed-back banjos, this model is pretty lightweight. So, you can take it along with you on a travel to play and sing good old country, folk, and bluegrass songs in front of the fire. However, you should also keep in mind that this musical instrument is to be properly maintained to preserve its great sound and looks. For example, it is not recommended to leave the banjo in the sun and it is better to store it in a hard case. It is also important to wipe it off smudges and fingerprints after you've finished practicing and handle it with care overall so you can avoid bumping and damage of the 5th peg. If you follow these simple tips, your Pyle banjo will look like new for years.

Whether you are a guitar player and you want to get banjo sounds without mastering this 5-string instrument or you are a newcomer looking for a quality beginner banjo, this wonderful model can be a perfect choice. 6-string banjos are very similar to guitars in the way they are played and tuned. However, what you hear when you play it is a bright banjo tone. This sound is created by a Remo head, 7-ply maple and mahogany shell and a mahogany resonator of the unit. This model has a great playability - it has a rosewood fingerboard and smooth mahogany neck making it easy to go up and down the frets. Some users find its action a bit high, however, if needed, you can replace the bridge to adjust the string height. This wonderful banjo has 24 brackets and an adjustable hinged tailpiece. Finally, the item features diecast enclosed tuners for easy tuning and a chrome plated armrest. Thanks to its elaborate design and the high quality of materials used for its manufacturing, this 6-string banjo both looks and sounds terrific. With that, it has an affordable price which makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and musical instruments collectors.

If you are looking to explore unconventional musical instruments, you are welcome to read our ukuleles review.