Have you ever thought of playing some instrument? If yes, you should try banjo for once. Banjo is an instrument that comes with strings. If you are a string lover, we are here to guide you on the best banjo for beginners.
Banjo has a rich history that makes it popular among people. It is an amazing way to burst out your stress. So, you need to know the best Banjo for beginners.
Best Banjo For Beginners – Buying Guide
Factors To Look For While Buying Best Banjo For Beginners
When you buy any banjo, you should be aware of all the things related to it. The specific things to focus on are given below:
Style
It is necessary to see the style of any banjo you are buying. Resonator and open-back banjo are the two styles available in the banjo. You should know which one suits you best. The resonator banjo is equipped with a closed back. On the other hand, open back banjo, as the name suggests, has an open-back. The open and closed back make a little difference while playing.
Type
Just like the different styles, banjo also has different types. Before buying it, you should be aware of the different types so that you can buy the best one. There are five-string, four-string, six-string and electric banjo available in the market. Go for the one you like the most.
Features
Features play an important role while deciding the best banjo for beginners. As you have many options to decide from, you need to go through all the features. From quality to durability, you should know everything before buying. You do not want to buy a cheap quality product so choose wisely.
Strings
There are various banjos available with different types of strings, so how to decide the best banjo for beginners? Commonly, you will find 4-string banjos, 5-string banjos, and 6 string banjos and also 12-string banjos. Banjo with different strings means you can play more notes. For beginners, it is advisable to play the 5-string banjo as it is easy to use and used widely by many people.
As a beginner, you must have hundreds of questions like what is the best banjo for small hands? You don’t worry about such questions as with the help of our reviews you will find a solution to all such questions.
Believe us; we know how stressful it can be to identify the right banjo for you. So, to address all your queries, we have done thorough research on every banjo available from the beginner’s point of view. If you will read this article carefully, there is no need to get knowledge from anywhere else, as this is the ultimate guide for the best banjo for beginners.
Banjo Brands For Beginners Reviews
Now that you have acquired all the required knowledge about the banjo, it is time to read the important section. We know this is the part you have been waiting for. With no further delay, let’s start the reviews of the top 7 best banjo brands for beginners.
1. Ibanez 5-String B50 Natural Banjo
It was founded in 1957 by Japanese manufacturer, Ibanez. It also started its line of banjos. Even after these many years, they have been making stunning banjos. They come up with their specialized products for the banjo admirers. Let’s see the best banjo for beginners.
Description
It consists of 5 strings and falls under the category of best 5 string banjo for beginners. So, if you are looking for the best banjo brands for beginners, you should check out this banjo.
Performance
It is a great choice if you are a beginner. It has 5 strings that make it the best banjo for learning.
Comparison
If we compare it with another banjo, it has an adjustable guitar bridge system which makes it different from others.
Usage
If you are a beginner, you don’t need to worry about its usage. It can be used by beginners or professionals.
Pros
- It has a professional look
- Finishing is very attractive
- Affordable
- It has dot position markers
- Stunning sound quality
Con
- It does not come with many designs
What’s New?
It has more improved sound quality and an adjustable guitar bridge system from other banjos.
Why should you buy it?
It has a mahogany neck which makes it very attractive and easy to use.
2. Epiphone Open Back MB-100 Banjo
The origin of this brand is from Nashville, Tennessee. With time it has gained a good reputation in the banjo making industry. It was founded in turkey, in 1873. However, it was later acquired by Gibson. Now they are focusing on upgrading the designs while keeping the prices as low as possible.
Description
It can be one of the best resonator banjo for beginners. Not only this, if you are looking for the tenor banjo, it also comes under the category of best tenor banjo for beginners. It consists of 6 strings.
Performance
It is an open back banjo. So, if you love to play the banjo that has an open back, it is the right choice for you. It is one of the best banjo for small hands.
Comparison
If we compare it with other types of banjo, it is very lightweight. This is one of the best features of Epiphone MB-100 Open Back Banjo.
Usage
It is the best banjo for learning. It is very user friendly and not difficult to play. It can be played by both professionals and beginners.
Pros
- It is very Lightweight
- It is useful for those who have smaller statures
- Very powerful sound
- It is very attractive and has pretty details
Con
- You might need to replace the tuner if you want to maintain consistency in it
What’s New?
The new model is more advanced and is lightweight. It has more improved sound.
Why you should buy it:
There are many reasons to buy Epiphone MB-100 Open Back Banjo but one of the most loved advantages is its light-weight feature. You can travel anywhere with it.
3. Deering 5-String Goodtime Banjo
The Deering company is specialized in making banjos. It lays more stress on the type of material used and that makes it the best banjo for strumming. The company makes sure that you get high-quality banjo. They are the largest manufacturer in America and make high standard products. You need to know the best banjo for beginners, so let’s check here.
Description
Deering 5 string Goodtime banjo comes in multicolour. It has an open back and is also the best 5 string banjo for beginners.
Performance
It has 5 strings that mean it features great performance. You can rightly kick start your banjo career with Deering Goodtime banjo.
Comparison
It has sealed geared tuners and an adjustable tailpiece. It is now easier to adjust single co-ordinator rods.
Usage
As we are reviewing the banjos that can be used by the beginners, so, this can also be used by the beginners. It has an elegant design that makes it lovable by almost everyone.
Pros
- It is great for travelling
- Weighs very less
- made in the USA
- maple neck and rim of high quality
Cons
- could be costly as it features high quality of products
- the neck is not adjustable
- some people might not find its design fascinating
What’s New?
It weighs less than the previous model. The design has also changed with time.
Why you should buy it:
This instrument is used by professionals and artists. So, you have all the reasons to go for this product. It will help you in increasing your skills in playing the banjo. It incorporates the best banjo learning method.
4. Deering 5-String Goodtime 2 Banjo
This company was founded in 1975 by Janet and Greg Deering. It is a product of the Deering line of banjos. They maintain industry standards by manufacturing mid to high-level banjo. They are the largest American banjo manufacturers.
Description
Like Deering 5 strings goodtime, it also has 5 strings included in it. It is also considered the best 5 string banjo for beginners. The material used in it is top frosted Mylar. It is lightweight and also the best banjo for strumming.
Performance
It gives a great performance. You can completely rely on this product. Once you invest, you will not be disappointed. It does not weigh much and is best for beginners.
Comparison
When it comes to Deering Goodtime 2 5-String Banjo, they always keep making improvements. The qualities of materials used are improved. Also, it has improved tone quality.
Usage
It is very simple to use. You don’t need to emphasise much on the learning process. It is great for beginners and is highly used by professionals.
Pros
- The wood to make the maple neck and the rim is of super quality
- It’s not very difficult to afford
- Lightweight
- You can travel with it comfortably
Con
- It does not have adjustable neck
What’s New?
The sound quality is improved if we compare it with the previous versions.
Why you should buy it:
It is very reliable and easy to buy. Also, it can be a perfect choice to gift it to your friends or family. Its amazing features include an adjustable tailpiece, sealed geared tuners and a three-ply maple rim.
5. Rogue Travel Banjo
Rogue has a great reputation for making string instruments. They manufacture instruments like guitar, banjo, mandolins etc. The company develops products and ensures that the price is not much high. For beginners, they offer amazing quality within the reach of everyone.
Description
This banjo comes with the best banjo learning method. It has an open back style which makes its music soft.
Performance
As the name suggests, it is best for beginners. So, you can completely trust this on its great performance. Whether a beginner or professional, you will have no problem with its performance.
Comparison
It has slightly different features than other banjos. It has an open back. The design is also different from others. Also, it has a different price as compared to other brands.
Usage
It is very decent and easy to use. If you are a beginner, it is an ideal choice for you. It does not have complicated functionality that makes it easy for beginners to learn.
Pros
- Eighteen brackets
- Great quality vintage-style head
- Opened back
- Satin finishing
- Stunning string tuning machines
Con
- It can be a little costly than others
What’s New?
It has 18 brackets and a high-quality end. It can now easily be started by anyone.
Why you should buy it:
The sound it creates is very original and aesthetic. It has a satin finish and first-rate tuning machines. If you always wanted to play the banjo, you should consider buying this one.
6. Gold-Tone Cripple Creek CC-100R Banjo
The manufacturer of this product makes sure that all the beginners can take advantage of the banjo and learn efficiently. The company that manufactures this product is Gold-Tone. It makes great banjos for beginners. They keep in mind the interest of the new banjo players while developing the banjos. Check here the best banjo for beginners.
Description
The material used in its manufacturing is Maple. It is the best tenor banjo for beginners. Along with this it also offers the best banjo lessons for beginners. It has 5 strings attached to it which make it easier to learn.
Performance
This product is very reliable in terms of performance. Talking about the best banjo for beginners, this is the product you need to start playing the banjo.
Comparison
If we compare Gold-Tone CC-100R Cripple Creek Banjo with other banjos, the price it offers is the best.
Usage
Always wanted to know about the banjo that provides the best banjo lessons for beginners? Here is your search. It is easier to use and anyone, regardless of age, can use it.
Pros
- Best choice to learn
- Sound quality is the greatest
- It offers great value
Cons
- There are no cons to it. Most customers are satisfied with it.
What’s New?
This model includes a two-way adjustable tailpiece and a straight line.
Why you should buy it:
It is a great banjo as it helps you from the beginning till you become perfect. Also, you will not find this quality and sound in this range of price. Moreover, it is the best resonator banjo for beginners.
7. Geared 5-String Tunable Banjo
The company makes banjos that are tunable and has 5 strings geared. The beginners and intermediate learners’ should consider buying this as it is very easy to operate. The company has been manufacturing the banjos for learners’ and professionals.
Description
The material used is rosewood, mahogany and maple. So, you can see by the range of wood used in its manufacturing that they make it more attractive.
Performance
It gives you great performance as it has all classic tones of traditional 5 string banjo.
Comparison
If compared to other banjos, it has geared 5th tuner. This is a premium feature included in this model.
Usage
Its usage is very easy and comfortable. The best thing is that you can play it as much as you want without straining your shoulders.
Pros
- 5-string Tunable banjo
- Jade machine of white colour
- Features extra tuner of 5th gear
- Classical design and style
- Rich wood finishing
Con
- It can be a little expensive as compared to other banjos
What’s New?
It has a compact and slim design that allows you to easily move your hand on it.
Why you should buy it:
It can be great for beginners and can be played for longer durations. It has the amazing sound quality that will tempt you to buy this banjo.
FAQs
- Is it hard to play the banjo?
You will be surprised to know that banjo is not at all hard to play and it’s even easier to choose best banjo for beginners. It has few strings that make it easier to play and is also not difficult to learn.
- What makes a banjo good?
The good banjo always has a neck made up of a single piece of wood.
- How is an open back banjo different from a closed-back banjo?
The difference between both the banjos is the price and sound. The open back banjos are less expensive as compared to the closed-back banjo. Banjos with an open back make a softer sound, while the closed-back banjo produces a louder sound.
Do check out How to Tune a Tenor Banjo? if you wish to know how you can do so easily.
I own a music instruments shop. My go to instrument is a banjo. My business makes it easier for me to access the instruments from various brands and of various types. I will give my honest opinion here to help out others in choosing the right instrument for them.