This banjo comes equipped with several extras, such as a strap, chromatic tuner, and extra strings. Furthermore, its removable resonator metal plate can make this instrument suitable for open-back banjo playing.
Beginners should consider their music style and desired volume when selecting their first banjo. Resonator banjos may be better suited for bluegrass playing; an open back may work better for clawhammer music.
Resonator
AKLOT banjos are ideal for beginning players as they come equipped with multiple extra features including a gig bag, tuner, capo and set of strings. Not to mention its beautiful design featuring tiger maple wood on both neck and rim.
This open back banjo is the best banjo for bluegrass as it is more affordable than resonator models and doesn’t limit you to one style of playing. Plus it has lightweight construction with crisp sound quality!
Resonator banjos feature a wooden bowl attached to the rear of their sound chamber (commonly known as the pot), projecting sounds toward an audience. Due to its added weight, many beginners opt for open-back banjos as a gateway instrument before upgrading later with one featuring an adjustable truss rod, scoped rosewood fretboard and Remo FyberSkyn head. This model is great for bluegrass music as well as other genres.
Fretboard
Rosewood fretboards are frequently found on open back banjos due to its abundance, affordability, and superior density – qualities which provide manufacturers with optimal durability/playability balance. Furthermore, rosewood provides beginners with an intuitive playing experience as its soft grain makes for easy manipulation with clear tone production.
Open-back banjos differ from their resonator counterparts in that the strings are placed higher up the neck and body, which allows for clawhammer style picking techniques like those typically utilized in bluegrass music.
As an open-back banjo is quieter than its resonator counterparts, this makes it ideal for musicians looking for quiet practice spaces or situations with restricted volumes. Although pickups can be added on any banjo to increase its volume if necessary. This model from AKLOT stands out among beginner banjo players thanks to its extras such as gig bag, chromatic tuner, capo and set of strings; not to mention looking good and being relatively compact!
Strings
Banjos use metal or nylon strings stretched over what essentially functions as a drumhead made of either mylar, animal skin, or some combination thereof. Their sound depends on how their strings are set up and what genre of music is played on it.
Open back banjos feature a more relaxed tone and lighter weight compared to their resonator counterparts, making them suitable for folk, country and bluegrass music styles. Band players may prefer purchasing 5-string open back models to produce brighter sounds.
Some people opt for coated strings to avoid corrosion. These typically consist of nylon strings with polymer coating on the wound strings, although many players find they lack depth of tone compared to other forms. You could also experiment with different gauges until finding your ideal set; many manufacturers recommend starting off light until you develop skills and can handle heavier strings.
Maintenance
An outstanding banjo doesn’t happen by chance; its sound has been carefully tuned by an expert luthier. A banjo that has not been properly maintained may sound worse than even its plastic counterpart.
Store your banjo safely when not playing by placing it in a hardshell case or delta case when not playing, to protect from dents and bruises as well as changes in humidity levels. This will also insulate it against changes.
Humid weather causes wood to expand and contract, which may cause its neck or resonator to bow outward, necessitating an adjustment of its truss rod for proper functioning. A truss rod adjustment will rectify this.
Wood shrinks and contracts when exposed to dry weather, loosening glue joints and leading to the resonator cracking or breaking. A coordinator rod adjustment will remedy this.
Unfretted nuts typically vibrate uncontrollably due to too wide of nut slots. Deering-style slots are normally cut with special tools and procedures; if yours aren’t, consult with a luthier immediately for help. After making any truss rod adjustments, it is also wise to have the coordinator rod tightened as this may help with further tuning issues.