A six string banjo makes an invaluable addition to any musical ensemble, as its Open G tuning provides greater clarity for lower strings that don’t muddy the sound as they would on four or five string banjos.
Deering’s Goodtime series 6-string banjo is an impressive instrument, sure to draw admiration at any jam session or concert. Boasting superior craftsmanship and full sound production, its rich, full sound makes this ideal for players of any skill level.
Price
Though 6-string banjos sound amazing, they can be expensive. To find one within your budget and that meets all your musical needs. However, stripped down models may be available that provide similar sounds without all the bells and whistles. This will depend on which type of music you perform.
The banjo is an exceptionally challenging instrument to learn, yet popularly used for bluegrass and old-time music performances. Some guitar players also employ six-string banjos when performing country or jazz tunes.
Many six-string banjos feature guitar-style necks and use metal guitar strings, but their gauge varies to determine tone and playability – lighter gauge strings tend to be easier for beginners while heavier gauge strings produce fuller tones.
Many 6-string banjos come as either openback or resonator models, allowing bass strings to resonate freely without distorting higher notes, while resonator models are specifically tailored for Bluegrass or Old-Time music and come either standard or open back styles; popular brands include Vega, Yosco and Deering.
Style
Though 6-string banjos may initially seem like the perfect complement to 5-string bluegrass banjos, they are equally suitable for other genres of music besides bluegrass – from acoustic blues to jazz. Some blues patterns sound particularly gutsy on these instruments.
It’s easy to understand why 6-string banjos have become such a hit among guitarists seeking something different for strumboxing: their guitar-like tuning makes playing it very similar to standard acoustic guitar, while fingerboards typically feature radiused edges to make the instrument as comfortable and familiar as possible for players coming from guitar backgrounds.
However, this does have its downsides: When fingerpicked with a 6-string banjo’s six strings plucked simultaneously by its fingerpicked guitarist counterparts, fingerpicked patterns that depend on open strings for more than half a beat may sound weak and may require additional strings to sustain long enough to play through more than half an album’s worth of songs may sound strained or weak. A capo can help alleviate this by shortening vibrational frequency or installing model railroad spikes at various frets on the neck to achieve similar effects; alternatively some players install model railroad spikes to achieve similar effects – they also add model railroad spikes at various frets to create similar effects.
Build and Materials
Modern 6-string banjos often feature solid maple bodies and come equipped with resonators that increase volume and sustain. You may be able to find one without one for less money; however, many of these wall decorations cannot be played.
Resonators can impede with the neck’s ability to articulate, making playing more difficult. You should also carefully consider which strings you will use on your banjo: wound strings require greater tension but tend to last longer; some brands even employ tubular poly coating for added tone color and durability.
Your ideal banjo should feature an amplifier pickup for live or studio performances with an amp, such as those offered by LR Baggs, Fishman and Kavanjo. A quality gig bag or hardshell case containing your instrument should also include an adjustable shoulder strap to facilitate carrying it while walking or riding.
New Vs. Used
When purchasing a 6-string banjo, used is often best. That way you can better evaluate its condition and function – not to mention, more affordable price tags!
Used models often come equipped with a non-removable back resonator that increases volume, making the instrument perfect for banjos that lack sufficient sustain to sound great on its own. This increases volume without increasing volume distortion – something particularly helpful on banjos that don’t provide enough sustain themselves.
A banjo’s neck is another key component. While it can be hard to tell from photos alone how well-made the neck is, true craftsmanship requires real expertise and quality control for creating one worth the cost of purchasing new.
Likewise, the depth of the nut slot and tuning pegs and bridge are both equally critical components. A mishandling here could affect how well the banjo strings stay in tune and tone; furthermore, pegs and bridge can affect how easy it is to play as well as string tension. Some players use plain steel strings while others prefer wound or hex-shaped ones for their instrument; tubular polyweb strings made by Elixir may add depth of tone.
Online Retailers
Some 6-string banjo models and brands come with additional accessories, including gig bags or hardshell cases, straps, strings and picks to help novice players start out right. These bundles may be particularly beneficial to newcomers looking to learn this exciting instrument.
An essential aspect of banjo purchasing is the quality of its neck. A banjo with an ergonomic, straight, durable neck makes playing much simpler; one with an unattractive or cheap-looking one could soon break or become unusable, though. As it’s harder to tell the difference between world-class necks and junky, cheap ones from pictures alone, reading reviews carefully before purchasing is wise.
If the banjo contains a resonator, make sure that its quality can stand up. Resonators can increase or decrease volume depending on their design – adding volume or redirecting sound towards you more directly; for a backless banjo with no resonator option consider leaving this part off altogether.