No matter what style of music you enjoy playing – from rhythmic bluegrass chopping to folk and clawhammer, open back banjos offer a versatile tonal canvas. Take note of what differentiates open back from resonator models.
Tone rings, metal discs that rest atop the banjo head or rim, play an integral part in defining its tone and sound. Their design and weight determine its sound production capabilities.
Choosing a banjo
While buying banjos online or from discount music stores is certainly possible, be aware that you may need to return multiple models before finding one that sounds good – banjos tend to be temperamental instruments when it comes to setup, with some cheaper models lacking adequate sound when they have high string action.
The human ear is the receptor for waves of compression and rarefaction that strike our tympanic membrane (ear drum) before being transmitted via three tiny bones to our inner ears where they’re deciphered into frequencies, cadences, and amplitudes – that’s how we know when hearing banjo versus broken glass sounds different.
An open back banjo offers different acoustic properties than its resonator counterpart, prompting some bluegrass pickers to specialize in only one style of banjo. Furthermore, its tone will vary depending on where a player chooses to pick: closer to the bridge will yield brighter and crispier tones while selecting nearer the neck will yield rounder, warmer tones.
The body
Similar to choosing the body of a car, banjo bodies can significantly impact its sound. You may find it helpful to select one with an attractive tone ring that meets your personal playing style and sound preferences.
The tone ring of a banjo is an integral component of its sound; composed of metal or wood and configured differently depending on its design, it rests or attaches directly beneath its head, resting or connected by strings to rest or attach onto its top rim. This part of its tone determines its volume, clarity or darkness as part of your banjo’s overall tone.
Another consideration should be your choice to use or not use a resonator banjo. Resonators can be quite loud, making it less suitable if you live in a dorm or need to play without disturbing others. Luckily, there are mutes available for resonator banjos which can easily fit over the bridge to muffle sound and reduce volume levels for quieter performance.
The neck
A banjo neck is one of the most crucial components. A thicker or thinner one will sound different, all other factors being equal, due to resonance of wood used for making each instrument. When manufacturing large quantities, though, manufacturers won’t always use wood from one tree and region each time; consequently necks won’t necessarily match perfectly between banjos.
Open back banjos typically weigh less than their resonator counterparts and can be an excellent choice for someone seeking a Bluegrass banjo without the weight of a large tone ring. Furthermore, open backs work great when playing clawhammer banjos without three finger picks as well as clawhammer old time and frailing styles played mainly using three finger picks. Resonators however will make your instrument significantly louder compared to open back banjos; you can always remove or alter its components to reduce its loudness if desired. If that bothers you then remove or modify its components accordingly if desired to create quieter sounds on this instrument!
The resonator
Resonators are wooden chambers attached to the back of banjo bodies and used to increase volume by absorbing some of its sound waves, making it easier for other musicians and listeners alike to recognize an artist’s virtuosic solos.
Resonators don’t necessarily make banjos better; rather, their utility depends on the genre of music a musician plans on performing. Bluegrass musicians may prefer using one as it helps them play louder.
Clawhammer banjo players typically prefer an open-back banjo due to its soft and quieter sound and lighter weight. This could be important when performing for hire as a wandering minstrel, or practicing their banjo in their dorm room without disturbing other students – they can always purchase a mute which fits over the bridge so it will make it harder for people outside to hear what you’re playing!